The founder of the Fargo Food Truck Festival had a crazy idea back in 2013. The idea was to host an event to feature just mobile food vendors at a venue that he managed.
“We were kind of ahead of our time,” said Mike Schmitz. “There weren’t many Food Trucks in our state.”
Fast forward just about two years, and the Festival exploded in popularity and became the engine for other Food Truck event variations throughout the state. When Covid hit in 2020, the statewide fleet gathered to create a sense of normal in several North Dakota communities. “We created the Fargo Drive-Thru Food Truck Festival, mini-events, and gatherings in additional markets.”
In fact, the Fargo Drive-Thru Festival was the first public event held in-state after the lockdown and was ultimately duplicated by none other than the Minnesota State Fair, later that summer.
“We’ve actually made it harder for ourselves, because of the popularity of some of these vendors. I see that as a positive,” says Schmitz. “Our 10th year is going to include a strong contingency of vendors from the past, new Trucks you’ve never seen before, and some 1 & 2-day pop-ups.” That includes one of those trailblazing Trucks from the first season and some of the most award-winning vendors from our region.
The festival will be something new every day, partially because of the pop-ups and because of the daily Food Truck competitions. Friday’s Sweet Tooth Taste Test consists of vendors making a $3-4 sweet treat. Then rise and shine for the Bloody Mary Matchup, $3 bloody mary skewers from select trucks. Sunday pits participating pork purveyors against each other in the Makin’ Bacon Challenge.
Lots of culinary wonders each day, in addition to other events held concurrently at the Fairgrounds. Red River Valley Speedway’s race card starts at 7 pm Friday. Saturday brings STEM Alliance’s STEM EXPO to the Butler Building 7:15 am – 4:15 pm with free admission. The North Dakota Renaissance Fair will conclude its season with events from 10 am – 6 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
“There’s so much to see, do, and taste all over the grounds each day,” added Cody Cashman, RRVF CEO.
