The city of Kimmswick has started holding Food Truck Fridays on the second Friday of the month.
The events began in July, and organizers planned to hold them through October. However, after the success of the first new food truck nights, the town added two more months to the schedule and will now hold the events on Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.
Food Truck Fridays are from 5-9 p.m. on Third Street near City Hall between Market and Elm streets.
“I am surprised and excited that it has done so well,” City Administrator Sarah Mesnage said. “It was awesome to see the turnout we had at the first two events. We have received nothing but praise from the community. Residents have said we haven’t had anything like this since they have been living here.
“It appears to be an event the residents enjoy having in town, and people from surrounding communities have been able to come and enjoy them.”
The town sets up 30 picnic tables and yard games on the City Hall field, and people are allowed to bring their own chairs, blankets and canopies.
For the September event, a screen will be set up on the field for people to watch the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
Trucks scheduled to be at the Sept. 12 event include Pure Chill Twisted Slushy’s, Roxy’s Hot Grill, Sodie Specialty Drinks, The Brunch Box, The Hangry Hub and Jr’s Tacos.
On Oct. 10, trucks scheduled to be at the event are Lil Stack Shack featuring J Dawgs, Maci’s Prime BBQ, Picture Perfect Panini, Pure Chill, Sodie Specialty Drinks, The Brunch Box, The Hangry Hub, JMF Candy, Marine Corp 707 Detachment, Jr’s Tacos and Fil-Am Fusion.
In October, Kimmswick will show its first outdoor movie in conjunction with Food Truck Fridays. The movie “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” is scheduled to start at about 7 p.m. in Kimmswick Park, at the corner of Fifth and Becket streets.
Mesnage said the town also may show movies in the park in November and December.
“If the movie nights in the park are popular, we may move up there,” she said. “That will allow for more trucks, but we have not figured out the exact space locations up there yet.”
Mesnage said two officials had discussed holding food truck nights in April and May because of the popularity of the 9 Mile Garden in Affton and Frankie Martin’s Garden in Cottleville.
She said Board of Aldermen members voted in June to hold the events.
“We started this year, kind of on short notice,” she said. “That did cause some issues in finding food trucks because the majority of them plan their seasons earlier in the year. We are grateful for the ones we did find. The trucks that jumped in with us did excellent. They sold out in July and August.
“The number of trucks are starting to expand. I think a lot of trucks were hesitant because it was a new event, and they didn’t know what to expect or if it would be worth it for them.”
Mesnage said approximately 1,000 customers came to each of the first two food truck nights. She also said some of the businesses have extended their hours on Food Truck Fridays.
“I think this will be beneficial to the city, residents and visitors,” Mesnage said. “It is an additional event that people can look forward to. I think it will eventually become a source of revenue for the city as it grows.”
Mesnage said Kimmswick charges $75 per truck. Next year, Kimmswick will hold Food Truck Fridays on the third Friday of every month from March through December.
For more information, visit cityofkimmswick.org, call 636-464-7407 or go to the City Of Kimmswick Events page on Facebook.