Food Truck-A-Palooza draws crowds to Merrill Fairgrounds

Visitors to Merrill who didn’t know any better might have been forgiven for thinking the county fair had arrived a few months early. Last Saturday, May 16, 2026, the third annual Food Truck-A-Palooza packed the grounds from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the Merrill Fairgrounds hummed with the kind of energy usually reserved for August and the fair — and by all accounts, it was the best one yet.
A beautiful sunny day with warm temperatures and a good breeze contributed to the success of the event, and crowds filled the fairgrounds. The scene looked more like a busy fair midway than a “typical” spring Saturday, with families weaving between vendors and the aroma of food drifting from every direction. Vendors took to social media throughout the day to celebrate the turnout, sharing shout-outs about brisk business and lines stretching from their trucks.
With 35 food trucks on site, the hardest decision of the day may have been what to eat next. The lineup covered an impressive range — fire-roasted corn, brisket and pulled pork, street tacos, chimichangas, jerk chicken, gyros, lumpia rolls, crab rangoon, cheese curds, pizza, and more. For those with a sweet tooth, mini donuts, churros, cheesecake, cream puffs, elephant ears, and ice cream added to the dilemma. Then there were the beverages — with options including iced and hot coffee drinks, fresh-made lemonade, sodas, and beer from the Sawmill Brewing Company or the VFW stand.
Cuisines ranged from all-American classics to Thai, Mexican, Italian, Korean, Hmong, Filipino, Jamaican, and beyond.
Beyond the 35 food trucks, more than 50 craft vendors offered shopping opportunities to support local makers and entrepreneurs, while bounce houses with all-day wristbands kept younger attendees entertained. Live music by Brad Emanuel and Jackson Taylor added to the atmosphere throughout the day, and the big tents with tables for eating and visiting were consistently filled with diners and families.

The event grew out of an initiative by Merrill Mayor Steve Hass, Hallie Savall (the behind-the-scenes face of marketing for the City of Merrill), members of the City Council, and the City’s Marketing Committee to promote Merrill as a destination and provide local businesses with valuable exposure. Attendees at this year’s event noted they had seen many others who traveled from outside the area to attend and enjoy dining from the food trucks, shopping, and music.
Notably, the event operates without cost to taxpayers. “This event is completely self-sufficient thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors, along with participation from our food trucks and craft vendors,” City of Merrill representatives said. “It’s a great example of what’s possible when local businesses, vendors, and the community come together to create something special. From amazing food to live music, family activities, and local shopping — this event is powered by partnership and community pride.”
Mayor Hass, who volunteered his own time all day to help at the event, said he was thrilled with this year’s turnout and the weather that helped make it so successful.