Food trucks aren’t new, but they are enjoying a lot of popularity right now, which is good for everyone. The truck owners get to share their unique offerings with the community, and local citizens get to taste a variety of new foods and flavors.

Now, Hope Mills residents don’t have to drive into Fayetteville or Spring Lake to enjoy food truck fare. The town of Hope Mills presents its Hope Meals Food Truck Rodeo Kickoff event Thursday, Sept. 7, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Complex’s back parking lot.

“The purpose of the event is to bring the community together and to promote local small community businesses,” said Melissa Adams, town manager for the town of Hope Mills. “We are hoping to make this a monthly, regular event that the town will sponsor to bring the different demographics of our community together.”

Adams added that Hope Mills is home to a large military population.

The event will feature two food trucks, one dessert truck and music. The food trucks are R Burger and The Blind Big. The dessert truck is Big T’s.

R Burger is a fantastic truck serving fresh-ground hamburgers, hotdogs, brat patties and fresh-cut fries.

The Blind Pig serves up smoked barbecue with homemade fixings.

Big T’s serves New Orleans-style snoballs and other desserts that are perfect for an evening treat.

“The monthly event is planned for September, October and November, and we will more than likely skip December, January and February,” Adams said. “We will start the event back up in the spring and it will run through the fall of 2018.”

Adams added that if the event really takes off, they will look at doing it more often.

Adams said she’s wanted to do something like this for a couple of years, and everything has finally come together. She hopes it will be a huge success for the community.

“We are super excited and want to showcase the town of Hope Mills and give something back to the community along with bringing the community together,” Adams said. “Our goal is to have a crowd of 300 or more come out and enjoy the fun.”

Participants are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. The address of the Hope Mills Town Hall is 5770 Rockfish Rd. For more information, call (910) 426-4114.