{"id":198630,"date":"2026-05-21T06:43:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T06:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/198630\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T06:43:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T06:43:08","slug":"greater-pittsburgh-food-truck-festival-still-going-strong-after-a-decade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/198630\/","title":{"rendered":"Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival: Still going strong after a decade"},"content":{"rendered":"


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From left, Kali Adams, Jenna Warren, Matt Pendolino and Tori Gazzle enjoy some food during the Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival in 2024. [Mark Marietta\/For the Observer-Reporter]\n<\/p>\n

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Audra Miller and Zak Schwarzeo try some ribs at the Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival in 2024. The festival will be at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows Friday through Sunday. [Mark Marietta\/For the Observer-Reporter]\n<\/p>\n

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Laurin Kidwell grooves to some tunes during the Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival in 2024. The festival is returning to the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows this weekend. [Mark Marietta\/For the Observer-Reporter]\n<\/p>\n

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Part of the fun of Memorial Day is cooking out and spending time with friends and family.<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s face it \u2013 who wants to do that all weekend?<\/p>\n

Instead, folks might want to consider packing up the family \u2013 and maybe a few friends, too \u2013 and heading to Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in North Strabane for the annual Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival from Friday through Sunday. One of the region\u2019s premier summer events, the festival features a wide variety of food trucks, craft vendors, live music and family-friendly entertainment.<\/p>\n

This year more than 50 food trucks will take part in the free festival.<\/p>\n

A decade in the making<\/p>\n

Carole DeAngelo, director of multi-market advertising and events for the Observer-Reporter and Herald-Standard, said the idea originated during a conversation with the team at what was then the Meadows Racetrack and Casino.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe already had seen success working together on the Corks and Kegs Festival when the topic of a food truck festival came up. Back then it was a real leap of faith,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

When approached with the idea, sponsors quickly expressed interest, vendors came on board and food truck proprietors signed up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt started small, with 20 food trucks, and was built on trust, collaboration and a shared belief that we could create something special for the community,\u201d said DeAngelo.<\/p>\n

A diverse selection<\/p>\n

When it came to food, the team first focused on crowd-pleasing classics.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew people liked pizza, hot dogs, Mexican and hibachi, but over time it grew into something much more diverse,\u201d DeAngelo said.<\/p>\n

Now, visitors to the festival will find a wide range of offerings, from international cuisine and seafood, to desserts, coffee and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s become a reflection of how much the food truck scene has grown,\u201d DeAngelo said.<\/p>\n

Entertainment offerings have expanded as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cFamily-friendly elements have grown from a small kids\u2019 area to a full activity zone, and the vendor presence has evolved into a robust shopping experience,\u201d DeAngelo said.<\/p>\n

Taking part<\/p>\n

Natalie Gatten of Hott Dawgs has been a food truck vendor since the event\u2019s inception.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn encounter with DeAngelo over a decade ago remains vividly etched in my mind. Her vision, which launched in a parking garage, has flourished into what it is today and it continues to grow,\u201d Gatten said.<\/p>\n

Gatten\u2019s truck, which serves gourmet dogs with names like the All-American, the BLT and a popular footlong Corn Dog known as the \u201cSword Dog,\u201d remain fan favorites.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a potent blend of excitement, joy and communal spirit,\u201d said Gatten.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead<\/p>\n

When looking towards the future, DeAngelo isn\u2019t resting on her laurels.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re focused on continuing to grow the experience while staying true to what makes it special,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

New this year is a large Ferris wheel, with free rides offered to attendees.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s another way to give back and enhance the overall experience,\u201d DeAngelo said.<\/p>\n

Highlighting nonprofits also remains an important part of the festival.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always been about partnerships,\u201d DeAngelo said.<\/p>\n

DeAngelo emphasized that the festival\u2019s success is a collaborative effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout the support of the Meadows, our sponsors and the people who show up year after year, we wouldn\u2019t be where we are today,\u201d she said. \u201cThe more energy, creativity and excitement we can bring to it, the better the experience will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut more than anything, I\u2019m proud of the team behind it. They worked diligently together over time, to build something that continues to grow and thrive, and it wouldn\u2019t have enjoyed a decade of success without such a group of dedicated people,\u201d DeAngelo added.<\/p>\n


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