The first of two food truck festivals coming to Burlington this summer is happening this weekend in Aldershot.
Street Eats Market is bringing its food fest experience to LaSalle Park, with the Food Network as sponsor and in partnership with Global News and the Aldershot BIA. This is the first such food truck festival to be held in Aldershot and will take place from June 21 through June 23.
Expect over 40 food vendors, in the form of food trucks and pop-ups, plus family-friendly attractions in the kids’ zone (including inflatables), face painting, a gaming zone, axe throwing, giant games, and opportunities to take photos with some favourite characters.
Vendors will include summer food truck classics like ICEE, Ontario Corn Roasters, and Alfie’s Lemonade; fusion food vendors like Los Vietnamita (bánh mì tacos, anyone?), Marry Me Mochi (a specialty that combines mochi and the good old donut), and Little Sizzle, whose offerings change but have included taco spring rolls and ramen melts. Leave some room for grilled cheese sandwiches with a twist from Grilled Gold Eats, empanadas from Fiesta Empanadas, or pizza cones from Kono Pizza; the menus are decidedly varied and internationally inspired. You can also show some local love by checking out the Oakville-based Shircuterie.
Sweet treats have not been forgotten: Carla’s Cookie Box, known for its range of butter tarts, will be there, as will Super Churros, and Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream, amongst others.
Festival goers can also expect live performances by Madison Avenue, Cool Jacks, and other acts to entertain them while they enjoy the food. Then, burn off some energy in between courses with live dance classes on site.
While the festival is free to attend and will feature over 320 menu items available for purchase, it is also a fundraiser for the Burlington Food Bank and Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation. The festival will be open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 21, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 22, and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 23.
Parking is extremely limited on-site; free shuttle services are available from Aldershot GO station, Burlington GO station, Aldershot School, and the 423 Elizabeth St. parking lot in downtown Burlington.
While other Street Eats Market was hoping to host other food truck festivals in Burlington over the summer (the Longest Table and a Mac and Cheese Festival), those plans did not pan out; those festivals will now take place in Mississauga. A Poutine Festival is still in the works for Sept. 20 to 22, 2024, at LaSalle Park again.
After the city declined to allow Canadian Food Truck Festivals to run the Burlington Food Truck Festival in Spencer Smith Park, Street Eats Market stepped in to try to fill that potential gap, but always with the intention of hosting it in Aldershot. The Canadian Food Truck Festivals food truck event will now take place in Burloak Waterfront Park from July 19 to July 21.
