More vendors set for 2nd annual Fort Smith Food Truck Festival
by May 23, 2025 9:58 am 771 views
The Fort Smith Downtown Business Association and Bar & Restaurant Committee will “proudly present” the 2nd Annual Fort Smith Food Truck Festival on June 21, at 601 Garrison Ave.
Organizers are hoping the festival will be bigger than the first festival in 2024 held in the city’s Downtown Entertainment District.
Like last year’s festival, this 2025 event should offer “awesome downtown vibes and shopping at local stores” according to Stephanie Nugent, director of the Fort Smith Downtown Business Association.
The festival in 2024 had 14 food vendors, live music from Big Al and the Blues Cats, and promised “to be a highlight of the summer, uniting the community in a celebration of food, music, and local culture.” According to the festival’s numbers in 2024, roughly “394 people decided to attend.” This number is expected to grow for the 2025 festival.
According to Nugent, the vendor list is growing, with Dave’s Iron Skillet, Smoky B’s, Southern Sippin’, Brew House, Boujee Lemon, Southern Spice Mobile Kitchen, Tropical Whip, Beaver Tails Pastry, and Squeezy’s Fresh Lemonade planning to participate.
According to festival organizers, the festival “is set to ignite Downtown Fort Smith with an unforgettable culinary extravaganza. This eagerly anticipated event brings together a vibrant lineup of food trucks, each offering a unique fusion of flavors that reflect the city’s rich and diverse culinary heritage.” Talks of a live DJ are in the works dependent on sponsorships.
“We really need more sponsors,” Nugent said.
Along with food and the hopes of music, shopping will be open for those looking to explore downtown. The 2nd Annual Food Truck Festival is said to be “perfect for foodies, families, and fun-seekers” and hopes to be “a community gathering that showcases the heart and soul of Downtown Fort Smith” according to event organizers.
“The area is an entertainment district so there is alcohol available in the local bars and you can bring it out and have it with your food,” Nugent said.
She said the association has worked to design the festival so that it is welcoming to all.
Other activities sponsored by the Fort Smith Downtown Business Association throughout the year include the Fort Smith Downtown Pass, St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl, Car Show, Fort Smith Fall Festival + Oktoberfest, Fort Smith Downtown Cocoa Crawl, and the New Years Eve Ball Drop.