Council, Mayor reflect on Food Truck Roundup

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The city of Warner Robins was in a reflective mood following their inaugural Food Truck Roundup last Thursday. During pre-council meeting on Aug. 21, Councilman Kevin Lashley opened the floor for memories.

“The Food Truck Roundup was excellent … I was extremely delighted; it was an awesome event. Well done by everybody involved; it was fantastic,” Lashley said.

“I am looking forward to next month. That was probably the best time I’ve had all year long,” Councilman Larry Curtis added.

“It was a great success and looking on building what we already have done, making it even grander and greater than ever,” Councilman Charlie Bibb said during council meeting.

The first food truck roundup took place on Aug. 17, and featured various vendors, activities, like a foam party, and music from Tres Hombres, and it drew a sizable crowd.

“We had an overwhelming amount of participation. The pictures didn’t do the crowd justice. And we’re looking for continuing to make it bigger and bigger,” Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said.

Putting an event on like this took planning behind the scenes, coordinating with multiple city departments, and passing an ordinance in late July that made the city friendly towards food trucks. According to Patrick, this encouraged even more vendors who were interested in coming out.

“We went from having nobody wanting to do food trucks in the city to everybody wanting to do food trucks in the city. So I think it was overwhelmingly accepted by the food truck family, by the food truck community. And I think we got a home run with revising our ordinance. It was a huge team effort and through months and months of work, I feel like we got it right,” Patrick said.

Possible suggestions for next time included tables and chairs, a water station and more vendors, something the city is considering.

Overall, Patrick is excited to watch the event grow and attract larger crowds.

“With the turnout we had, on our very first one, think about when we get to our fifth one. It’s going to be a huge crowd. And everybody had a great time: great, safe fun. Can’t wait for the next one,” Patrick said.

The next Food Truck Roundup will be Sept. 21, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Perkins Field, located at 105 Mulberry Street in Warner Robins.

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