The Columbus Food Truck Festival runs Saturday, August 21 from 11 a.m.—11 p.m. and Sunday, August 22 from 12 p.m. —7 p.m. and is located at the Franklin County Fairgrounds 4100 Columbia St, Hilliard, OH 43026.
The festival showcases delicious and unique fare from 50+ gourmet food trucks from Ohio and across the Midwest. All of these businesses are eager and excited to finally be able to get back to “business.” “The mobile food industry relies heavily on events like the Columbus Food Truck Festival to make their bottom lines. The shut-downs impacted this industry tremendously,” said Kaplan. “We are glad to be able to help in a small way by holding the festival this year, and hope central Ohio foodies come out and support these small businesses.”
The Midwest’s Premier Food Truck Festival Celebrates Ten Year
Anniversary and Makes Much Anticipated Return August 21–22, 2021
Organizers implementing ticketing for crowd management and announcing new location for the 2021 event. Tickets are now available at ColumbusFoodTruckFest.com.
Columbus, OH—June 15, 2021 — The pair behind the Midwest’s premier food truck event, Chas Kaplan and Mike Gallicchio, are thrilled to announce the return of the Columbus Food Truck Festival. The event, celebrating ten years in 2021, is set to take place on Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds located in Hilliard, Ohio.
Originally set to take place along the Scioto Mile in Downtown Columbus, the event is relocating this year to the Franklin County Fairgrounds primarily due to permit timing. “Planning for such a large-scale event like the Columbus Food Truck Festival is a year-round endeavor and the city was holding on event permitting until June due to COVID-19...and we totally understand that,” said Co-organizer Mike Gallicchio. He continued, “because we work with over 100 small businesses and entrepreneurs, we owe it to them to give them as much time as possible to make business decisions.”
In addition to a move to the Franklin County Fairgrounds, enhanced safety protocols such as ticketing will be implemented this year to allow for capacity monitoring. “Ticketing the event allows us to control the flow of guests into the festival to prevent it from overcrowding,” said Co-organizer Chas Kaplan. “It also allows us to plan better for seating areas and other accommodations like hand-washing stations and restroom facilities.”
The festival showcases delicious and unique fare from 50+ gourmet food trucks from Ohio and across the Midwest. All of these businesses are eager and excited to finally be able to get back to “business.” “The mobile food industry relies heavily on events like the Columbus Food Truck Festival to make their bottom lines. The shut-downs impacted this industry tremendously,” said Kaplan. “We are glad to be able to help in a small way by holding the festival this year, and hope central Ohio foodies come out and support these small businesses.”
Complimenting the wonderful food, the festival boasts over two dozen artisans and crafters and offers live music throughout the weekend on two stages with performances by hometown favorites like Angela Perley and The Howlin’ Moons, Willie Phoenix, The Winnie Cooper Project, and Anna & The Consequences. Many more acts to be announced in the coming weeks.
The festival would be amiss if it didn’t have a special activity area for the youngest foodies in attendance. The Hilliard Historical Village located on the fairgrounds will be a respite for the kiddos with activities and a play area to burn off some energy.
New additions to the festival this year include additional seating throughout the grounds, a covered seating area, a covered acoustic pavilion, increased handwashing stations, and complimentary onsite parking* with a ticket. *Parking is limited and on a first come, first served basis for ticket holders. On-street parking is also conveniently located around the Franklin County Fairgrounds.
Tickets are $5 for adults and can be purchased at ColumbusFoodTruckFest.com. Children 12 years of age and younger receive complimentary admission, but must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. Guests are strongly encouraged to get their tickets before heading to the event as this event is anticipated to sell out.
A portion of the proceeds from the festival benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio and Music Loves Ohio. Both non-profits have an established history of serving children and families in and around Central Ohio.
The festival will be following all local health orders. As of June 15, 2021*, it is recommended by local public health officials and the CDC that all unvaccinated guests including children 2 years of age and older are strongly encouraged to wear a mask when in indoor spaces. In addition, all festival attendees should follow health and safety best practices including frequent hand washing, and social distancing. *Subject to change as required by local health departments.
