HATTIESBURG — The Hattiesburg Jaycees and Fairley’s Wings and More are hosting the sixth annual Taste of the South Food Truck Festival on Oct. 31, bringing together food trucks, local vendors and community organizations as the event continues to grow into a communitywide opportunity for residents to engage with local businesses.
The Hattiesburg Jaycees, a local chapter of Junior Chamber International, is a civic organization for young adults that focuses on leadership development, professional growth and community involvement. The organization works through initiatives such as community service projects, events and partnerships with local businesses and organizations.
A musician performs onstage in front of decorative lettering for the Taste of the South Food Truck Festival in Hattiesburg. The festival returns Oct. 31, bringing together food, entertainment and local businesses. (Tiffany Gray)
Hosted by the Hattiesburg Jaycees, the sixth annual festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Fairley’s Wings and More, 631 Main St.
The establishment is also a co-host of the event, which will include food, shopping, two live DJs and activities from community organizations.
Tiffany Gray, event coordinator for the Hattiesburg Jaycees, said the festival reflects that focus by bringing together local businesses, vendors and residents.
“We don’t just limit it to food trucks,” Gray said. “We open it up to the community because, again, we want to make this a community event and not just food trucks.”
The festival has also expanded over its six years. Gray said the event featured about 30 food trucks in its first few years, compared with nearly 50 expected this year, demonstrating growth in vendor participation. The festival has also expanded from one DJ to two.
Gray said the growth reflects the festival’s broader purpose of creating a community experience while giving local and regional small businesses a place to showcase their food, products and services.
Community partners can set up at the festival to provide services and activities, with organizations such as AT&T participating. Vitalant will also be at the event to conduct blood drives.
Vendors serve festivalgoers under a bright pink tent at the Taste of the South Food Truck Festival in Hattiesburg. The event provides regional businesses with an opportunity to connect with the community. (Tiffany Gray)
For Grey, the event also provides an opportunity to connect with other small-business owners. It is Gray’s first year coordinating the festival after serving as an assistant coordinator for the Hattiesburg Jaycees last year. She is also a doctoral student studying business administration and a small-business owner herself.
“I’m a small business owner myself,” Gray said. “So just being able to network while also coordinating this event, that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
For residents, Gray said the festival offers more than a day of food. It gives them an opportunity to discover businesses, connect with local organizations and learn more about ways to get involved in Hattiesburg.
The event is free and open to the public. The Hattiesburg Jaycees will also have an information table where attendees can learn more about the organization and opportunities for community involvement. Vendors interested in participating can apply through the festival’s Eventbrite page.
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