WEST SPRINGFIELD – Get your sunblock, stretchy pants and appetites ready, the New England Food Truck Festival is coming to town.

The two-day event, which is the largest food truck festival in New England, will be located at the Eastern States Fairground. With a range from grilled cheese sandwiches to cupcakes, the festival will feature around 50 of New England’s premier food trucks on June 30, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and July 1, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Some of the participating trucks include Empanada Sonata, Bona Bona Ice Cream, Maui Wowi Hawaiian, Taste of Thai, Oath Pizza and Poutine Gourmet.

This year, each truck was challenged to create a “unique” item to offer during the festival, according to event coordinator Michael Lukaszewicz.

“The event is really about food trucks and food, and we’ve knocked it out of the park since year one,” he said. “It’s because it’s something new and it’s something kind of fresh. Food truck festivals have been going on for a bit, but we do it in a pretty different way than any other food truck-specific event in New England.”

Alcoholic beverages will also be offered.

Lukaszewicz described the application process for the attending food trucks as “rigorous,” which involves an online application. The event coordinator looks at the pictures of the food truck menus with his team, and compares it to the trucks that have been accepted in the past to make sure there are no duplicates.

While the festival is known for its fried eats and ethnic options, it has more to offer than just an edible experience.  A variety of musical performers are set to entertain for free.  

“We’ve worked very hard at turning it into a festival that is a fully-built out event – something that is more than just amazing food in a parking area,” said Lukaszewicz. “This year, we’ve taken the festival aspect to another level and we’ve brought in better musical talents.”

Nick Fradiani, the 2015 American Idol winner, is among the performers to take the stage. Sam Woolf and the White-Eyed Lizard Band are also scheduled to perform.

There will be an inflatable section – with around ten giant inflatable attractions – for children to play in, as well as field games and a corn hole tournament.

The 2018 presenting sponsor for this year’s event in The Traveler Beer Co. and the stage sponsors are Country 92.5 and All the Hits KISS 95.7.

General admission is $5 per person online and $8 per person at the gate. Children under the age of six are free. To purchase a ticket online head over to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-england-food-truck-festival-2018-tickets-44070101861.

For more information about the festival, check out https://www.nefoodtruckfest.com.