The flavors of the Arkansas River Valley will be part of the football game day environment at Arkansas Tech University this season.
Party at the Plaza, the pre-game tailgating celebration outside Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville, will include food trucks providing fans with a variety of culinary choices.
Food trucks participating in Party at the Plaza will pay a set-up fee that will be used to support the Campus Kitchen at Arkansas Tech, a food recovery effort by registered student organization Because We Can that provided 4.5 tons of meals to area residents in need during the spring 2016 semester.
The food trucks will be located at 1122 North El Paso Avenue on the former Taco Villa lot adjacent to Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field.
Dr. Sean Huss, associate professor of sociology, faculty senate chair and faculty co-advisor for Because We Can and Campus Kitchen at Arkansas Tech, said that those involved hope the project gives the public a preview of what could be possible in the future.
“Our hope is to create enough buzz that we not only raise funds, but also have fun and give people a sense of what the future development of North El Paso Avenue will mean for bringing our university and our community even closer together,” said Huss.
Roxy’s Twisted Sandwiches and Wok’N’Roll will be the featured food trucks for the first 2016 Party at the Plaza on Thursday, Sept. 1. The food trucks will open at 4 p.m., and the remainder of the Party at the Plaza events will begin at 5 p.m. It is anticipated that other food trucks from the community will be part of the event later in the season.
Pre-game musical entertainment at the food trucks for the season opener will be provided by the Arkansas Tech marching band. Huss said that subsequent game days will feature more live music at the corner of West L Street and North El Paso Avenue.
Other home game days for Arkansas Tech during the 2016 football season include Saturday, Sept. 17 (4 p.m. Party at the Plaza, 6 p.m. kickoff); Saturday, Oct. 1 (3 p.m. Party at the Plaza, 6 p.m. kickoff); Saturday, Oct. 15 (4 p.m. Party at the Plaza, 6 p.m. kickoff) and Saturday, Oct. 29 (11 a.m. Party at the Plaza, 2 p.m. kickoff).
