Food truck festival coming to McHenry County Fairgrounds

Dozens of food trucks offering a variety of cuisines will be at the McHenry County Fairgrounds in Woodstock from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, for the fourth Truck Off event, returning after the pandemic hiatus.

The food truck festival is organized, in part, by McHenry County Living, and will feature 40 food trucks serving up an array of dishes, including trucks like Mama’s Donuts, Kissed by Fire, and Your Sister’s Tomato, according to a news release.

Many of the truck operators create special-edition menu items for the event. More than just food will be on hand to consume: Entertainment in the form of live music is planned, with the artist GOOROOS opening for headlining band 7th Heaven.

Plus, Joe Diamond, whom event organizers call “America’s greatest mind reader,” will “wander the crowd with other conjurors and mystics,” according to the release.

A vendor market will be held, and family-friendly games and activities are planned.

The McHenry County Fair Foundation is also helping to put on the event this year, according to the release. A portion of admissions and 100% of drink sales will benefit the fair foundation, planners said, noting that Truck Off has raised more than $12,000 for McHenry County charities.

General admission tickets costs $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Police, firefighters and other emergency responders will be admitted for free in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Children 12 and younger also receive free admission.

VIP tickets cost $20 ahead of time and $25 at the gate. VIP ticket holders will be admitted to the grounds an hour early and receive two drink tickets each.

Tickets can be bought at truckoff.net, which also has a complete list of confirmed vendors and other event details.

To mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during Truck Off, social distancing will be encouraged, and hand-sanitizing stations will be present at the outdoor event, according to the release.

Information on the event also can be found on the Truck Off Facebook page at facebook.com/Truckoff.