Food trucks, beer garden, wine: What to expect at Foodchella in Somerset

SOMERSET — Stay hungry, SouthCoast foodies. The time for binging tons of tasty local eats has come.

Thousands will descend on Slades Ferry Park this weekend for a “flavor-packed” community celebration with the return of Foodchella, one of the area’s biggest food truck, artisan, and music festivals.

“The purpose and mission behind Foodchella is to highlight the great eateries and food and brews and breweries that we have and to expand the music part,” said founder Allison Faunce, who also heads the long-running Southcoast Open Air Markets in Somerset.

This year marks the launch of a “new, elevated experience” at Foodchella, which got its start in summer 2021 and is now in its eighth iteration.

Looking for a fun night out with family and friends? Here’s what to expect this weekend:

Food truck festival: What’s coming to Foodchella in Somerset in May

When and where?

Foodchella 8 will be taking place May 10, from 3 to 8 p.m., at 100 Slades Ferry Ave.

What’s on the menu at Foodchella 8?

This year’s lineup of 25 food trucks and vendor includes many returning favorites — Berrysweets, serving up cheesecake skewers and chocolate dripped strawberries, Atomic Blonde Icecream, Hot Potato and Big Daddy Kings BBQ — as well as a handful of tasty newcomers.

The Perky Turkey, Sorbae Frozen Treats, Curbside Creperie and Lou’s Bah-Bah-Q are among those making their Foodchella debut.

The full Foodchella 8 roster of food trucks and tents will feature:

Moyzilla LLC

Adobo Republic

Bird’s Nest Italian Street Food

Bem Bōm Portuguese/American Culinary Fusion

Berrysweets

Wicked Good Sausage Co

Hot Potato RI

The Burrito Bowl

Big Daddy Kings BBQ

Curbside Creperie RI

Atomic Blonde Icecream

The Perky Turkey

Lou’s Bah-Bah-Q

Friskie Fries

Sorbae Frozen Treats

County Fare Hotdogs

Aimee’s Bakin’

Kristi’s Kraftails Kristi

The Rise Cafe

Rhed’s Hot Sauce

PJ’s Fine Foods, LLC

From Scratch Desserts LLC

Also on tap is the expansion of Foodchella’s beer garden – which launched in 2022 with one beer truck and this year is growing to four local beer and wine vendors.

Fall River’s Canned Heat Craft Beer Co. and Troy City Brewery will be on site serving up local brews, Nasketucket Bay Vineyard out of Fairhaven will be filling wine glasses and Party With Primo will mixing up up one of their signature cocktails.

Live music, kids activities and shopping

Brews and bites will be accompanied by live music from two local bands performing on Foodchella’s  upgraded covered stage. Real Weird will kick things off from 3 to 5:30 p.m., followed by returning favorite Quick Hits from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Art Pop will also be on site offerings free art activities for kids of all ages.

With the springtime even falling on Mother’s Day weekend, Foodchella will be sprinking in eight artisan vendors — selling everything from jewelry to clothing, crocheted items, crafts and henna — for moms looking to treat themselves or families doing some last-minute shopping.

Where do I park?

Designated parking areas are located at Chick Marchand Memorial Park, 100 Newhill Ave., and the grass lot next to Grace Bible Church, 802 Riverside Ave. to Slades Ferry Park. 

Handicapped parking will also be available right next to the event at Rockland Trust, 100 Slades Ferry Ave.

Don’t feel like walking? Hop aboard the trolley, sponsored by SouthCoast Wind, that will be shuttling visitors from parking lots to the event.

More information

Foodchella, an event organized by the nonprofit SOAM, is sponsored by Stateline Subaru, Somerset Federal Credit Union, BayCoast Bank, and Southcoast Wind. 

Stay in the loop on the Foodchella food lineup, vendor spotlights, music updates, and more by visiting their newly launched website, and “Experience Foodchella” Facebook and Instagram pages.