Celebrate Shelton hosted the Third Annual Food Trucks in the Valley at Veterans Memorial Park in Shelton with free general admission featuring 27 food trucks, chef demonstrations, live music, craft beer, a car show, kid’s activities and local handmade artisans.
In honor of Hunger Action Month, this fundraiser supported Spooner House, local food bank and homeless shelter who were collecting nonperishables, and The Mary A. Schmecker Turtle Shell Fund, supporting local arts programs.
There were an estimated 6,000 guests in attendance over the duration of the event.
Sponsors included Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us, Star 99.9, The Shelton Exchange Club, Valley Community Foundation, Conaway Design, NPI Medical, Dental Associates of CT, Shelton Car Care, Unilever, Brighindi Builders, mebCINEMA, FoodTrucksIn, Rolling Video Games of New England, New Belgium Brewing, People’s United Bank, Ned Miller Agency, JMK Training, John J. Brennan Construction and Blanchette Sporting Goods.
“This was the best turnout we have had for Food Trucks in the Valley, and the community has been so supportive during our transition to our new host, Celebrate Shelton. Nicole Mikula, Michael Skrtic and Jimmy Tickey have been a wonderful team to work with and help this fundraiser grow. I am excited to see what we will do next year,” said Veronica Parsloe, Festival Director.
For the first time, Food Trucks in the Valley presented Chef demonstrations, with local celebrities who have premiered on Food Network shows. Chef Mark Vecchitto (The Captain Daniel Packer Inne and Blue Shallot Gourmet), Chef Christopher Avtges (The Taft School/Aramark and Chopped) and Chef Jason Maur (MaurPowerFoodie and MasterChef) were given 30 minutes to create a dish using mystery ingredients from attending food trucks. Dad’s Food Truck sponsored these demos by providing all equipment. See more about final dishes here.
There were 27 food trucks in attendance, including Donut Crazy, Caseus Cheese Truck, DrewbaQ, Fryborg, Szabo’s Seafood, New Haven Pizza Truck, and Dad’s Food Truck. Foods ranged from falafel and latin fusion to gourmet burgers and lobster rolls. The menu was posted on Facebook ahead of time for guests to be aware of diet and allergen-friendly options, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. See the full menu here.
Full list of food trucks: Firedog (Shelton), Szabo’s Seafood (Shelton), DrewbaQ (Monroe), Pierogies on Wheels (Derby), The Caseus Cheese Truck (New Haven), Fryborg (New Haven), Spuds Your Way (Hamden), Dad’s Food Truck (Oxford), New Haven Pizza Truck (New Haven), Ay! Arepa (New Haven), Shoreline Prime (Branford), Firehouse Grill (Monroe), Food Extrovert (Westbrook), Taco Tequila (Hartford), Sultan Kebab (West Haven), Dee’s Flavors (Hartford), Pork Friends & Company (Meriden), 3 Chicks Grille (Hamden), Consiglio’s (New Haven), Yardbird & Co (Hartford), DiSorbo’s Bakery (Hamden), Christiano’s Mobile (North Haven), Sugar Bakery (East Haven), Ben & Jerry’s Catering (Canton), Super Softy Ice Cream (Ansonia), Donut Crazy (Shelton) and Bradley Taffy (Thomaston).
Shelton native high energy funk rock band Cabin Fever took the stage first with originals that drew a crowd enjoying both live music and a filling meal. Folk rock group The Alpaca Gnomes were admired by their “gnomies,” as their followers are called, many of whom were in attendance dancing and performing with hula hoops.
The car show grew this year, as local businesses became involved, such as Car Show Sponsor Shelton Car Care, in addition to public participation. Trumbull resident David Carter won the People’s Choice Award with 49 votes for his 1983 Pro Street Camaro. There were cars from BMW of Bridgeport, such as the 2017 i8 series, and ACI Dynamix with custom cars, including a Lamborghini and Mustang.
Kids activities included Rolling Video Games of New England with free video games, hula hooping with BringtheHoopla, face painting with Put On a Happy Face, and caricature artist JT Art and Design. Other vendors included Reid’s BBQ sauces and rubs, Southern Connecticut Chiropractic with free spinal screenings, Matt Scott Art, 203 Coffee and Tea, Clips and Giggles Bows, Oronoque Farms Gift & Bakery, Brookfield Craft Center and American Red Cross.
Food Trucks in the Valley, LLC would like to thank all volunteers, staff and community supporters, including the City of Shelton, Shelton Parks & Recreation, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce and The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Please save the date for Celebrate Shelton’s upcoming Downtown Handmade Market on Sunday, October 2nd 11 AM to 4 PM, which includes handmade artisans from around Connecticut. The Market is located in the Conti Building at 415 Howe Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484. See more here.
Celebrate Shelton Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateShelton/
Celebrate Shelton website: http://www.celebrateshelton.com/
You can follow Food Trucks in the Valley, LLC. on social media here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoodTrucksintheValley/
Twitter: @ValleyFTs
Instagram: ValleyFoodTrucks
