Connecticut Food Truck Festival at the North Haven Fairgrounds

We Came - We Ate - Our Verdict ==>  It's a Food Truck Paradise!

 The FIRST ANNUAL CT FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL!
North Haven Fairgrounds
300 Washington Avenue
North Haven CT

#CTFoodTruckFest
#CTFoodTruckFestival

 The Connecticut Food Truck Festival at the North Haven Fairgrounds is happening on July 19 and 20 from 11:00am to 7:00pm!

The festival admission is $5 per person and includes parking, children under 17 are free when accompanied by a parent.

Don't let the long lines fool you! We did hit A LOT OF traffic coming off the highway -- BUT we found there was plenty of free parking at the fairgrounds and merchants along Washington Avenue were also offering $5.00 parking close by.

Most food trucks did have lines...but most went fairly quickly (about 15 minutes or less) with the exception of the Lobster Roll Truck which understandably had MUCH longer lines.

This was the CT Food Truck Festival's first year and without advance ticket sales I'm sure they had no idea how many to expect. I'm sure next year will shake all the cobwebs out.

IMPORTANT ==> Be sure to bring chairs or a blanket because NO seating is provided!

Also, due to insurance regulations - no alcohol is available, nor can any be brought in.

There will be close to 50 food providers and bands playing throughout the weekend.

In addition there will be plenty of family friendly activities going on with  bounce houses, inflatable obstacle course, games, contests and DJ. These are ALL provided FREE for the little ones as well as clowns providing free face painting.

Moonbounce Area

All Saturday attendees will receive a ticket which can be brought back on Sunday to enjoy some of the new trucks that will be joining the festival that day at a discounted admission of $2. 

Clown Face Painting

All the trucks will be selling their top items and many will be doing smaller portions at a reduced price to allow you to try multiple trucks. 

Fun and Food for Everyone!
Above middle is my "Sample" Platter from Double Trouble which consisted of a chili burger, a chili dog, a bacon cheeseburger, and fried bacon wrapped peanut butter and jelly! A bargain at $10.00!!! 

Here's a list of just SOME of the trucks that will be there! And please note that not all trucks will be in attendance on both dates.

• Amor Food Truck
• Aurora’s Gypsy Cafe 
• Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Truck 
• Big Country's BBQ
• Bounty Food Truck (Sunday only)
• Burning Peel Pizza
• The Buzz Truck Coffee, Caffeine and more
• Christiano's Pizzaria
• Deli on the Block
• DiSorbo’s Bakery Truck & Fried Dough Pizza 
• Double Trouble
• FE Food Extrovert
• Four Flours Bakery  
• Fruit Whirled 
• Good Humor Ice Cream
• Gotta Q BBQ 
• Granola Bar Truck
• Grilled Cheeses & Other Comfort Foods
• Lobstercraft 
• Local Meatball
• Mamoun's Falafel Truck
• Meriano's Cannoli Truck
• Munchie's Food Truck 
• Pierogies on Wheels 
• The Pig Rig BBQ
• Snowie Shaved Ice Mobile
• Spinning Smoothies
• The Spud Stud 
• Taco Loco
• Tampa’s Food Truck
• Ted's Restaurant
• Vanchetta Porchetta Truck
• Weenie Lynns
• The Whey Station 
• WTF Wrap The Food Truck
• Zawack Shack

The consensus from Sunday Fest goers was basically the same with an emphasis on long lines and a back up off the highway from people who arrived noon and after. However, early birds report no problems at all.

Next year, I'd recommend advance ticket sales, and two seatings per day to reduce the congestion. But, I'd still say it was a wonderful event and can't wait til' next year!

For more pictures of this event - visit the Home Place Facebook page HERE

First Annual Connecticut Food Truck Festival

Time:  11-7 pm

Date:  July 19, 2014 and July 20, 2014

*Cost:  $5.00 per day, Saturday attendees can purchase Sunday tickets for an additional $2.00

Where:

 North Haven Fairgrounds 

300 Washington Avenue 

North Haven, CT

The North Haven Fair

Cotton Candy, Kissing Llamas, and Blue Ribbon Pies  - OH MY!  

