News

Food truck competition in Oregon draws 13,000

July 13, 2017

The Great Umpqua Food Truck Competition at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Roseburg, Oregon drew 30 food trucks and 13,000 attendees as part of a Fourth of July celebration. The event could become a fundraiser for The Umpqua Economic Development Partnership in future years, according to The News-Review. The goal this year was not to make money but to entice the food trucks to come, and by that measure, the event was a success, according to Wayne Patterson, executive director for the partnership.

Food trucks paid $250 to rent a spot at the event. The proceeds went to the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Three food trucks whose food tied for first place in the competition shared the $17,000 in prize money. The Douglas County Industrial Development Board donated the funds. The Dole, Coalwell, Clark, Mountainspring and Mornarich attorney's office donated the $1,000 prize for the best food truck from Douglas County.

Most of the event's costs were covered by corporate donors Jordan Cove and Clint Newell Toyota. Bi-Mart donated the kids event area and Oregon Serigraphics donated a t-shirt stand.

The event was successful for food truck owners since their participation cost was low and their sales were greater than expected, Patterson said.