Food fest aims for downtown fun on Saturday

Local cuisine and specialty dishes will be front and center for the general public’s consumption as the city gears up to put its best food forward.

The women’s group Diva Maintenance is the main coordinator for the Front Street Food Fest, which will be held from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Oct. 17 in downtown Texarkana. The event is free and open to the public, as food truck vendors will offer fresh produce and prepared foods grown in the area.

Tameka Grady, one of the members of the event’s coordination committee, said this presents an opportunity for people to come out and enjoy the space and exclusive culinary treats their city has to offer.

“We have partnered with local food entrepreneurs and produce farmers who will be downtown on Front Street serving what they have to offer,” Grady said. “People can come enjoy good music and unique foods and support their local businesses.”

Diva Maintenance aims to hold an event similar to this on a monthly basis beginning next year. Grady believes downtown Texarkana could be an avenue to bring more interaction, commerce and appreciation to the Twin Cities’ underused space.

“When you go downtown on a Saturday, it’s pretty empty by comparison to other nearby cities,” Grady said. “We want to bring more life to the downtown area.”

Restaurants participating in the food festival include Mother Kelly’s Home Cooking, P&A’s Down Home Cooking and Catering, Fall Off the Bone Turkey Legs, and Kings and Wings.

For more information or to inquire about becoming a vendor, call 903701-7040 or visit frontstreetfoodfest.com.