News Summary
The 10th Annual South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, at the SC State Fairgrounds, featuring over 25 food trucks and local craft beers. Despite recent burglaries impacting local food trucks, organizers are committed to providing a secure and enjoyable event for all attendees. Admission is $5 in advance and $10 at the gate, while children under 10 can enter for free. The festival aims to support the local culinary community and promote regional flavors through a festive atmosphere.
Columbia Preparations Underway for 10th Annual South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival
The 10th Annual South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival is set to draw crowds on Saturday, May 17, at the SC State Fairgrounds from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Food enthusiasts can purchase VIP tickets for early access starting at 11 a.m..
More than 25 food trucks will participate in this year’s festival, offering a diverse range of local food options including Creole, Cajun, seafood, and sweet treats. Additionally, attendees will have the chance to enjoy regional craft beers alongside games, live music, and an artisan market.
Advance tickets can be purchased online for $5, while tickets at the gate will be priced at $10. Admission is free for children aged 10 and under. Special packages including early access and additional perks are also available for those interested.
Festival Amidst Recent Security Concerns
The incident occurred while The Melt Masters was parked in the CoMo Cooks lot, where they discovered the break-in after receiving a message to check on their trailer. Similar incidents have also affected J’s Smoked BBQ, along with an unsuccessful break-in attempt at another truck.
The thefts reportedly took place sometime between Friday evening and Sunday evening. Immediate losses for The Melt Masters included cash, credit card readers, speakers, and significant damage to equipment such as a refrigerator and fry warmer. In response to the incident, the owners of The Melt Masters have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of the stolen and damaged items.
Background of the Melt Masters
The Melt Masters was founded by four students from the University of Missouri, primarily serving the campus community. The food truck’s offerings focus on a variety of melts and sandwiches that cater to cravings for comfort food. Their participation in local events, like the upcoming festival, has been pivotal for their visibility and support from the community.
As local food truck businesses face challenges from recent burglary incidents, organizers of the South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival are working diligently to create a secure and enjoyable event for both vendors and attendees. The festival aims to bolster the local food truck community by providing opportunities for connection, support, and the celebration of culinary diversity.
Expectations for the Festival
With an impressive lineup of food options, craft beverages, and family-friendly activities, the South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival is expected to provide a vibrant atmosphere for food lovers and local businesses alike. Organizers also emphasize the importance of community support, encouraging attendees to not only enjoy the event but to also show solidarity with food truck operators who contribute to the local food scene.
The festival stands as a testament to Columbia’s dynamic culinary landscape, bringing together local vendors, artists, and music in a festive environment designed to foster community spirit while addressing recent challenges faced by food truck businesses.
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Additional Resources
- WACH: Blythewood Restauranter Scott Benny Grilling Up for Columbia Food Truck Festival
- KOMU: Columbia Food Trucks Burglarized Over Weekend
- ABC Columbia: Local Living Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival
- Food Truck Operator: Thieves Target Multiple Food Trucks in Columbia, Missouri
- WMAR2 News: A Columbia Food Truck is Maryland’s Sole Representative on Yelp’s 2025 List of Top 100 Places to Eat
- Wikipedia: Food Truck
- Google Search: Food truck festival
- Google Scholar: Food trucks
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food truck
- Google News: Columbia food trucks
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The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
