Photo: Mahomet’s Erin Arends and her daughter, Maggie, 1, share a blanket and
some food at the first Food Truck Friday on July 14 at Barber Park.
The lament of residents in small communities is often that there’s nothing to do.
Sometimes, what appeals to the older generation is considered “lame” by the younger generation.
Mahomet’s first Food Truck Friday — held last week at Barber Park — appeared to have the winning formula for various age groups.
“This is the kind of thing we like,” said Tim Wood, who moved to town from Texas in March. “It keeps the kids busy.
“There’s food. We get off work and go have a good time.”
Mahomet’s Jessica and Cameron Zindars saw postings about the event on Facebook.
“It was an easy Date Night,” Cameron Zindars said.
“And I don’t have to cook,” added Jessica Zindars. “I love food trucks.”
The Zindars were joined on their night out by their 3-year-old, Carter, as well as neighbors Collin and Angela Roloff, and their two children.
“I’m excited to see Mahomet getting this,” Angela Roloff said. “Our small town is getting bigger.”
The food trucks represented were Plato To Go, Cracked, Mas Amigos and Kona Ice.
“It took a while to decide,” said Angela Roloff as she and daughter Chloe, 3, waited in line at Cracked.
“I’ve always wanted to try Cracked,” Jessica Zindars said, “but it’s usually busy at the (Saturday) Farmer’s Market.”
Mahomet’s Erin Arends and her 1-year-old daughter, Maggie, sat on a blanket enjoying the evening while spending time with neighbors.
“It’s something different, easy for dinner and there’s a little entertainment,” Arends said. “It’s a fun family event.”
She’s getting familiar with Barber Park. It’s where she went on Wednesdays in June for a Yoga class.
Anne and Cory Ohms were enjoying an afternoon out with their children, Ben, 8, and Will, 5.
The Food Truck Friday stop was their second one. They came from the Flashmob Reading Group at Yo Yo’s Frozen Yogurt, where “we heard about it,” Cory Ohms said.
“It was kind of spontaneous when we decided,” Anne Ohms said. “How perfect to come right out here after being there.
“This is a great evening for families.”
As she scanned the park, where guests sat at picnic tables, in lawn chairs or on the ground, she knew her opinion was the day’s popular one.
“Clearly, a lot of people are interested in this,” Anne Ohms said.
The Caleb Cook Band provided the evening’s entertainment.
Fred Kroner, who covered sports for the News Gazette until his retirement in 2016, is now the editor of the Mahomet Citizen. Fred, who grew up in Mahomet, enjoys spending time with his wife, who also recently opened Lucky Moon Pies and More.
