Quincy's food truck festival will be back this October
QUINCY – Tacos, beer, music and magic tricks will return to Coddington Street this October for the fourth city-run Quincy Food Truck and Music Festival.
John McDonald, events coordinator for Quincy, said the city took over the festival five years ago and changed it from a privately run event at Pageant Field to the Coddington Street blowout it is today.
The festival was canceled last year because of the pandemic, and McDonald said residents and food truck operators are hungry to reunite.
The festival will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 2. There will be five children's entertainers performing on the lawn of the Thomas Crane Library, five bands rotating nearer to the high school and as many as 25 food trucks lining the street. McDonald said there will be something for everyone.
"People may grab lunch, see a band, walk to a historic site and then say, 'Hey, let's grab a slice of pizza from a truck or get dinner in downtown Quincy,'" he said. "I find that people are making a whole day of it or even coming in from out of town on the Red Line. It's accessible to families and groups, and there are a wide variety of options."
McDonald said that since the city took over, he works directly with food truck operators and skips the agents and bookers. The simple process means an easier time for truck owners, he said, and the festival has never struggled to book all types of cuisines.
"Because the city is very much about the community and not making money off of the events, we became one of the premier events of the year because the food trucks get to keep 100 percent of their profits, so they are very happy to come," McDonald said.
He said truck owners often have to pay for a slot at the bigger events, and there is no guarantee they'll get a good spot or not be placed directly next to a similar truck.
"I make sure to spread it out. There are a lot of dessert trucks, a beer and wine truck and I make sure that the different ethnicities we have in Quincy are touched upon," McDonald sad.
As many as 5,000 people have descended on the city for previous festivals.
McDonald is looking for food trucks for both the festival and the city's PorchFest event on Saturday, Sept. 25. Those interested can email him at events@quincyma.gov or call 617-404-6078.
Original Source: https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2021/07/06/food-trucks-festival-music-returning-quincy-october-2021/7865077002/
