Aurora’s Food Truck Festival Draws Enthusiastic Crowd

Chris Briones, an Aurora resident, enjoys grab-and-go food, making the Food Truck Festival a perfect match for him. On Friday night, Briones attended the event held downtown, expressing his enthusiasm: “I love food truck festivals. If they have them, I’m here, every time.” Standing on the Benton Street Bridge, he appreciated the variety available, enjoying how a simple Friday night offered numerous options to explore.

The festival marked Aurora’s second and final Food Truck gathering for the year, with over 30 vendors participating. Attendees enjoyed a diverse range of culinary choices amidst music and entertainment. Christina DiCristofano, Aurora’s special events coordinator, highlighted that nearly half the vendors were new compared to the spring event.

Rick Clement, another local, pointed out the festival’s appeal: “People come because they like to be outside while it’s still nice, and the downtown, with the river, is a nice place to hang out.”

Clement attended for the first time since moving from Michigan last year. He remarked on the abundance of trucks, capturing moments through photos.

Alani Wilson showcased her excitement, enjoying the extensive food variety offered. Holding a box of food, Wilson exclaimed the festival’s allure lies in its unique options and community atmosphere, all concentrated in one place in downtown Aurora. She valued the gathering as an opportunity for people to connect.

Among the vendors, A-Town Lemonade, an Aurora business, participated for the first time this year. Co-owner Keyyonna Presley shared that she and her husband have consistently attended the food fest even before launching their lemonade truck. Presley noted the event’s variety as a major draw, marking the year’s last festival. She mentioned, “We started this business – my husband has been making lemonade forever, and we needed to do something together as a couple.”

Luis Andrade of Aurora reflected on his previous festival visit two years ago, echoing the widespread interest in exploring new foods. His decision to attend stemmed from learning about the participation of Ricobene Food Truck on Facebook the night before, prompting him to visit.