Camille Broadway
People looking for food truck rally fun this weekend have at least two options within about a block and a half of each other in downtown Gainesville.
The city of Gainesville along with MA Latin Entertainment and First Magnitude Brewing Company are hosting The Food Truck Rally Arts & Crafts Extravaganza on Saturday. The event from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Downtown GNV Commons (100 SW First Ave.) features food and brews as well as local artists selling jewelry, clothing, home décor and other arts and crafts.
If live local music is more your jam or a food truck crawl is in your weekend plans, The Original Gainesville Food Truck rally will crank up at 5 p.m. on Saturday at the High Dive (210 SW Second Ave.) and run through 10 p.m.
The Original Gainesville Food Truck Rally, which restarted in January, will feature several local artists playing on an inside stage and area food trucks in the surrounding outdoor spaces in an event that benefits Grace Marketplace, a local group dedicated to reducing homelessness in Gainesville and Alachua County.
Trucks appearing at The Food Truck Rally Arts & Crafts Extravaganza include: Ahar Twisted Tikka, Crave Hot Dogs + BBQ, Curry Coma, DeCorah, La Maracucha, Latin Food Blessing, LuLu’s Gelato, Foodology, Gourmet on the Go, Germain’s, Terryle Dukes and Vegan Gator.
Several of the trucks take food inspiration from around the world, such as India, Italy, Puerto Rico, Peru, and Venezuela. Some of the food offerings will be empanadas, mofongo, burgers, hot dogs, steak, ceviche, tikka masala, vindaloo, gelato, cachapas, and pastelitos.
Trucks appearing at The Original Food Truck Rally include: B’z Gelati, Charlies Snow Shack, Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ, Filipino Flavors, Dank Cakes, Mystery Masala, Off the Griddle, Soul Hibachi and Soul Spice. Food served at the event will include hot dogs, barbecue, lumpia, bao buns, falafel wraps, pad thai, empanadas, arepas, samosas, chicken tikka masala, Hawaiian shaved ice, and gelati.
Multiple vegetarian and vegan dishes will be available at both events. Admission to the rallies is free, but bring cash and credit/debit cards to purchase food and drink at the events.