The inaugural Truckin’ Tuesdays, a new weekly lunch opportunity, debuts May 2 and will regularly feature 5-7 food trucks parked on Ottawa Avenue adjacent to Calder Plaza in Downtown Grand Rapids.

This public space activation initiative marks a first step toward implementation of a new community vision emerging to make Calder Plaza more inviting and comfortable for people.

Truckin Tuesdays also marks the opening of the summer 2017 food truck season – the first summer food trucks will operate in the city since the adoption of a pilot ordinance designed to support culinary entrepreneurship and small business development by expanding opportunities for food truck operations.

Another first-time event – Roll’n Out Food Truck Fest – will celebrate the new pilot food truck ordinance and also help to kickoff outdoor dining season in Downtown. The event, scheduled for May 21 at Heartside Park and the Downtown Market, will feature two dozen food trucks, an artisan market and several cuisine-themed movies.

The 3^rd Annual Relax at Rosa, a weekly lunchtime series featuring food trucks and local bands at Rosa Parks Circle every Thursday all summer, kicks off May 4.

A collaboration of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., the Grand Rapids Food Truck Association, the City of Grand Rapids and other partners organized all three events.

Friday Night Food Fight, yet another startup food truck rally organized by the Grand Rapids Food Truck Association, kicks off May 12. The event, which aims to grow into a weekly schedule over the summer, will feature 4-7 trucks parked at 22 Ottawa Ave NE, the surface public parking lot located at the northwest corner of Ionia Avenue and Fulton Street commonly known as “the Wedge lot.”

All of these locations in Downtown GR – Calder Plaza, Heartside Park, Rosa Parks Circle and the Wedge Lot – are identified as ‘Food Truck Opportunity Areas’ in the city’s pilot food truck ordinance.