We're at the North Haven Fair!

This time of year in New England our calendars are packed with fun-filled fairs and festivals, and North Haven touts this year's fair as "The Fairest of the Fests!"  This year marks the 70th anniversary of the North Haven Fair, running September 6th - 9th, 2012 on the North Haven Fairgrounds.

You can feel the celebratory nature in the air this year!  Everyone is having fun! This annual agriculture mini extravanganza  is complete with amusements, a midway, pony rides, pie-eating contests, petting zoos, AND A KISSING LLAMA! Live music, tractor pulls, a women's skillet tossing contest (???) (the cowboy better learn to duck) and did I mention THE KISSING LLAMA!!

With amusement ride specials and the midway sponsored by Rockwell Amusements (operated by my good friend Ellie) this is an annual affair not to be missed!  There are all sorts of ride specials - check the North Haven Fair website for amusement ride specials and discounts.

Here's some of what we saw, ate, and enjoyed in our quick trip to the fair this evening...
Plenty of free parking and admission is $10.00 per person, children under 12 that are accompanied by an adult are FREE!

We started going through the vendor's buildings with representatives from EVERYWHERE!

The cowboy rushes me through these places quickly - he's afraid I'll want him to carry out a new vacuum cleaner...or that I'll re-side the house.  Apologies to the many vendors for lack of pictures of your amazing wares!
Next we moved on to the petting zoo and livestock exhibits.  There's the cutest little piglet taking his early evening nap.

and a little billy goat gruff - always makes me think of the old 50s Heidi on the Alps movies!

and my friend, the black sheep.  It's like looking in a mirror, I tell ya'!

Look at this little fellow!  Aren't farm animals just the cutest?

and here he is!!!  My man!  The kissing LLAMA!

It's been a long, long, time since I've been kissed by anyone but the cowboy!  

But who could resist this lump of love llama?!  

And I guess he couldn't resist me either because right after I snapped this picture 

he planted a big old wet kiss on me!  

(I think the cowboy was laughing himself silly jealous!!!)

Enough of the adult fun...let's move on to some kiddie stuff!

Like Pony Rides!

kiddie bungie jumping

the midway games of chance

and rides galore!  

Everything from the Polar Express, the Locomotive, and the Wonderful Ferris Wheel.  

And LOTS, LOTS, MORE

We then moseyed into one of the exhibition halls

where we saw what the best local farmers had to offer 

(and I had to keep the cowboy from reaching over 

and helping himself to these gorgeous tomatoes)

"No, dear. You have not been asked to be a tomato tasting judge."

Eggplants, squash, gourds, and pumpkins

 Art exhibits

...and award winning pies!

"No, dear. You have not been asked to be a pie tasting judge."

And there is so much more to see!  Breads and cakes - knitting and crafts...and more!

Needless to say...the pies made both of us hungry...so it's time to visit the delicious food offerings

I started with a Blooming Onion

and the cowboy had his usual hot dog...

but he had a sad face because there was no yellow mustard!

Food vendors! - We like the French's Mustard!!

he finished it off with a side of fried dough pizza! 

(oops - minus a bite or two in the photograph!)

While I grabbed myself a bag of the sugary confection I love best

COTTON CANDY!

(almost as good as my LLAMA KISS!)

While we ate we listened to some music by Sons of Liberty Band  

What a great band! Featuring some oldies, soft rock, and a little crossover country.

There's music galore - check the North Haven Fair website for entertainment and times!

There's still plenty of time left to visit the North Haven Fair this weekend!

The North Haven Fair

Washington Avenue

Route 5

North Haven, CT 06483

www.northhaven-fair.com

September 6th - 9th, 2012

And beware of kissing llamas!

MUAH!

The Petting Zoo and the kissing llama are from West Ledge Farm in Killingworth, CT

More Pictures Available on Facebook:  Home Place visits the North Haven Fair 2012

Are you saving some calendar dates for upcoming fairs or festivals? 

Did you visit the North Haven Fair this year?  

Have you ever kissed a llama?

I'd love to hear about it in the comment area below!

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