Among the 11 food trucks on hand at Gibson City’s North Park for the city’s inaugural Food Truck Festival last year was Levy’s Chuck Wagon. Courtesy of Natalie Barnett
GIBSON CITY — There will be no second annual Gibson City Food Truck Festival this summer.
The city council voted unanimously Monday night to reject Kelsie Wengler’s request to reserve Gibson City’s North Park for the privately sponsored event planned for Saturday, June 21. Wengler, of Strawn, told aldermen that she considered the festival a success when it was held for the first time at the park on June 22, 2024, but acknowledged recent concerns from local restaurants over the presence of food trucks in the city hurting their business, which could affect her request for the reservation.
Mayor Dan Dickey said bringing in food trucks was a problem.
“We have had a lot of restaurants upset about food truck vendors in the city,” Dickey said. “Alderman (Susie) Tongate and I have had two meetings with (local restaurant owners). We didn’t have that (concern) last year, (but) it’s a big issue (now).”
Dickey asked Wengler to explain the festival’s purpose. Wengler said the festival — featuring food trucks plus retail vendors, kids’ activities and live music — was her own personal project, not connected with any nonprofit or public group.
Among the 11 food trucks on hand at Gibson City’s North Park for the city’s inaugural Food Truck Festival was CK Almonds. Courtesy of Natalie Barnett
“It’s all for the community,” Wengler said. “A fun day in the park.”
Alderman Sarah Sarantakos wanted to know more.
“Are you charging the food trucks and vendors?” Sarantakos asked Wengler, who replied that she charges vendors $40 and food trucks $50 to attend.
“The money goes toward the live music and the kids’ activities,” added Wengler.
Last year’s inaugural festival featured 35 to 40 vendors and 11 food trucks, as well as inflatables for the kids. Wengler said she planned to set up inflatables again this year and book multiple bands.
Sarantakos asked what kind of music would be featured. Wengler said she had not booked any groups yet, but assured the council the music would all be family friendly.
Alderman Terry Roesch then questioned Wengler about the fees she had mentioned would be charged to the food trucks and vendors.
“So you charge food trucks to show up and you take the money yourself?” Roesch asked.
Wengler replied: “I don’t keep the money; it all goes back into the fundraising.”
Due to the concerns of Gibson City’s restaurants, Dickey said he would not support Wengler’s request.
“We have a lot of restaurants that are here 24/7, 365,” Dickey said, noting their year-round presence. “They are upset because of the food vendors. I understand what you are doing, but I am not for it. I am not against it, but because of the restaurants being upset, we are going to limit this in the future. There may be an ordinance about it.”
City Clerk Jan Hall reminded the council that the current city ordinance prohibits private citizens from charging fees for an event held on city property, adding that the public parks are for the use of Gibson City residents. In this case, an individual from another town charging fees to do something in the park would be a violation of city ordinance, Hall said.
Tongate put the issue in perspective.
“Right now, the only food trucks allowed at an event are (those at) the large, established festivals that can’t meet the (food) needs of the attendees, like Harvest Fest, Summer Bash and the Christmas Parade,” Tongate said. “Those three events, they approach the restaurants. Food trucks support the event, (but) they are not events to support the food trucks. I appreciate you trying to bring fun to town, but we have had several meetings that were very extensive, and it’s a very sensitive subject right now. Due to that, that would be my issue with it.”
Roesch, who was only recently appointed to the council, made the motion to reject Wengler’s request.
“I will make a motion to not allow it,” Roesch said. “Our restaurants pay taxes, utilities. I am new on the (council), but I think food trucks could be charged $15 every day they show up. The restaurants pay all their bills and food trucks show up outside a restaurant and take their business. I have a problem with that.”
After Alderman Randy Wyant seconded Roesch’s motion, discussion continued as council members, sympathetic to Wengler’s efforts, tried to come up with alternatives.
“Is there any way you can do something different and not have the food trucks there?” Alderman Scott Davis asked Wengler, who did not think that would work,
“It would be kind of difficult,” Wengler said, “because the vendors would be there and they can’t leave their booths to get food at a restaurant.”
In a last attempt to sway the council, Kelly Steenbergen, Wengler’s mother, addressed the assembly.
“I help her with the event,” Steenberger said. “The charge for the food trucks, all of that is put back into it; she puts the money back into inflatables, insurance. It’s all part of that cost. The park doesn’t have inflatables. She is not making any profit; it’s all going straight back to the event. We wanted to make sure it was fun and drew people from the whole area around, to bring people to Gibson City. That’s why we limited the hours (last summer). When we close at 5 (p.m.), they are going to the bars and the restaurants. Because it’s hot in June, they want to go somewhere cool. We have vendors from Danville and Georgetown; they have not been to Gibson City, (but) they shop here. As for the food trucks, this is one day versus food trucks coming in on a daily basis.”
Tongate was not convinced, though.
“I think the differences are, the events that go on in town using food trucks, the three main events, those are Gibson City groups,” Tongate said. “They are on public property. The ordinance flat-out says a private person cannot charge people to use a public park. The wording has me concerned that we don’t go against our ordinance. Trust me, I love doing events in Gibson City, as you know. If you would join up with a nonprofit or the chamber of commerce, it might have a different look to it. If you have further questions, get ahold of me or Jan (the city clerk). We want to make sure we are doing things right.”
Wyant told Wengler to not be discouraged, telling her, “Don’t give up.”
An unidentified meeting attendee then asked: “What about the ACT theater group in the park for a month? They have a food vendor there. They charge money.”
“Any questions like that, we do need to look at,” Tongate replied.
Added Dickey: “This just came up last month.”
Before the 7-0 vote, Tongate made a few final comments: “The issue is charging food trucks and vendors in a park that belongs to Gibson City. We do want to be sure we are being fair and following our ordinances. There are a lot of ordinances out there, and it takes something like this to bring it to the front.”