By MADDY VITALE
For anyone who craves a macaroni and cheese sandwich, a crab cake sandwich, a pizza cone or other tasty delights, it is just a matter of picking the day to head to Sea Isle City’s Food Truck Festival this weekend.
The hours run from Friday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. on the grounds at Kix McNutley’s on 63rd Street.
Now in its sixth year, it is one of the traditions families and tourists flock to year after year to nibble on foods and buy crafts. But amid the pandemic, Elizabeth Brown, managing partner of Stallion Marketing, the festival's organizer, said they had to scale back the popular event, with fewer vendors and to offer takeout service only.
Going to takeout is the only safe way for the event to take place this year, Brown said. Food trucks and vendors will be spaced out to ensure safety for patrons and employees.
“It was important to do the event. Sea Isle cut back on events. This is giving back some normalcy,” Brown said Thursday. “You are able to at least eat in the comfort of your own home with the people you trust, as opposed to eating in compromised situations.”
Brown added that by hosting the event, it also helps the food truck industry, which, like other service businesses, have felt the fallout of COVID-19 shutdowns.
“It is a small way to do our part to be able to bring the event to people in future years,” she pointed out. “While it has been scaled back and it is takeout only, it gives people a taste of normalcy and just a taste of what you were getting before.”
The food truck operators featured at the festival will include: Beast of the Street, JD's House Of Bacon, Chank's Grab-N-Go, Cold Stone Creamery, Grilled Cheez Factory, House of Cupcakes, Loco Gringo's Street Tacos, Nick's Roast Beef, Pazzo Pizza, Pirate Pete's Soda Pop Co., and Rolling Bones.
The Beast of the Street food truck attracts some hungry festival-goers every year.
In addition to delicious foods, Brown said they are providing live acoustic entertainment from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. via Facebook. To watch the performance visit
www.facebook.com/seaislecityfood. Additional information can also be found
www.seaislecityfood.com
“You get a little entertainment with your family,” she emphasized. “A lot of the events have gone virtual and this is in the middle.”
And for anyone who loves to shop, there will be vendors with different items.
“There some of the same great vendors and there are some crafters. We have everything from Tupperware to T-shirts and sunglasses,” Brown noted. “There are about a half a dozen vendors.”
Brown said she hopes people come out and take advantage of the takeout meals and items for sale.
“We believe takeout will allow our great visitors to still get some of their favorite foods but also do it in a responsible and safe manner,” she said. “We look forward to the day when we can put on our full festival again. But this is the best decision we can make at this time.”
Mobile ordering will be allowed at a number of the food trucks ahead of time. Full details can be found on
seaislecityfood.com. Kix McNutley’s will also be providing to-go cocktails on-site as well. Those who stop by to pick up orders are asked to:
- Wear a mask on your arrival.
- Bring a minimum of family members to complete your orders and leave when finished buying to allow other guests to take advantage of the food trucks.
- Maintain 6 feet apart when standing in line.
The Sea Isle City Food Truck Festival has twice been voted one of the 10 best food truck festivals in the country. For more information on the Sea Isle City Food Truck Festival, visit seaislecityfood.com.
This year people will still enjoy some culinary delights, but with takeout only offered.
