23 February 2022
Columbia food trucks continue to appear in big numbers every year at the Food Truck Celebrations of America’s annual Foods Truck and Craft Ale festival. “It’s funny due to all the events we perform, Columbia, S. C. is how we get the biggest reaction. They all come out of the woodwork to want to be a part of this, ” said Anthony Pepe, who owns the New England-based firm. Last year, Pepe had more than 170 Columbia food vehicles apply for the roughly thirty vendor spots. The yearly festival, which will visit Columbia in early April, takes place in the State Fairgrounds and functions 32 food trucks from the inside a 200-mile radius associated with Columbia. The vendor list functions vendors like Soda Town Market favorite The Noodle Lady to Bluffton-based Palmetto Kettle Corn. Owner associated with Palmetto Kettle Corn, Paul Downing, said the celebration is an opportunity to continue growing his popcorn business — which started in Bluffton this year and has made stops in food festivals in Savannah and Charleston.
Arts & Entertainment
Outside of the food choice, the festival will function regional beers both upon tap and canned. Ales available on tap will be through breweries like Columbia Art Brewing Company, Asheville-based Evil Weed Brewing and Sugars Creek Brewing Company through Charlotte. Canned selections can feature Columbia-brewed beers such as Steel Hands Brewing’s Espresso Lager and Swamp Diet programs Brewing Company’s Sabal Hand blonde ale. Last year, the meals Truck and Craft Ale festival was moved from the typical April date in order to July because of the uptick within COVID-19 cases at the time. Proprietor Anthony Pepe said the big event is almost entirely back to normal this year. Masks are not needed, but will be available for the particular entirely outdoor festival. Hands sanitizing stations will be situated throughout the fairgrounds and every merchant will be required to have one. The particular festival takes place right before the 3rd annual South Carolina State Fair’s drive-thru food fair, a meeting created mid-pandemic as festivals and festivals were becoming reimagined. Now, with coronavirus case numbers falling over the state, events like these are usually returning to normal.
To Do List
Seat tickets to the festival are available for buy online for $5 or even cost $10 at the door. There are also special pricing deals that offer things like beer seat tickets or included dessert.
Columbia Opinion
The festival is going to be held at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 9 and last from 12 p. m. to 5 p. m. To find out more on tickets and a complete line-up of vendors, read the organization’s website.