By Susan Schrock | Star-Telegram.com
ARLINGTON – With dozens of vendors selling fare ranging from sugary cupcakes to spicy Korean dishes, organizers say visitors to a new food truck festival planned at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington this spring should arrive with a Texas-sized appetite.
The first Texas Food Truckin’ Fest, set for April 26 and April 27, will feature more than 50 food trucks, live music and other activities at the ballpark. The event, which organizers say will be held annually, is a partnership between Texas Rangers Enterprises, U.S. Food Trucks and Experience Arlington, a nonprofit organization contracted by the city to promote tourism.
“We want to bring a lot more people into Arlington to see what can be done at the ballpark even when there is not a game,” said Decima Cooper, public relations and communications director for Experience Arlington. “A lot of people think of us as a seasonal destination. If there is not a game going on, what else is there to do?”
The festival is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. April 26 and from noon to 10 p.m. April 27. The ballpark will be open for festival-goers to enjoy their food and live music in the stands, Cooper said.
Adults pay $10 for a one-day pass or $12 for a two-day pass. Children ages 12 and under are $5 and children who under 32 inches are free. Parking is also free.
Organizers say 15 percent of the attendance proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.
“We all know Arlington knows how to do events on a grand scale, this one will be the largest Food Truck Fest in the state. Foodies from all over will have the chance to experience Arlington in a whole different way,” Cooper said.
Participating food trucks include Simply Dosa, Bombay Chopstix, Oink and Moo, Tin Star Taco Taxi, Taste of Home, Eat Jo Dawgs, Pompeii DFW, First Bite, Yellow Bellow and Tutta’s Pizza.
“Korean, cupcakes, tacos, bakery – name it and it has a food truck,” Cooper said. “Who doesn’t love gourmet food?”
