Crowds fill Mount Vernon Square for 6th annual Knox Foodies Food Truck Festival

The 6th Annual Knox Foodies Food Truck Festival brought energy, excitement, and the delicious aroma of street food to Mount Vernon’s historic downtown square on Sunday, Oct. 5. Kicking off at 11 a.m. and running through 6 p.m., the free, family-friendly event drew large crowds throughout the day under clear skies and beaming sunshine.

Hosted in the heart of downtown Mount Vernon, the festival transformed the picturesque public square into a bustling hub of community activity. The event featured 15 diverse food trucks, live local music, an artisan market, a petting zoo, kids’ activities, and for the first time, a ride-in motorcycle show.

This year’s event was made possible through the partnership of several local organizations and sponsors, including Xtreme Air, LLC, Stoke Run Action Sports Park in Butler, and Mansfield Speedway, who teamed up to organize and host the festivities. Additional support came from On the Mark Mowing, Living on the Edge, Legends Sports Bar, Trash Champions, and Moore Family Practice.

One of the new attractions at this year’s event was a motorcycle showcase, held in partnership with Mount Vernon native Zane Cook and Z Cook Media. The free ride-in bike showcase featured awards in multiple categories, including Modern, Vintage (pre-1999), Custom, Oddball, and Best of Show. Motorcycle enthusiasts from across the region participated. The bike show was sponsored by UMD Automated Systems, Lowbrow Customs, Compton Candy Coated, Richard Wolfe Trucking, and Good Ole Days.

Throughout the afternoon, the main stage featured performances from local musicians including Michael Houck, the Third Degree Band, and Mount Vernon’s own country artist Alan Carl. Each act drew an enthusiastic audience, delivering a variety of musical styles that kept the crowd entertained. From soulful tunes to upbeat country and rock, the performances offered something for everyone and added to the lively, festive atmosphere of the event.

The artisan market highlighted local artists and handmade vendors, giving festivalgoers a chance to browse and purchase unique crafts and gifts. Kids had no shortage of fun either, with face painting, a mini extreme sports zone, and a petting zoo provided by Angry Acres. Local skateboarder Brandon Jodoin also demonstrated his skating skills in the mini skate area, drawing applause and attention from onlookers of all ages.

The centerpiece of the festival, however, was the impressive selection of food trucks offering something for every taste. This year’s lineup included a wide variety of culinary options such as Cupzilla Korean BBQ, Cousins Maine Lobster, Big Back LLC, Schmidt’s Sausage Truck, Tacomania, Tabouli Café, What the Fizz, OX-B, The Funnel Cake Station, The Hibachi Hut, Kona Ice, Fork in the Road, Sweet Treat Trolley, Fine Smoke BBQ, and Charm Thai on the Wheels. From international flavors like Thai, hibachi, and Korean BBQ to classic American favorites like sausage, BBQ, and funnel cakes, there was truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Despite the heat, the sunny weather helped make the day an enjoyable one for families, bikers, food lovers, and visitors alike. Children danced in the street, friends gathered around in lawn chairs, and the square echoed with music and laughter throughout the day.

Now in its sixth year, the Knox Foodies Food Truck Festival has established itself as one of the county’s most enjoyable fall traditions, bringing together a vibrant mix of local cuisine, live music, artisan crafts, and family-friendly outdoor activities. To learn more about future local events, visit the Experience Mount Vernon website at https://www.experiencemv.org/.