Tag Archives: food trucks

A Little Local Music for Me

Posted on August 26, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Earlier tonight I made a short top at the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown, the weekly food truck festival in Meyers Park, to hear a little bit of K.O. Grainger.  It could only be a short stop, since I had to attend the Ilion Village Board meeting, but it was worth it.  For one reason, I got a hot dog from The Corner Office.  Yum!

They rock!

 

I first heard Matt Grainger playing acoustic guitar at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort (you may have seen a couple of my blog posts mentioning him).  K.O. Grainger is a two-man band with him and his brother, and they are awesome!

A closer view.

I sat at a picnic table and ate my hot dog, tapping my feet. I had to get up and dance to one song.  Nobody joined me, but at the Chowdown, people don’t judge (that I can see).  The audience was enjoying the tunes, clapping and singing along.

There are not many weeks left of the Downtown Chowdown, which runs Mondays in Meyers Park, starting at 4 p.m.  According to their Facebook page, September 1 and 8 are the last two this year.  If you like food truck food and live music, I suggest you check it out!

 

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A Stop at the Chowdown

Posted on June 5, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday was the first Herkimer Downtown Chowdown of the year!  The food truck festival takes place Mondays all summer long in Meyers Park.  It features a variety of vendors and live music.  I had to cover the Herkimer Town Board Meeting for the Sentinel Media Company yesterday, and it was right on my way to stop and have a hot dog.  Like I said, a variety of food choices, but I LOVE hot dogs!

Herkimer loves its Chowdown!

Full disclosure:  I did not take any pictures, trusting to having something in my Media Library I could use.  I did not stay long at the Chowdown  anyways.  I enjoyed my hot dog and chatted with a couple of my friends from the Herkimer County Historical Society.  They had a table where they were selling tickets for their grill raffle as well as promoting some of their events.  I may go to a class on genealogical research.

Another picture from a different year, but I think this truck was there again.

Hildreth and Kelsey were the musical entertainment.  They were still playing when I came back through the park after my meeting.  I danced my way along the path.  I find musicians like it when you do that.

You can follow the event on Facebook at The New Herkimer Downtown Chowdown.  I hope to catch a few of my favorite musicians there, at least briefly.  And sample some of the other delicious foods!

 

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Another Posers Post!

Posted on June 20, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Monday I braved the heat to walk down to Meyers Park for the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown.  My favorite band, The Posers, were playing.  How could I not go?  As it happened, I had not been feeling well all day.  No specific symptoms, just very run down, tired, and blah.  Could I have partied too heartily on the weekend?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!  I walked to the post office first, to mail a few postcards, then wandered around the park, deciding what to eat.

I finally decided on a hot dog from K Dogs BBQ.  It was big!  It was yummy!  I sat down at a picnic table in the shade and did not have long to wait till the band started.

They rock!

It was difficult to get a good shot, because of the posts on the pavilion and the setting sun.  Then again, I am an amateur with a cell phone.  A professional photographer was there and a friend shared some beautiful shots from him on Facebook.  Minter Photography was the guy (for once I was not too lazy to go looking for it).  You can check out his Facebook page.

It’s too bad I was not in the mood to dance.

I did boogey a little while I took the pictures but was not my usual Dancing Queen self  (I did not dub myself that; a fellow at work did) (yes, I dance at work.  If they don’t want me to dance, they should not play music).

Bass players rule!

Of course I had to zoom in on my friend Rick, the bass player. I also tried to get a good shot of Becky, the drummer.

You just can’t beat a good drummer. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Probably I should have tried for a few shots.  I must clean out the storage on my Tablet, which takes better pictures.

I love the ceiling of the pavilion.

I guess I don’t have a whole lot more to say than they were great, here are some pictures.

One more shot.

I was sorry I did not feel up to staying to hear more, but I was happy I had been there to support a community event as well as some of my favorite local musicians.  The Herkimer Downtown Chowdown runs every Monday in Meyers Park.  You can get some good food and hear some great music!

 

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Good Music at the Chowdown

Posted on June 11, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last Monday I received an unexpected invitation to join my friends Jim and Kelly at the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown.  Since it is walking distance from my house, I gladly took a walk down.  It was a beautiful evening, sunny with a little bit of a breeze.  Meyers Park, where the Chowdown is held, has plenty of shade.  Kelly and Jim had brought chairs.  I must do that next time.  Kelly volunteered to get a blanket out of their car and sit on the ground so I could have a chair. Since I had my Monday backache, I was very grateful for that (I don’t know if I ever mentioned it, but I get a backache most Mondays.  After relaxing all weekend, my back has a “What the hell?” attitude when I go back to work).

