Food trucks, cold beer, lawn games, live music and riverfront views – all for a good cause. Sound too good to be true? Think again fellow Mobilians. Bay Bites Food Truck Festival is just around the corner, and it’s already giving our stomachs something to growl about.
Presented by Mobile Baykeeper, Bay Bites made its successful debut last November, raising nearly $3, 000 from ticket sales and sponsorships. This year, however, with more than 1, 000 people confirmed on the event’s Facebook page, along with more participating food trucks, bigger things are expected.
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“Last year was the first year and we had it in November. It was freezing, ” says Mary Kathryn Cunningham, Development Director for Mobile Baykeeper. “This year we decided to have it in July to take advantage of warmer weather and more daylight, and we are expecting a much bigger turnout.”
The festival is one of a handful of community fundraising events put on throughout the year by Mobile Baykeeper, an environmental nonprofit that aims to achieve an overall mission of “clean air, clean water, healthy communities.” Bay Bites is primarily spearheaded by Mobile Baykeeper’s Young Advisory Council, a group of young professionals ages 21 – 35 who all carry a vested interest in Mobile Baykeeper’s core mission and values. Led by President Justine Herlihy, who also holds a seat on the Board of Directors for Mobile Baykeeper, its main objective is the planning and oversight of Bay Bites each year.
Along with Cunningham, Herlihy also has very high expectations this year. “This year, I believe moving the event to July has prompted more individuals on both sides of the bay to join us – you can’t keep us away from the heat!”, says Herlihy. “We are expecting to greet three times the amount of people as last year. We plan to make this a yearly event and hope guests will join us for years to come.”
So if you're looking for the perfect mid-week escape, come see what the Bay Bites buzz is all about and show your support for a great local organization.
July 8: Bay Bites Food Truck Festival
Cooper Riverside Park • Downtown Mobile
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Participating food trucks include Bacon My Day Food Trailer, Grits and Grub, Von’s Food Truck, Geaux Boy, Ben’s Burga Kaboose, Frios Gourmet Pops, Kona Coastal Alabama, Chill Yogurt Cafe and Pita Pit. Live music will be provided by Harrison McInnis. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door (beer included, food will be available for purchase). Photo ID required for access to beer. Children under 12 admitted free.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mary Kathryn Cunningham at [email protected], or call 433-4229. Want to get involved with Mobile Baykeeper? Contact Holly Dayton for volunteer opportunities at [email protected] for more information.
Text by Hanlon Walsh
