Add a food truck rally to the hundreds of vendors who will set up shop at Founders Park for the 27th annual Gigantic Nautical Flea Market.
Organized by the Upper Keys Rotary Club, 13 food trucks offering a variety of food items and drinks adds a new aspect to the two-day shopping event and boat show by the beach on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 26-27.
In years past, Rotary provided a pancake breakfast and extensive lunch menu. It was eliminated this year due to concerns of congestion with one food location. Rotarian Mary Beth Harris, who worked to secure the trucks, said they’ll be positioned at the beach, on the great lawn and at the front of the park.
“We have a great variety of food options, everything from Thai, Asian and pizza to roasted corn, donuts and ice cream,” she said. “Having food trucks spread in the footprint of the park benefits the patrons and market vendors.”
Craig’s Island Time will be located on the beach with the famous fish sandwich and other delights. Pig In Pig Out will offer barbecue pork and ribs, while Italian Food Company brings its wood-fire, Neapolitan-style pizzas to the event.
Up near the amphitheater will be the Green Turtle Inn Roadside Barbeque, which will have barbecue brisket, chicken, mac ’n’ cheese and other mouth-watering items. Polar Ice will offer shaved ice and ice cream, while the Key Largo Rotary serves traditional American favorites such as meatball subs. Dot’s Thai Food will offer everything from chicken teriyaki to red curry.
Near the Founders Park main entrance, people will find Mister Serrano Mexican food. Kona Ice is there to keep people cool. And Joey Bag of Donuts will offer his fresh, hot donuts.
This year’s event will have two entrances, wider aisles, and will use the entire park to reduce crowding. If you ride the shuttle bus from Coral Shores High School or park along the Old Highway, you will probably use the new north entrance by the Chamber of Commerce building. You will find more vendors on the loop road inside the park and wider aisles with less crowding up on the Great Lawn area.
The event raises money to support scholarships for local kids pursuing continuing education after high school, whether through college, trade school or certification.
