Concert, food truck event in Jeannette kicks off May 23

A popular event combining music and food trucks in downtown Jeannette is set to kick off May 23.

That’s when the first event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Elliott Group Amphitheater at Clay Avenue and South Fifth Street, with crowds spilling out into the surrounding blocks. Every other Thursday through Sept. 5, that area will be filled with people — typically at least 500 but some weeks as many as 1,000, said Meigan Nicolai, a member of the concerts and food trucks committee with the Jeannette Business Association.

The free event was started in 2018 by volunteer Laura Smith who wanted visitors to experience Jeannette’s ongoing growth.

“I think that people see that when they come,” Nicolai said.

Smith died last year.

Some of the food trucks change each time. The lineup for each week will be posted in advance on the JBA’s Facebook page. A beer garden is nearby and the event will be held rain or shine. Organizers, including chairperson Missy Miller, select a different nonprofit to benefit from a 50/50 raffle.

“We’ve been able to give thousands of dollars to local charities,” Nicolai said.

Meanwhile, Jeannette officials are looking into rectifying an electricity issue at Clay Avenue and South Fifth Street that has resulted in three businesses running extension cords to help some who participate in the event.

Association president Carole Babish on Thursday asked city council to fix the situation.

“It’s unfair for three businesses to supply electricity for all the vendors and crafters,” she said.

Fire Chief Bill Frye said he’s looking into possibly running electricity underground from the amphitheater to the intersection to provide an outlet panel for event participants.