Local Community Advertising
Kelowna’s first ever Food Truck Culture Rally is taking place today between 5 and 9 PM outside of Highway 97’s ONE Boardshop. Ian Locket of newly-founded food truck business Surf Side California has organized the event, and well-known staples of the Kelowna scene like The Rolling Stove and Gung Ho Gyozas, among others, are looking forward to getting involved.
“Everyone will have a unique experience, as there will be a variety of vendors to choose from,” Ian said. “We are hoping this will become a popular event and will draw more attention to the Food Truck Culture.”
“A well-organized event will create a fun, almost carnival-like atmosphere,” added Rick Graham of The Rolling Stove. “People walking and browsing the various food vendors, and indulging in the different offerings… The choices will often be available in reduced portions so the patrons can really dive into the menus.”
Food Trucks are a newer aspect of Kelowna, as not too long ago our city was unfriendly to the mobile nature of their operations. Bylaws mostly prevented them from operating. A year or so after the last mayoral change, however, the spot where Rolling Stove Rick operates outside of Stuart Park was offered up in a bidding process, and Graham was able to secure it. Since then, he says, “business has increased in every way.”
The new Surf Side California was started in what Ian Locket describes as “a bit of a love story.” He and his partner Heidi, who he met online, originally connected with over their mutual appreciation for food and culture.
“Food Truck Culture is something we always talked about and wanted to be a part of,” Ian explained. “We would spend our date time sampling restaurants and food vendors in the Okanagan. For the past few years we talked and planned to build and operate our own Food Truck. We saved enough money and purchased our truck in October 2012 – then the fun/work began. Surf Side opened to the public on May 5th 2013 with great reviews… We can finally say we are a part of it!”
Now Ian and Heidi “want to bring Food Trucks and Vendors together to share with the public at locations all over the Okanagan.”
Great food like this burger from Rolling Stove will be on sale
Thursday signals the kick-off of that dream, and the event will go ahead rain or shine. Attendance is free, as the only charge will be for the food. ONE Boardshop is located at 2330 Hwy 97N, Kelowna.
Local Community Advertising