Tune & Fork Tuesday: Food trucks and live music each week in downtown Exeter

Aqeel Hisham, Portsmouth Herald
·2 min read

EXETER — Looking to enjoy this summer with food trucks and entertainment all in one place?

TEAM (Town.Exeter.Arts.Music) has partnered with the town’s Parks and Recreation Department to host “Tune & Fork Tuesday,” a weekly event series promoting local food trucks and live music.

Tune & Fork Tuesday occurs every Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Town House Common, located downtown right next to the municipal parking lot. The event was first held on June 21 and will run through Aug. 23.

Rockspring performs at Tune & Fork Tuesday at Town House Common in downtown Exeter.
Rockspring performs at Tune & Fork Tuesday at Town House Common in downtown Exeter.

Previous events featured local bands such as Rockspring and mobile food vendors such as Friends 4 OBA, Kona Ice, and Polly’s Hot Dog.

“Tune & Fork Tuesday was something that we thought would be great as we further develop Town House Common,” said Greg Bisson, director of Exeter’s Parks and Recreation Department. “It was a win-win for us to have (the event) … we wanted to bring more people to Town House Common, especially with the mobile vending ordinance that we just passed.”

Exeter middle-schoolers Bri Paterna, left to right, Lexi Paterna and Lana Ruffner at a recent Tune & Fork Tuesday.
Exeter middle-schoolers Bri Paterna, left to right, Lexi Paterna and Lana Ruffner at a recent Tune & Fork Tuesday.

Last year, the town’s Select Board approved new regulations governing food trucks which allocates six parking spaces along Town House Common for mobile vendors.

The cost for a permit to park along Town House Common is $1,200 yearly or prorated for $120 a month.

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Revitalizing Town House Common

Bisson said the town has put in a lot of work to beautify Town House Common as an effort to encourage local crowds to go there. This includes the new gazebo that was donated by TEAM and Ruffner Real Estate and constructed by the Phillips Exeter Academy Facilities Department. The Parks and Recreation Department also installed a staging area.

“That’s why we put some picnic tables at all our alcoves to allow more people to be at Town House Common and eat outside,” he said. “We’re just trying to give (people) opportunity to further stay outside – if they feel comfortable that way.”

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Bisson said the weekly events have been well attended. They have only had to cancel twice due to weather.

Kona Ice and Friends 4 Oba food trucks set up in the town's new mobile vending area for Tune & Fork Tuesday.
Kona Ice and Friends 4 Oba food trucks set up in the town's new mobile vending area for Tune & Fork Tuesday.

Organizers are hoping Tune & Fork Tuesday becomes a new summer tradition in town.

“It’s a beautiful little park that for years has been in search of an identity,” said Scott Ruffner, executive director of TEAM. “We’ve already seen a big increase in activity from people now enjoying a takeout lunch or a relaxing break from walking and shopping downtown.”

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Upcoming Tune & Fork Tuesday concerts

July 26: Groove Lounge

Aug. 2: Todd Hearon & Friends

Aug. 9: Redemption Reggae Band

Aug. 16: Clandestine Trio

Aug. 23: Wood, Wind & Whiskey

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Tune & Fork Tuesday: Food trucks and live music each week in downtown Exeter