It's going to be a great way to experience the whole food truck phenomenon in the 'Wack next month.
The first Fraser Valley Food Truck Festival is Saturday, April 12 at Chilliwack Heritage Park with a focus on food, live music and family fun.
So far there are about a dozen trucks signed up, said organizer Laine Ogilvie, an event planner from Maple Ridge.
She's hoping to have 20 trucks on display by the time the festival starts, and they're offering admission for a toonie.
"It's a festival for food trucks, and a gathering for foodies and families."
People can purchase samples, and truck owners can build followers.
Food truck culture has exploded across North America with the advent of food TV shows like Eat Street.
They are holding another similar food truck festival in Cloverdale on April 26 to see how it goes from there.
"If successful, we'll build on this and bring it to different communities," Ogilvie said.
The only Chilliwack food truck entry is Poomba's Smokehouse offering house-smoked pulled pork by Jason Layton.
Layton is thrilled about the idea for a festival based around food trucks, and he said he'll be glad to be there.
Live music will be by the Johnson Brothers, a five-piece country and classic rock act from Abbotsford. There will be a beer garden on-site as well.
The Food Truck events in Vancouver and New West later this summer again, are always a huge draw, said Jason Layton.
"We were at Celtic Fest and had a blast," he said.
Layton built his Poomba's pulled pork truck and smoker to be mobile, and enjoys doling out tender pulled-pork sandwiches and sliders, with his homemade Carolina style barbecue sauce, and a side of homemade cole slaw.
"It's more tangy than sweet since it's a vinegar based sauce," he offers.
Poomba's will be at the Chilliwack Air Show and Party in the Park, as well as the Classic Car Show.
"I go wherever I can, but Chilliwack events get first priority with me since that's my hometown."
From everyone he's chatted with, they want access to more food trucks.
"It's a great way for folks to try out some different food."
At the festival, confirmed trucks include Big Red Poutine, Slavic Rolls, Fidjian Fusion, The Place Next Door, and Wilkyz Grill.
"Quite a few of the vendors have been talking about the Chilliwack event and numerous food truck guys asked me about it since it's a first time event."
For the kids, there's face painting, balloon artist, mini putt, bean bag toss and bubbles.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
Twitter.com/chwkjourno