MAYOR: Jasper's New Food Truck Event to Offer Residents and Visitors New Food Options Within the City Limits

BY: DAVID SHEPHERD, NEWS DIRECTOR

JASPER -- The City of Jasper will launch a new food truck event in May called Downtown Chowdown.

Downtown Chowdown will have multiple food truck vendors from throughout the region serving a variety of foods, live music sponsored by Smithville Fiber, Farmers’ Market vendors, late shopping hours, games, and great conversations in a laid-back setting.  Bring your family, friends, and co-workers and come “chowdown”!

"Currently, we have 9 food truck vendors participating in our event," says Lisa Bower with the mayor’s office.  "We are currently waiting on all of the permits to come through before we announce who will be attending the event."  

The Downtown Chowdown Events will be held on the second Wednesday of the month from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., rain or shine.  There will be a variety of foods, live entertainment and a Farmer’s Market selling food items.

"It all came about when we had our "Touch-a-Truck" event and we had food trucks there.  It seemed very popular," explains Bower.  "Then, once the food truck ordinance passed, it just went from there."

Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide believes this is a good first step in bringing new dining options to city residents.  "Quality of Life means you've got many things to choose from.  What we kept hearing is that we need more food options," the mayor says.  "While we may not be able to put brick and mortar up right now, if we can get these food trucks to come and be successful at the events we host, someday, they may invest in Jasper and put a restaurant in so, it's a good start."

The event will be held the second Wednesday of the month from 6:00pm – 9:00pm starting on May 13th, rain or shine, on the square in downtown Jasper.  A list of dates is listed below:

Wednesday, May 13th

Wednesday, June 10th

Wednesday, July 8th

Wednesday, August 12th

Wednesday, September 9th

Wednesday, October 14th