The first annual Vancouver Island Food Truck Festival, held in 2023, was a vibrant celebration of the joys of street food and community in Campbell River. It was also a testament to quick planning, collaboration, and the sheer will to bring a family-friendly event to life.
The festival was proposed by Tanille Johnston, a city councillor and board member of the Young Professionals of Campbell River (YPCR) during a board meeting just two months before the proposed date. Despite the tight timeline, the team rallied community partners, which included the Downtown Business Improvement Association, led by Heather Gordon Murphy; Michaela Arruda from the YPCR board; the Salmon Festival Society; the Day Break Rotary Club; and Lucas Schuller from Highway 19 Concerts.
A picturesque location
Robert Ostler Park was the chosen location for its scenic beauty and family-friendly environment. The park was fenced off, creating a cozy, enclosed space to enjoy the festival’s offerings while still having access to the park’s amenities. The decision to fence the entire park rather than just the beer garden, along with on-site security personnel, was a thoughtful touch that allowed young families to feel secure in a public setting.
A major hurdle for the festival’s first year was effective marketing to attract a large number of food trucks and a substantial audience. Fortunately, the event gained popularity on social media with over 4,000 people showing interest in the event—leading to a successful turnout. The Downtown BIA played a crucial role in handling permits, leveraging previous experience and expertise in organizing past events at Robert Ostler Park.
The festival’s timing was another crucial consideration, running from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. to cater to lunch and dinner crowds. It coincided with a large event in Black Creek, but careful scheduling of future festivals is intended to avoid such conflicts. The opportunity to extend festival hours or span it over a weekend are both exciting possibilities.
Diversity and variety
One of the festival’s key successes was its commitment to diversity and variety in food. Organizers made a conscious effort to include a wide range of food trucks, ensuring there was something for everyone. They also considered power supply limitations at the park, balancing the number of trucks that required power hookups with those that could operate independently with the use of generators.
Thanks to a contribution from Royce Pritchard at the City of Campbell River, the plastic axe-throwing event was found to be a standout attraction for the young and young at heart. This fun, interactive experience was so popular that there are plans to expand this aspect of the festival in 2024.
Organizers also fostered friendly competition among participating food trucks, enhancing community engagement, and encouraging attendees to vote for their favourite food truck using QR codes. It was an opportunity for people to express their opinions and feel like an integral part of the festival’s success. A local artist designed gold sticker decals that were awarded to the winning food trucks.
A celebration of our community
The festival was embraced by the community with incredible enthusiasm—loving what it offered. The long lines and the fact that some food sold out quickly had nothing to do with service, but proof of how popular the event was. This excitement guides the way for future festivals, with organizers already planning to bring in more food trucks and find ways to help lines move faster. The feedback received was invaluable and will help shape a better, smoother experience for everyone this year.
There was also a significant positive impact on local tourism and businesses. Many attendees stayed in local hotels, dined at nearby restaurants, and engaged with the local community, soaking up Campbell River’s hospitality and charm. Local businesses, initially unaware of the potential impact, noted that they were pleasantly surprised by the increase in foot traffic and sales during the festival.
The Vancouver Island Food Truck Festival was more than just a culinary event, it was also a celebration of our community. Set in the picturesque location, it offered a space for people to enjoy delicious food, spend time with loved ones, and appreciate the natural beauty of Campbell River’s waterfront. It demonstrated the incredible potential of a community working together and established itself as a key annual event in Campbell River.
The second annual Vancouver Island Food Truck Festival will be held on September 14, 2024, at Robert Ostler Park.
