Saskatoon summer staple outgrows downtown location

You know it’s summer when the sun is shining and food trucks line the street in Saskatoon.

And what better to accompany all that delicious food but a beer.

In 2024, Foodtruck Wars is back at a new location, with YXE Beer Wars Festival as its synergistic neighbour.

The food trucks can be found at 2701 Porter St., next door to Lions Arena, where the Beer Wars Festival is being held at the same time.

Organizer of both festivals Rick Mah told 650CKOM they outgrew the downtown location.

“We wanted to try to find a spot where we could host our sister festival,” said Mah. “We scoured the city, and I think we came up with a gem of a location.

“Downtown just didn’t work out (as a venue) to have both festivals,” said Mah. “We have 23 food vendors and over 20 beer vendors.”

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So what’s hot in Foodtruck Wars for 2024?

“Out of Manitoba we have the Kyu Grill, they’re an award winning truck,” said Mah. “They go to the Calgary Stampede every year, and they travel around Alberta and Saskatchewan.”

Mah said Kyu Grill always had long lines for its Japanese-Hawaiian fusion food, as does The Churro Stop truck from Winnipeg, adding the Saskatoon festival was the only opportunity people in Saskatchewan had to try their food.

“It’s nice they’re all picking a little bit from everybody,” said Jacko Garcia, The Churro Stop about the crowds at the event on Saturdays.

Trent Ens from Smokehaus Meats wasn’t worried about the change of venue, saying they will serve where the people are and the people showed up to the new location.

Ens’ most popular item?

“Beef brisket sandwich, the beef brisket is a Montreal style so it’s different than what people are used to,” said Ens. “Other than going to Montreal you pretty much have to get it here.”

Mah said the fun doesn’t stop with the food as there is also live entertainment.

“We have a hot dog eating contest,” said Mah.

The 2024 Hot Dog Havoc Contest kicks off at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The Beer Wars festival is the perfect next-door neighbour.

“We have 20 plus craft alcohol vendors from across western Canada,” said Mah. “We have some cool vape vendors and cannabis vendors also coming.”

Entrance to Beer Wars is restricted to those over the age of 19.

The two day event began on Friday.

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