EXETER — Looking to enjoy this summer with food trucks and entertainment all in one place?
TEAM (Town.Exeter.Arts.Music) have teamed up with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department to run ‘Tune & Fork Tuesday’, a series of weekly events promoting local food trucks and music live.
Tune & Fork Tuesday takes place every Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at the Town House Common, located downtown right next to the municipal parking lot. The event first took place on June 21 and will run until August 23.
Previous events have featured local bands such as Rockspring and mobile food vendors such as Friends 4 OBA, Kona Ice and Polly’s Hot Dog.
“Tune & Fork Tuesday was something we thought would be great as we further develop Town House Common,” said Greg Bisson, director of Exeter’s parks and recreation department. “It was a win-win for us to have (the event)…we wanted to bring more people to Town House Common, especially with the vending machine ordinance we just passed.”
Last year, the city’s select committee approved new food truck bylaws that allocate six parking spaces along Town House Common for street vendors.
The cost of a parking permit along Town House Common is $1,200 per year or pro-rated $120 per month.
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Townhouse common to revitalize
Bisson said the city has worked hard to spruce up Town House Common in an effort to encourage local crowds to come there. This includes the new gazebo donated by TEAM and Ruffner Real Estate and built by the Facilities Department of Phillips Exeter Academy. The Parks and Recreation Department has also set up a staging area.
“That’s why we put picnic tables in all of our alcoves to allow more people to be in Town House Common and eat outside,” he said. “We’re just trying to give (people) the option to stay outside more – if they feel comfortable that way.”
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Bisson said the weekly events were well attended. They only had to cancel twice due to weather.
Organizers hope Tune & Fork Tuesday will become a new summertime tradition in town.
“It’s a beautiful little park that for years has been searching for an identity,” said Scott Ruffner, TEAM’s general manager. “We’ve already seen a big increase in activity from people now enjoying a packed lunch or a relaxing break from walking and shopping downtown.”
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Upcoming Tune & Fork Tuesday Concerts
July 26: Groove Lounge
August 2: Todd Hearon and Friends
August 9: Redemption Reggae Band
August 16: Clandestine Trio
August 23: wood, wind and whiskey