The Taste of Truckz food festival set to kick off in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC —The inaugural Taste of Truckz food festival is set to kick off this August. The food truck family day and fundraising event is all about community, flavor, and purpose. 

The event will be a delicious celebration of Wilmington’s vibrant food truck scene, featuring a diverse lineup of trucks serving up their signature, mouthwatering dishes. Co-founder of Genesis Block Foundation, Tracey Newkirk, says the event is designed to provide ongoing support for food entrepreneurs. 

“We started the Food Truck Festival ideally because we have so many food entrepreneurs that need support,” said Newkirk. “We need continual technical skills and business learning for our food entrepreneurs — and that’s what inspired us to have this fundraiser.” 

The movement supports the future Food Innovation Campus—a powerful initiative to uplift local culinary entrepreneurs and expand food access in the community. 

“Our food industry here in Wilmington is a $280 million industry, and we need more commercial kitchen space,” said Newkirk. 

In addition to enjoying beer and wine throughout the afternoon, attendees can groove to live music and enter giveaways. Newkirk says guests will also get to vote for their favorite vendor in the “Best Dish” competition. 

“The People’s Choice award will give people the opportunity to taste and vote on the best dishes from different food trucks,” she said. 

Families can look forward to a fun-filled Kids Zone, sponsored by United Bank, with activities to keep little ones entertained all day long. Tricia Lancaster with United Bank says the partnership is all about fostering community and building relationships. 

“We’re all together right downtown, and watching this grow helps us grow,” Lancaster said. “It’s all about relationships.” 

The Taste of Truckz Food Festival will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Cape Fear Community College Schwartz Center parking lot.