There’s only one time of year to catch many of the Flathead Valley’s best food trucks in the same place — the Flathead Food Truck Festival this weekend at Flathead County Fairgrounds provides that opportunity.  

The food truck festival was started out of necessity during the pandemic in 2020 by Jack and Barbara Veverka, owners of Copacabana Brazilian Barbecue Food Truck. It was to give people an event to look forward to that summer when most events were canceled.  

Five years later, the event is still a community favorite, especially amongst the food truck owners. 

“As this has gone on, it's really been about throwing a party with all of our food truck friends, and they get to see the community come out as well and have a good time,” KnucklHed BBQ Owner Ryan Garnache said. 

The food truck festival is June 21 from 3 to 9 p.m. and June 22 from noon to 9 p.m.  

At the request of customers who wanted to experience as many trucks as possible, this year every truck will offer taster portions that have tinier, tasty options for people on a quest to try all the food.  

An upscale food truck Food Dudes opened in 2019. Truck owner Sean Andrachick said after selling the Brass Tap restaurant, he was able to focus more energy on the truck. For the festival, the truck scaled down some of its most popular dishes.   

“I'm looking forward to letting everybody have an opportunity to taste us and kind of be back their minds like ‘hey, that was a really good place for boom boom shrimp’ ... something they want to maybe seek out again,” Andrachick said.  

The festival is offering VIP tickets this year, which allow customers to skip food truck and beer tent lines, get four taster portion vouchers and four free adult beverages, and admission for both days.  

It was something attendees have been asking for, and Garnache said it was one opportunity organizers saw to increase revenue for the event.    

“We're also kind of bound to try to find ways to pay the bills that are incurred by the festival, and it's pretty heavy,” Garnache said. “Every year it's a challenge to try and find a way to pay for all the bands, the music, all that stuff, and make it all come together and keep the keep prices as low as we possibly can.” 

Keeping prices low for families is a goal, he said. The festival also has combo packages, like the Family Combo pack, which allows a family of two adults and three children under the age of 12 to each try two different food trucks of their choice for about $45.  

“I don't know if you can go anywhere these days with a family and expect to get anything for around that money,” Garnache said. 

There will be 35 vendors at this year’s festival. When Garnache started his truck in 2018, the food truck pool was smaller in Northwest Montana. Nowadays, he said he’s excited to see new cuisines, like Thai food, Mediterranean food and Russian, among others, that will be present at this weekend’s event. 

"Seeing that type of variety come to the valley is just an incredible thing. It's something we've been lacking for a long time. And it's just nice to see those additions come in,” Garnache said.  

The festival has created a nonprofit made up of the event's organizers who want to give back to the community. Attendees will have the option to donate online or in person, where 100% of the funds will go toward scholarships to Flathead Valley Community College’s culinary arts programs, allowing students to explore careers in the restaurant industry. 

Although planning the festival can be stressful, Garnache said he’s excited to see it all come together. He’s also crossing his fingers for good weather.  

“Hopefully the rain and wind hold off this year for us. We’re looking forward to just a great event and seeing everybody there,” Garnache said.  

General admission is free for those 12 and under, and costs $8 for anyone 13 and older. The two-day VIP tickets without alcohol are $39, while the two-day VIP experience with alcohol cost $59.  

For tickets, visit https://tickets.dailyinterlake.com and click on the Flathead Food Truck Festival.  

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing tinman@dailyinterlake.com.