Council approves seasonal experiment
By Angie Landsverk
A weekly Food Truck Rally will begin Thursday, July 11, at Waupaca’s South Park.
It will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the upper level of the park.
The common council approved the idea when it met on June 18.
“It’s something that’s growing in popularity,” said Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Whitman.
He brought the request forward to the council.
That was after Nicole Zellmer approached the city to find out if it was possible to set one up in the park this summer.
She and her fiancé are starting a food truck in Waupaca.
The proposal went before the Parks and Recreation Board first.
Whitman said the board thought it would be a good way to gauge interest in food trucks in this area.
He said it is also a good way to bring people to South Park.
“I like the idea of bringing people to one of our premier parks,” Whitman said.
The Food Truck Rally will run through Thursday, Aug. 29.
There will not be one on Aug. 15, when preparations are underway in the park for the annual Waupaca Area Triathlon.
Zellmer attended last week’s council meeting.
Those who participate in this summer’s Food Truck Rally are responsible for their own electricity, water supply and cleaning up after themselves, she said.
The seasonal fee to be involved in this year’s event will be $75.
Parks and Recreation staff will collect and manage it this summer.
Whitman said the food trucks must have all applicable state and county licenses and be fully insured.
It is up to the food truck vendors to make sure they have the proper licenses, he said.
The food trucks will set up along the north side of the parking lot.
They will face the grass to keep customers safe and off the parking lot, he said.
“It’s hard to judge how many will be interested,” Whitman said.
As someone who works until 5 p.m., Ald. Paul Hagen asked how they came up with the event’s hours.
Whitman said those are good hours based on the traffic through the park.
Zellmer said she would be open to going later if it is continuously busy.
Whitman said this summer’s Food Truck Rally will be a good trial for the city.
If there is interest in food trucks here, the city could develop an ordinance to regulate it, he said.