More fun, less waiting at 2015 food truck fest

Having "worked out the kinks" that resulted in long lines and grumpy patrons last year, organizers of the Just Jersey Food Truck and Music Festival say this year's event — scheduled for June 27 at the Waterloo Village Concert Field in Byram — will be bigger, better and easier for patrons to navigate, drink up and chow down.

Following a popular trend to spotlight the growing number of gourmet food trucks inhabiting downtowns and college campuses in New Jersey, the inaugural Just Jersey fest last year at County College of Morris was compromised in part by its own popularity.

"We expected 3,000 to 4,000 people to show up, and we got a lot more than that," said Allison Kohler, president of JMK Shows and Events, which is producing the show. "And we didn't know how long it took for a given truck to serve a meal. Did we have some kinks last year? Yes, but now we know a lot more about that, and also what we needed more of."

Kohler said another food truck festival organized by JMK in October at Horseshoe Lake in Roxbury "went flawlessly," and that Waterloo allows them more room to add more trucks and other attractions to engage what is expected to be another large turnout.

"Last year we had 20 trucks, this year we have more than 30," said Kohler, whose company also conducts the annual Big Brew Beer Festival at the Morristown Armory. "We also have parking for 3,000 cars and additional parking available with free shuttle buses."

When patrons get to the field — which accommodated crowds in excess of 10,000 a generation ago for concert headliners such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Allman Brothers — they also will find additional diversions such as a vendor area, children's activities including face-painting and an obstacle course, and a mechanical bull ride.

Picnic tables will be available, while patrons also can bring their own lawn chairs and blankets to sit and eat in front of a stage offering more entertainment in the form of live music.

The concert schedule kicks off with students from the Randolph School of Rock at 10 a.m., followed by the Stepping Stone Band, DEVI and Mr. Love Joy.

Of course, the food is the headline attraction, with trucks featuring gourmet lobster rolls, artisan pizzas, empanadas, barbecue, steak, sliders, meatballs and exotic meats; mac and cheese, grilled cheese and cheese curds; and regional and international favorites including Puerto Rican, Thai, Cajun and Creole cuisine.

For dessert, the selections begin with Belgian waffles, cheesecake and cupcakes. Or, to go in another direction, Randolph's Morris Tap and Grill will sponsor a craft beer and wine bar featuring selections from New Jersey breweries such as bolero Snort, Ramstein and Flying Fish.

Proceeds from the festival will benefit three nonprofit groups — the Roxbury Food Pantry, GiGi's Playhouse (a Down syndrome achievement center in Hillsborough) and the Morris Rugby Association.

Admission to the festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., is $5, or $4 with a donation of a can or boxed item on nonperishable food. Children younger than 12 are admitted free of charge.

For information, visit www.justjerseyfest.com.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-428-6627; wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com.