Although the 2020 Occupational Development Center (ODC) Food Truck Fest at Stauffer Park had to be canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, Ken Mueller, public relations and development manager for ODC, remembers the 2019 event vividly. "We did well," recalled Mueller. "More than 3,000 people (attended), and many trucks sold out of food. We had perfect weather, and everything fell into place."

Mueller is hoping for a similar experience for this year's third annual Food Truck Fest, which will be held on Saturday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Stauffer Park, 1241 Lititz Pike, Lancaster. Mueller noted that the partnership between ODC and the Manheim Township Recreation Commission has worked well. Keeping in mind the safety of all in attendance, he noted that COVID-19 restrictions in place at that time will be observed with regard to masks, social distancing, and crowd size. Mueller noted, however, that with the large outdoor space and the number of hours the event will be held, crowd size should not be an issue. "We will have a sanitation station for handwashing and hand sanitizing," noted Mueller.

Organizers have planned to have up to 15 food trucks offering a variety of ethnic food items to attendees. Among the many genres that will be offered will be Middle Eastern, Mexican, and Mediterranean, and soul food. "We will have barbecued smoked meats, cheesesteak sausage fries, loaded hot dogs, and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches," said Mueller. He listed cookie dough, milkshakes, funnel cake, popcorn, cotton candy, and waffles and ice cream among the desserts. Mueller added that he is careful not to duplicate a type of food. ODC has partnered with a coffee company to create their own brand, and they will sell coffee at the fest.

Local radio personality Dennis Mitchell will provide musical entertainment at the event. "People are less likely to crowd around a (disc jockey) than a band," said Mueller. "We want to be careful." Prizes and giveaways will be part of the event, and this year, a mobile automated teller machine will be located on site. In addition, the Lancaster SPCA will bring dogs that are available for adoption to the fest.

ODC, located at 640 Martha Ave., Lancaster, has been helping individuals with developmental disabilities gain the skills to do productive work for more than 70 years. During 2020, Mueller said, the organization shut its doors from March 13 until Sept. 14, opening on a smaller scale until close to Thanksgiving and then closing again until early March 2021. Readers who would like to learn more may visit http://www.odcenter.org or https://odcenter.org/blog/food-truck or call 717-397-4269.