HOURS AND GENERAL INFORMATION SUMMARY
The Columbus Food Truck Festival runs Saturday, August 21 from 11 a.m.—11 p.m. and Sunday, August 22 from 12 p.m. —7 p.m. and is located at the Franklin County Fairgrounds 4100 Columbia St, Hilliard, OH 43026.
Tickets are $5 for adults. Children 12 years of age and younger are complementary, but must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. The event is rain or shine.
For directions, the complete list of participating mobile food vendors, as well as the schedule of activities, and musicians, please visit ColumbusFoodTruckFest.com or the festival’s Facebook at @colsfoodtruckfest.
Vendors/Entertainers/Sponsors
Those interested in becoming a vendor, artist, entertainer, or sponsor for the event should contact Mike Gallicchio or Chas Kaplan at [email protected].
ABOUT THE COLUMBUS FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
The two-day event, named Best Foodie Event in the state by Ohio Magazine in 2017, features the best mobile food vendors from throughout the region as well as arts and crafts vendors, and dozens of bands on two stages.
While the festival’s mission is to support food tourism in the Central Ohio area and support small business, another very essential component to the festival is to help build awareness and support local non-profit organizations that serve the Central Ohio community. This year, the festival’s charitable partners include Music Loves Ohio and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. “Both of these non-profit organizations give so much to the community and we want to support their efforts,” said Kaplan.
Find them online at ColumbusFoodTruckFest.com and on Facebook at @colsfoodtruckfest.
ABOUT THE FRANKLIN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS AND THE FRANKLIN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Franklin County Fairgrounds is operated by the Franklin County Agricultural Society. The objectives of the Society are the improvement of agriculture, horticulture, better livestock, uniform domestic science and art, and the promotion of youth activities, and the general community betterment together with all other industrial, commercial, and educational interests of the County.
The Franklin County Fairgrounds is located at 4100 Columbus Street, Hilliard, OH 43026. For more information about the Franklin County Agricultural Society and the Franklin County Fairgrounds visit them online at fcfair.org.
ABOUT MUSIC LOVES OHIO
Music Loves Ohio is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides opportunities for Central Ohio youth to pursue their passion for music. Their financial assistance is focused on music education classrooms (public schools, private schools, and after school programs) and providing instruments to financially underserved students in Central Ohio.
For more information about Music Loves Ohio, visit them online at musiclovesohio.org.
ABOUT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CENTRAL OHIO
For more than three decades, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC) has been keeping families close at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House. From its beginnings as a grassroots movement established by a partnership between volunteers and local McDonald’s Owner/Operators, the charity has served thousands of families in their deepest times of need.
For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, visit them online at rmhc-centralohio.org.
ABOUT DESTINATION HILLIARD/HILLIARD OHIO
Hilliard, Ohio is a thriving community of more than 33,000 residents. Residents and corporate citizens enjoy dependable city and safety services, a highly rated public-school system, scenic parks and trails, terrific recreational programs and a variety of safe and attractive neighborhoods. Situated just west of the Scioto River along I-270, Hilliard is only a 15 to 20-minute commute to downtown Columbus. With roots that began as a village built in 1869 around the railroad station, Hilliard has grown into a city full of local pride and history.
For more information about Hilliard, Ohio, activities, accommodations, and attractions, please visit them online at destinationhilliard.com.
All ticket sales are final, no refunds and the event is rain or shine. No Re-Entry, if you would like join for both days please purchase a ticket for you to use each day.
All Items are non-refundable, All Sales are final. No Re-Entry, if you would like join for both days please purchase 2 tickets.
All Items are non-refundable, All Sales are final.
If the event has to postpone or cancel due to CDC, State and County - Covid protocols we will roll over ticket purchases to the following years event.
This is a rain or shine event.
Children 12 years of age and younger are complementary, but must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.
