ABB Summer Kickoff & Food Truck Festival Offering More Seasonal Fun than Ever
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The 2025 ABB Summer Kickoff and Food Truck Festival will offer all fun and activities of the past plus some brand-new features. It all happens 4-7 p.m. Saturday, May 31.
“The ABB has been meeting for months, pinning down some fun features for this year’s kickoff,” said Jaclyn Rominger, Associated Businesses of Bridgeport president. “We want to provide family-friendly activities to kick off the summer season and lots of live music to keep everyone happy and lively throughout the event.”
Sponsored by Bridgeport Parks and Recreation and making its first appearance will be The Quantum Express, a colorful trackless train that will offer rides along Main Street.
“We thought this would be a unique, fun addition to Summer Kickoff,” said Amy Callahan, Bridgeport Recreation Coordinator and ABB member. “The Quantum Express will travel between the Civic Center and Fire Department and can carry 24 children or up to 16 adults.”
Also new will be a fun focus on art. On display along Main Street will be original pieces by Bridgeport’s own Lotus MacDowell. Available for viewing at the Benedum Civic Center will be artwork of local students.
“We have reached out to elementary schools, asking kids to design artwork based on the theme, ‘Summertime,’” said ABB President Jaclyn Rominger. “Adding these new elements to Summer Kickoff is a way to promote the arts and provide another reason for folks to come enjoy a summertime evening.”
The stage at Main and Center streets will feature the ‘80s tribute band, “Eighties Enough,” which has a history with the event. Other musicians located along Main Street include LeRoy & Gigs (at Winnie’s Café), Jessica Nuzum (at Bridgeport Fire Station), and Catie Packard (at WV Kicks).
“We are really happy with our entertainment line-up this year,” said Mark Bonamico of the ABB board. “Eighties Enough played for us in the past and people loved their upbeat music. Brandon LeRoy and Gigi Collett aka Leroy & Gigs is a vocal duo – performing various genres – who have also played at ABB events. Jessica Nuzum sometimes performs with Josh Oldaker, who is unable to be with us this year, but we are so pleased that Jessica can. And we are excited to add guitarist/vocalist Catie Packard this year.”
Serving as emcee is Dr. Mark Povroznik of United Hospital Center, who will delight guests with his quick whit and costume changes to complement events including the Dave’s Famous T&L Hotdog “Big Dog” Eating Contest and Della’s Deli Berry Pie Baking Contest.
The Dave’s Famous T&L Hot Dog “Big Dog” Eating Contest debuted at the ABB Summer Kickoff and Food Truck Festival in 2022, drawing plenty of attention and enthusiasm as a panel of participants competed to eat the most hotdogs – buns and all – during the 10-minute allotment. The winner will win $500 from Dave’s Famous T&L Hot Dogs and The Associated Business of Bridgeport. Each participant will be assigned a judge who will keep track of hotdogs consumed. Up to 10 contestants will be chosen to compete in the contest. Upload an entry form HERE and official rules HERE. Entry forms can be turned in at any Dave’s Famous T&L Hot Dog locations or submitted via email to tandlhotdogs@aol.com.
stage. Once judging is completed, pie will be available for tasting by Summer Kickoff attendees.
Another big moment will be the release of hundreds of beach balls, following an official countdown by Povroznik. The emcee will also facilitate a trivia contest for families in attendance. Parent/child or grandparent/child teams will be selected to participate in the contest with giveaways and a grand prize up for grabs.
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ABB member businesses and local organizations will set up tents and booths along Main Street offering everything from face painting and bubbles to kids’ games. Those already committed to participate are Ford Funeral Home, WIC, All Saints Catholic Church, About You Monograms, Kaufman Realty & Auctions, Bridgeport Public Library, East of Chicago Pizza, HempWorks, T-Mobile, Saint John’s Lutheran Church, Rominger Dental, and Stretch Zone.
The giant sandbox will be located between Expressions Hair Designs and About You Monongrams. A children’s area featuring inflatables, music and The Quantum Express will be in the vicinity of Benedum Civic Center.
The always popular Car Display will feature the classics and other vehicles that will be lined up along West Main Street (between the Loyd Lang Bridge and Dairy Queen), as well as the city parking lot across from the DQ/Crunch Time Gourmet Apples & Popcorn. There is no pre-registration. According to chairperson Doug Marquette, those who would like to show off their rides can arrive between 3:15 and 3:45 p.m., entering via Newton Avenue (across from Bridgeport Post Office) and Orchard Street (which leads to Main Street). Because Main Street will be closed to traffic and used for foot traffic during the event, cars will need to remain at the event until it is over at 7 p.m.
Food trucks on site will include Mister Crabb, Heavenly Hoagies, The Lunch Box, Big Kahuna, Hanlan’s Meat Market, Wonder Bubble, Mr. Taco, Almost Heaven Kona Ice, Yum Yum Grab Ya Some, and South Texas BBQ. Most will be set up between Davis Street and Center Street with a couple on the other side of the bridge – in the parking lot of WV Kicks and Allstate Insurance, said Hilary Gonzalez of the ABB board. Set up under pop-ups will be Kettle Pop, Pixie Sweets and Dish D’ Design.
Bridgeport Police Chief Mark Rogers said Main Street traffic will shut down between Virginia Avenue and Philadelphia Avenue around 3:45 p.m and reopen shortly after 7 p.m. During that time, traffic will be rerouted along Virginia and Philadelphia avenues.