The final Park-it in the Market Food Truck Rodeo of the Holly Springs Farmers Market's season is going to be big – really big – so big, the Town of Holly Springs is closing South Main St. between Ballentine and Center streets to make room for the 15 food trucks.
The rodeo will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Holly Springs Farmers Market in the downtown Village District. In addition to the food truck rodeo sponsored by the Villages at Pecan Grove, visit the vendors inside the farmers market for additional prepared food offerings (without such a long wait), fresh produce and local foods that regular market patrons have enjoyed throughout the season. Live music begins at 8:30 a.m. with Steve Granger, acoustic guitarist. At 10:30 a.m., the Fairview Ramblers, a local country/pop/Motown band, takes the stage. The group performs until the market closes and the rodeo ends.
"The Park-it in the Market Food Truck Rodeo is one of our market's most popular events," said Gina Clapp, director of the Town's Department of Planning & Zoning, which manages the market. "It attracts so many people to our market and to downtown Holly Springs."
After purchasing some food-truck fixin's, patrons are invited to step inside the farmers market to hospitality tents offering tables and chairs. Free children’s activities will be offered inside the market as well.
"The main reason we hold the food truck rodeo is to draw more visitors into our farmers market," Clapp said. "So, after you enjoy food from the trucks, walk around our market and see what it has to offer."
The South Main St. closure in front of Town Hall and the Holly Springs Baptist Church will begin at 7 a.m. Main Street will reopen following the event but at the latest by 2 p.m. as, due to safety concerns, some food trucks need to wait for hot cooking items to cool before driving away. Throughout the event, traffic will be rerouted along local streets.
Parking for the rodeo will be in downtown lots, including those beside Town Hall and along Avent Ferry. Parking also is available along nearby streets and at the Holly Springs Cultural Center.
"We're expecting a crowd, so please be patient and prepared to walk," Clapp said.
Consider coming early, as popular trucks may sell out.
Food trucks at the rodeo will include:
- All American Food Truck: Cheeseburgers, cheese steaks, pita pockets and more.
- Bam Pow Chow: Unique tacos, beer-battered deep-fried hot dogs, cronuts.
- Big C Waffles: The ultimate waffle experience.
- Chez Moi: Brown sugar vanilla rum cake, panna cotta and other desserts.
- CJ's Street Food: Korean BBQ and Asian fusion tacos, burritos, and rice bowls.
- CockaDoodleMoo: Traditional and global BBQ, and gourmet sandwiches with fresh, all natural and local ingredients.
- Cousins Maine Lobster: Numerous Maine lobster dishes, whoopee pies, more.
- Crazy-G's: "Crazy good grub" including cheese steaks, cheesy chicken and hot dogs, and saucy Italian stuffer sandwiches.
- Dusty Donuts: Hot, fresh mini donuts, coffee, cocoa and lemonade.
- Kona Ice: Shaved ice and ice cream.
- Lee's Kitchen: "A taste of Jamaica with a touch of soul."
- Mama Bird's Cookies + Cream: Homemade ice cream, decadent cookies and other occasional desserts.
- Smokin J's BBQ Truck: Hickory-smoked pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken and ribs.
- Stuft: Gourmet stuffed baked potatoes.
- Valentino's: "The best meatballs on four wheels!"
- The Wandering Moose: Slow-cooked meats, scratch-made sauces and fresh sides.
The Farmers Market has come a long way since it opened in 2006 to become a favorite family-friendly event in Holly Springs. Each season the market's customer base grows. Last year, more than 20,000 customers visited the vibrant market on Main Street, which offers some of the freshest produce and specialty foods in the Triangle. The market offers meats, a variety of baked goods and prepared foods, local roasted coffee, homemade ice cream, popcorn, nuts, a variety of jams and jellies, mustard, pickles, sauces – even homemade dog treats. Completing the market experience are all-natural bath and body vendors.
The market is supported by sponsors, including this year's blue ribbon sponsor, GMA Supply. Located in the Holly Springs Business Park, GMA began as an online business selling door hardware and plumbing fixtures. Now in business for more than 12 years, they have expanded into a full service, turnkey enterprise selling building tools and equipment, windows, doors, and more.
For more information, click here to visit the Holly Springs Farmers Market online.