Binghamton's first food truck festival brings local vendors, artists and musicians together for another great season.
9/2/21 By Jamie Nguyen
Photo provided by Trucks on Tracks Facebook Page
Thursday, Sept. 2 will mark the third date of this year’s Trucks on the Tracks festival after last year’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The food truck festival has been held every year since 2018, running from July to October on the first Thursday of each month, and enjoyed a warm welcome back from the community on the first two dates, July 1 and Aug. 5.
Trucks on the Tracks had its start when its co-founders Mark Yonaty and Jay Pisculli saw similar events gain popularity in cities all over the United States. They decided to host an event at the Lackawanna Train Station, one of Yonaty’s properties, and thus the first food truck festival in Binghamton was created. It was launched on Aug. 16, 2018, and has since become one of Binghamton’s highly anticipated staples.
“We are happy to say that turnout and participation [have] been great thus far this season,” Pisculli said. “The Binghamton community support has been amazing.”
A wide variety of cuisines are available, including several local barbecue, Thai, Greek, Latin
American and vegetarian and vegan food options, completed with your regular American grub like hot dogs and mac and cheese. Some vendors, such as The Colonial and Binghamton HOTS, are instantly recognizable and loved by a large amount of Binghamton University’s student body. Desserts and refreshments include donuts, cookies, funnel cakes, sweet drinks, juices and alcoholic beverages, as well as ice cream from the on-premises Scoopy Dooby’s Ice Cream.
Attendees can also spend their time browsing merchandise vendors including vintage and custom clothing, artisan crafts and photography. Apart from the local vendors, many well-known and well-loved local musicians, such as Binghamton native Virgil Cain, are also bringing live performances to the scene. Interestingly, the Broome County Health Department is one of this year’s new additions in its attempt to distribute the vaccine.
“We have put more emphasis on getting great live music and more entertainment,” Pisculli said. “We are also going to be throwing an Oktoberfest event at the train station as well.”
Oktoberfest will be hosted at the Lackawanna Train Station with a focus on German beers and cooking, including themed entertainment like bratwurst-eating contests.
This month’s Trucks on the Tracks festival event runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on 45 Lewis Street in Downtown Binghamton with free admission on Thursday, Sept. 2. Oktoberfest on the Tracks will be on Sept. 25 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The last date of this season for the festival is Oct. 7.
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