This competition today isn’t just for food truck fans, it’s the Springfield Rotary’s biggest fundraiser of the year

Veteran's Park was overflowing with people Saturday during the Springfield Rotary Gourmet Food Truck Competition. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

Veteran's Park was overflowing with people Saturday during the Springfield Rotary Gourmet Food Truck Competition. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

The closer Fred Fullerton got to the front of the line, the hungrier he got. And he wasn’t alone.

The scents alone were worth it for the St. Paris resident to travel down to Springfield’s Veterans Park today with his wife to experience the fifth annual Springfield Rotary Gourmet Food Truck Competition.

The event, which goes until 9:30 p.m. this evening, has 32 food trucks featuring menu choices from pitas to pizza, crab balls to ice cream.

Admission is free for the event, which is Springfield Rotary’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

Seafood vendors drew the longest lines in the early part of the day, including Cousins Maine Lobster, in its first year at the competition, along with Firehouse Crab Balls, in from Maryland.

Rotarian and event marketing chair Eddie Bell said he was happy with the turnout so far and that the weather has brought a combination of sun and clouds after plentiful rainfall the previous two days.

The sights also complemented the smells and tastes. One of the employees of The Celtic Pig truck came dressed in an authentic kilt. It was one of 13 new trucks in the competition.

John Marimont had a slice of wood-fired pizza in one hand, a sugar waffle in the other and was still was able to steer his infant daughter in her stroller.

“It’s worth it,” he said, smiling. “When my wife gets back I’ll be back for more.”

Judges will sample foods from each truck with the top three finishers announced at 5:30 p.m. and a people’s choice award.

For more information, visit the competition website.

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