Food trucks, football and festivities

BY SAM VISE

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

LAFAYETTE — Downtown LaFayette is gearing up to kick off the new school year with good eats, hometown pride and plenty of community spirit. 

On Friday, Aug. 14, LaFayette Main Street will host its annual Back to School Food Truck Festival from 5 to 9 p.m. CT in downtown LaFayette, bringing neighborstogether to celebrate local students and launch the upcoming high school sports season.

LaFayette Main Street Executive Director DeAnna Hand said the event will recognize the LaFayette High School Bulldogs and Chambers Academy Rebels football teams, coaches, cheerleaders, bands and student-athletes as they prepare for the season.

“This year’s festival is about bringing the entire community together as we kick off a new school year,” Hand said. “We want our students to know that this community is behind them, cheering them on both in the classroom and on the field. It’s a great opportunity for families to come together, enjoy downtown and celebrate everything that makes our town special.”

Hand said the event will feature a variety of food trucks as well as back-to-school supplies and student apparel. 

“We’re excited to welcome a great lineup of food trucks, including Bridges BBQ, Mr. Mori’s Hibachi, Dauro’s, Soda Splash [and] Rollin Rackz, and additional vendors [are] continuing to sign on,” Hand said. “We’re also encouraging local businesses with back-to-school merchandise, school spirit apparel and student gear to participate.”

Hand said that while the primary draw of the festival is the food trucks, the event aims to serve a broader mission — fostering community connection and encouraging people to shop locally.

“This event is much more than food trucks; it’s about community,” she said. “You’ll enjoy great food, shopping with local businesses, family-friendly activities and the opportunity to connect with neighbors while supporting our downtown. Every person who attends helps strengthen our local economy by investing in small businesses. It’s a fun evening that showcases the pride, energy and momentum happening in LaFayette.”

LaFayette Main Street strives to build a vibrant downtown through economic development and community engagement, and Hand said the festival is a direct reflection of that mission.

“Events like the Back to School Food Truck Festival bring families downtown, create opportunities for local businesses to grow and foster community pride,” Hand said. “Celebrating our students while supporting our businesses reflects exactly what Main Street is about — building a downtown that serves as the heart of our community and creates experiences people want to return to throughout the year.”

Hand is still recruiting vendors for the festival. Those interested can email mainstreetlafayette@gmail.com for more information. Space is limited.