Food Truck Festival rolls into Saugerties

Years back, one could scarcely find a food truck in the Hudson Valley outside of a county fair, with the exception of the occasional hot dog gypsy and those curiously unsettling ice cream-mobiles. But in keeping with our clever habit of adopting what's best in city culture, roadside food has been developing quite a presence in the region -- complete with locally-sourced ingredients and creative cuisine.

Ergo, time for a celebration. It's happening Friday in Saugerties, and features four of the finest local bands and a half-dozen purveyors of meals-on-wheels. Besides the music and grub, there will be walk in-crafts, movies for the kids, craft beer and fine wine, and fire jugglers. When was the last time you hung out with fire jugglers?

This first effort on the part of the new Hudson Valley Food Trucks organization offers quite the smorgasbord. Whether you're a veggie or a carnivore, in the mood for all-American or exotic, you're covered: Participants include Yum Yum Noodle Bar, 'Cue, Slidin' Dirty, The Lucky Cow (meatless, natch), the Tin Cantina and Pippy's Hot Dog Truck.

It's all happening from 4pm to 10pm on Friday at Fiber Flame Studio, 1776 Route 212, a place that sounds like it would be worth getting to know at holiday time or anytime. Besides providing the venue, they're doing the walk-in crafts piece. All this on a Friday evening in friendly historic Saugerties? Blissful.