By John Brice
Correspondent
Downtown LaFayette on the courthouse square was the location of a Food Truck Festival sponsored by Main Street LaFayette that was the scene of a huge turnout from the local community during the early evening hours of Friday, May 12th 2023. Scores of hungry visitors formed long lines fanning out from the trucks that were parked along the lengths of Alabama Avenue East and 1st Street Southeast. Vendor tables were set up on the opposite side of the streets that were cordoned off from vehicle traffic to create a pedestrian only zone that also included a large seating area for dining adjacent to a flatbed trailer serving as a stage for live music.
Food Trucks participating in the event which featured free admission to the public included Mr. Mori Hibachi Express Food Truck of Auburn, Mary’s Grilled Chicken Wraps of Lanett, Rollin’ Rackz Bar-B-Que of LaFayette parked on Alabama Avenue East and The Chill Spot of Auburn, Dani’s Cheesecake of Opelika, Zo’s Food Shack of Opelika, JR Crickets of Columbus and Mr. Frosty’s Ice Cream of Valley on 1st Street Southeast.
Alongside the food trucks were local merchants including Grandma Val’s Lemonade of Auburn, Sub Zero Sweets of LaFayette, Winn & Dut of LaFayette, Point Broadband and ADT as well as vendor tables offering snacks like trail mix, chocolate covered oreos, cheese straws, ginger snaps, pecan sandies, forgotten cookies with white chocolate as well as backpacks, purses, sign decor, jewelry and self care products.
Children were entertained by bubble blowing, sidewalk chalk and freshly made cotton candy while the entire crowd enjoyed live music from Ryan Thorn, Ryan Meadows and Dean Sheffield who played familiar tunes such as Last Dance with Mary Jane from Tom Petty and Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show and DJ music was provided by Gator Kincaid.
Community leaders joined local residents in support of the event including Chambers County Sheriff Jeff Nelson, LaFayette City Attorney Mac Tucker, LaFayette Fire & EMS Chief James Doody, LaFayette City Councilman from District C Toney B. Thomas, Code Enforcement Officer Kim Langley, Chambers County Development Authority Deputy Director Chris Busby, Powell Chapel United Methodist Church Pastor Kelsey Barnes and LaFayette Main Street Executive Director Deanna Hand.
Celebrating the success of the festival, LaFayette Main Street posted on their official facebook page “A huge thank you to the City of LaFayette Street and Sanitation Department and Superintendent George Green for all their hard work during our Food Truck Festival! Our downtown streets were clean before and after our event because of their hard work and attendance. Their support along with our City Council, Mayor Vines and City Clerk Louis Davidson was phenomenal and much appreciated. Thanks again!”