Patrons enjoy the food despite the rain on Saturday, June 24, at the Farmington Fairgrounds. People were treated to a variety of food options including cotton candy, apple crisp and more. Brian Ponce/Franklin Journal

FARMINGTON — United Way of the Tri-Valley Area [UWTVA] hosted its first ever Food Festival at the Farmington Fairgrounds on Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24. The event saw numerous food trucks, music, comedy and even a bouncy house for the kids while raising money for the different programs the UWTVA offers to the community.

The event kicked off on Friday evening at 6 p.m. and according to Chelsie Whittier, the line at the door was already long 15 minutes before the event started.

“We were packed,” Whittier said. “We had a line at the gate at 5:45 waiting for people to come in, and we had people right up until 10 p.m.”

Whittier highlighted the efforts of the UWTVA team of herself, Executive Director Kendra Baker, Director of Finance and Operations Lisa Rowe, Director of Marketing and Communications Nichole Ernest and volunteers Destiny Smith and Cassandra Frazier. Sponsors for the event include Ron’s Market, Technology Solutions of Maine, and Ameriprise Financial.

Julia Halley, a health education specialist from the Healthy Community Coalition, explains a game to teens on Saturday, June 24. HCC offered free salads to anyone who needed some fresh veggies.

The food trucks that were promised for the event included Fresh Eatz, Jeff’s Jamaican Cuisine, King & Queen Fries, Mr. & Mrs. Sausage, Roaming Eats, The Sweet Life Kettle Corn Company, Truckin Good Food, and Eve’s Garden [Friday only]. Gouda Boys, who were promised for Saturday, were unable to attend due to a family emergency.

Healthy Community Coalition was also in attendance, offering free salads for anyone looking for healthy options.

“The turnout was really good,” Sophia of Jeff’s Jamaican Cuisine said. “It has just been a lot of fun so far. It has been a lot of fun and a lot of people are trying Jamaican food for the first time and they’re loving it.”

Over at Fresh Eatz, owner Chelsea Croteau said the turnout was great for them as well.

“It was amazing,” Croteau said. “This place was swarming, and it felt like we were at the Fryeburg Fair. It was really busy.”

Croteau said she was looking forward to more business on Saturday, rain or shine. “Hopefully the rain doesn’t stop anyone from coming out,” she said.

Chelsea Whittier, director of community engagement for the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, helps get some extra tents set up on Saturday, June 24. Despite the rain, crowds turned out for live music and good food. Brian Ponce/Franklin Journal

Whittier and event staff responded to the rain by setting up several tents for patrons to eat under and keep their food dry.

Friday’s entertainment include local musical group Lumas and Invited the Wild. Saturday saw William Rideout, Brent Laflin, Belmont Radio, Comedian Dennis Fogg and Cole Martin preform.

The event also offered a bingo tournament on Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. and again from 4 to 5 p.m. Prizes included a $50 gift card to Hannaford, Reny’s and Texas Roadhouse [separate], a $25 gift card to Applebee’s, a wine & cheese basket, summer fun basket and camp chair, booklet of tickets at Palace Playland at Old Orchard Beach and a free tire rotation and balance at Tire Warehouse.

Western Maine Play Museum was also in attendance offering face painting for kids and adults. Over 50 kids had their face painted on Friday according to Program Director Stephanie Marscott.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services was also in attendance, giving out free candy and brochures with information about services.

Kendra Baker, executive director of UWTVA, said the idea for the event came last year during one of their Fright Night events. “Why wouldn’t we just do food trucks?” she said.

Baker said the previous evening was a massive success and within an hour of opening on Saturday, they had a significant number of people already eating in spite of the rain.

“It was full,” Baker said when talking about the Friday turnout. “They eat, go sit, listen to the music, come back, get a little bit more, sit and listen to the music and people were here right up until we ended.”