There was some dispute over a large ice cream sandwich at Sunday’s food truck jamboree at the St. Albert Grain Elevator Park.
A little girl lamented her brother’s appetite. Already, he had taken “two large bites” from the dessert. After seeing the sandwich, which was about the size of a big man’s fist crammed between two large chocolate-chip cookies, their parents did not appear too concerned, though.
The vendor selling the dessert was only a few feet away and likely would have enjoyed the ensuing discussion between brother and sister. It was a compliment to his ice cream, after all. But like many of the other food truckers that day, he was too busy selling to the crowds to pay much attention.
More than 3,000 people attended the food truck picnic at the historic site, 700 more than came out to last year’s event. They ate and drank while their kids played at the penny carnival, and enjoyed music and tours of the grain elevators.
It was, yet again, a very successful day, said Shari Strachan, director with the Musée Héritage Museum. So successful, that the Arts and Heritage Foundation plans to repeat it in August.
“It was a great day,” said Strachan. “There were a lot of new faces, which is always great. And a lot of people had family over for Fathers’ Day so it was nice that they did not have to leave the community to find something different to do.”
The first food truck event was held in August 2014. Staff at the museum had anticipated 1,000 visitors that day. But then more than 2,300 people showed up and the trucks ran out of food. They were prepared for the crowds this year. Only one food truck closed early.
Because it was Father’s Day, there was also entertainment for the children, such as the penny carnival and face painting. And a teepee was set up on the grounds, along with an information session about the city’s new healing garden, to honour National Aboriginal Day.
The museum’s staff was also happy about how many people came to visit the grain elevators, said Strachan. Many visitors were taking tours and asking questions. They were also generous in giving donations, which help to keep the site open, she said.
“There were lots of people really interested in how the grain elevators worked,” she said. “The comment I heard a lot is that it’s a good thing that St. Albert was able to restore and have these buildings for the public to view and see and recognize part of their heritage.”
For those who missed Sunday’s event, the food trucks will return to the grain elevators on Aug. 28 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission to the event is free and donations are welcome. The grain elevators are located at 4 Meadowview Drive.
