Photos and story by Rick Hiduk
(Exclusive to Endless Mountains Lifestyles)
An uncommonly beautiful Friday evening drew hundreds of people to the first Food Truck Friday event of the year. Gary Carl and Joseph Michael were the performers at the debut event, which is held at Creekside Gardens in Eatonville.
Organizers of the Tunkhannock Farmers Market lucked out on June 14 when weather predictions for a rainless Friday night turned out to be true. With temperatures hovering in the 70s, throngs of people made their way to the site in Eaton Township along Route 29 for the first Food Truck Friday event of the summer season.
“The stars certainly aligned as far as the weather went,” said Sherri Kuckucka, co-owner of Creekside Gardens, which hosts both Food Truck Friday and the Farmers Market. Sherri’s parents live in State College and have rarely missed the event, which is in it’s third year. “People who have been here are bringing friends.”
Key coordinators are Bill and Amanda Banta, who own and operate Rowlands Pennsylvania Produce in Exeter Township. Amanda related that Food Truck fans told her they keep coming back “just seeing neighbors that they don’t always get to see. It’s a really good community event.” “It’s very heartwarming to see people here of all ages and from all walks of life having a good time,” Sherri added.
The Bantas have a dozen local growers lined up for the opening day of Farmers Market, which runs from 10 am to 2 pm. The Farmers Market will run weekly through October. Additional vendors will be added as their vegetables and fruits are ready for market.
Penn State’s Master Gardeners will be set up this weekend to provide information on how to get the most out of your vegetable gardens.
Food Truck Friday featuring a variety of food vendors and live music is schedule again for July 12, Aug 9, and Sept. 13. The Bantas announced that there will be more food offerings at future events. The first night caught a few vendors off guard, Amanda noted, and they were under-prepared for the enormous crowd.
The Return, who offer a repertoire of country and ’90s acoustic rock, are scheduled to entertain. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets, but limited picnic table space is also available.
Longtime friends, the Bantas and Kukuchkas enjoy working with each other and promoting each other’s endeavors on their respective websites and Facebook pages.
“We’re grateful that the Market and Food Truck Friday are here,” said Sherri. “We encourage everyone to support their local farmers and enjoy what is grown locally.”
For more information, follow Food Truck Friday and Tunkhannock Farmers Market on Facebook.
(To learn more about the Banta’s business, click here: http://www.endlessmtnlifestyles.com/?p=10649 )
(To learn more about Creekside Gardens, where the Butterfly House is now open, click here: http://www.endlessmtnlifestyles.com/?p=10629 )