Lions and Food Trucks and Beers, Oh My!
By David DeRocco
The thought of a food truck meal might make you hungry as a bear. But at this Niagara festival, you’d be better served if you pretend to be a Lion.
The 3rd Annual Grantham Lions Food Truck Festival is set to go on August 11th, and Lions Club President Steven Vukovics says this year’s event is going to be bigger and better.
“This year not only do we have up to 12 food trucks, the live bands, and beer, wine and cider vendors, but we also have Niagara Inflatables bringing three rides 3 rides for the kids,” said Vukovics, whose Niagara Street club in north-end St. Catharines is hosting the event. “We’ll be offering a ride-all day pass for $20. And we’ll also have up to 30 merchandise coming as well.”
Food trucks have become a popular addition to many local events that don’t want to take on the responsibility of providing food. However, at this event the food trucks are the main attraction, with 12 different gourmet trucks offering a wide variety of food offerings. Silversmith Brewery and Pallatine Hills Winery are also on hand to provide the accompanying pairings. A full stage of live music throughout the day rounds out a great festival, one that Vukovics says should see record attendance.
“Admission is of course free for everyone and the event is all ages. This year we hope to see over 3,500 people attend our event over the course of the day.”
Like many festivals run by service organizations, the Food Truck Festival is a major fundraiser for the Grantham Lions Club, which has been in operation at the Niagara Street location since purchasing the property in 1955. Lions Eye Care, Camp Trillium, Camp Dorset, Seeing Eye Dogs and Community Care are just a few of the many charities supported by the Lions, but Vukovics says the event is also a way to promote the idea of becoming a Lion to potential new volunteers.
“The event raises funds for all the various charities we support both locally and province wide,” explained Vukovics. “As well we raised $1,500 for local Autism programming last year. All proceeds from the event go right back into our community. The event is also important to us as a means of evolving our Lions Club into a modern era of events. Our membership is growing with younger members every year, and events like this are why. This club has been a part of our community for over 65 years now, and by keeping a growing membership base we look to be here for another 65 years.”
For more information visit: https://www.granthamlionsclub.com/food-trucks
