Good eats, fun and sun as food trucks roll into Mahanoy City

May 28—MAHANOY CITY — Whether your taste buds called for gyros, tacos, barbecue or the American favorite funnel cake with powdered sugar, the fifth Good American Fire Company Food Truck Festival was the place to be Sunday afternoon.

A portion of East Mahanoy Avenue was closed to traffic to make room for food trucks, crafters, vendors and people just out enjoying the Memorial Day weekend sunshine.

Tony Aschman, fire company president, and his wife, Elly, walked the grounds as people began to funnel in to enjoy friendship, good food and time away from life's commitments.

Elly Aschman said the festival is in its fifth year. It began in 2018 in conjunction with the company's 125th anniversary celebration.

The event continued annually, taking a break in 2020 due the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's gone on every year, except that one, and we hope it goes every year from now on," Elly Aschman said.

She said the festival featured about 20 crafters and six food trucks selling a wide variety of items including barbecue pork, gyros, shish kabobs, french fries and kettle corn.

"There is probably something here for everyone," Elly Aschman said.

She explained that the number of food trucks was cut back this year.

Elly Aschman said Mahanoy City is a small community and having a large number of food trucks is not financially sound for those selling their respective items.

"We reduced the number at the request of vendors," she said. "We're a small community and we felt it was in their best interest."

Tony Aschman said members of the Citizens Fire Company No. 2 and Mahanoy City EMS jointly worked on making this year's event a success.

Although the streets were crowded around 1 p.m., Elly Aschman said the crowd usually increases greatly after the borough's annual Memorial Day service held at Catawissa and Centre streets.

"After that, it picks up and we think it will be the same this year," she said.

Maria Ramirez, of Shenandoah, was one of those who took advantage of the sunny skies and warm temperatures to try the Al Pastor food stand.

Al Pastor has two locations, one in Frackville and one in Shenandoah.

"This is good food," Ramirez said. "It's worth driving a few minutes to get."

Funnel cakes were also one of the big crowd-pleasers.

As Shelby Wade, of Ryan Twp., waited in line for a funnel cake, other people lined up behind her with the same idea.

"You can't get them everywhere, mainly block parties or bazaars, but they're not as many as their used to be," she said. "I remember when my grandmother used to make them in her cast-iron frying pan.

Elly Aschman said the nice weather brought out people and that she hopes this year, like others in the past, will be a success.

She said the fire company is thankful for the food providers, crafter and vendors, as well as everyone who comes to simply have a good time.

"We appreciate the support; that's how we survive," Elly Aschman said.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013