Kelly and I walked among the food trucks, pondering our choices.  We finally went to The Corner Office where I got a hamburger and Kelly got chicken tenders.  We went back and sat down while Jim went and got some loaded nachos.  I foolishly neglected to ask which truck he got them from; they looked really good.  We settled down to eat (chow down?) and listen to the band.

They really rocked.

It was an ’80’s band called Remedy.  ’80’s music is near and dear to my heart.  I often observe that it may not have been the best decade, but, man, what a soundtrack!  I say the same thing about the ’60’s and ’70’s.  Of course all decades have their good and bad points;  music was definitely one of the good points about the ’80’s.

The lead singer called a guitarist named Marco out of the crowd to join them for a song or two.  He was very good too.  Apparently there was some controversy, because the lead guy said he had cleared it with somebody named Anthony but expressed concern that some people were videotaping.  Yes, I had to choose that moment to take a couple pictures for the blog post.  Herkimer’s mayor was making a video, no doubt destined for their Facebook page.

Don’t tell Anthony! Whoever he is.

I had a really great time, but had to leave early, because I remembered I needed to put out my trash and recyclables (Tuesday is trash day in my neighborhood).  Jim, Kelly, and I made plans to get together to watch the next play at Ilion Little Theatre (preview of coming attractions).

I will just mention that Jim and Kelly are father and daughter.  Jim’s wife and Kelly’s mother is Phyllis, my late dearly missed friend, who I have mentioned many times in this space.

For more information about The New Herkimer Downtown Chowdown, you can visit their Facebook page.

 

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Late Post, Brief Shout-out

Posted on May 22, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday was another Blogger’s Sick Day.  My allergies have been kicking my butt, and last night I could only lay down (lie down?) with a sinus headache and try to sleep.  Oh, listen to me whine: poor, pitiful me!  Right now I am only hoping that coffee will be, well, the miracle I am hoping for.

Picture from the Media Library.

One thing I have been wanting to write about is the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown.  Food truck gatherings are very popular around here, and Herkimer has a wonderful setting at Meyers Park.  There is plenty of shade, and generous donors have provided picnic tables.  Best of all, from my point of view, is the musical entertainment, also courtesy of generous sponsors.

Rock on!

When I went to the inaugural Chowdown last week, KO Grainger was playing, one of my favorite local bands.  I hope to return as the summer wears on for The Posers, Phil Arcuri, and more.  I may even find a few new musicians to follow.

I had meant to write more about the Chowdown, possibly including a list of upcoming entertainment and sponsors (which would entail doing, dare I say it? research!).  Unfortunately, last night’s sinus headache has left me drained.  I’m going to bill this as a late Tired Tuesday post and adjourn to test the miraculous healing properties of coffee.

 

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Briefly, about Brewvey’s

Posted on September 24, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

I mentioned Brewvey’s Bites in yesterday’s post. I saw them again the very next day at a vendor fair at the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing in Ilion, NY.

I was happy to see them!

I was glad they were there, because I was hungry! Steve and I both got cheeseburgers with chips (Lay’s plain, yum!). The bun was toasted. Yummy!

Food trucks seem to pop up all over the place these days: Herkimer Downtown Chowdown, Food Truck Frenzy, and at local breweries. I will definitely look for Brewvey Bites again.

Other good stuff to try!

This is a short post, but you’ll have that. I need to leave soon for a meeting of Ilion Little Theatre Club. Yes, I am trying to get some theatre back in my life. It should be good for a blog post or two. As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

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We Chow Down in Herkimer

Posted on August 17, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

Steven and I have been wanting to go to the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown for a while now. Tonight we finally made it.

Lots of choices!

We enjoyed the music from the band while we scanned the food trucks, deciding on our repast.

Nice lady!

I must return next week to purchase a t-shirt. I chatted with Melody Couchman, the volunteer selling them. She graciously allowed me to take her picture. She told me the band was called Last Left. We agreed that ’70’s and ’80’s music was great.

I wish I had gotten a better picture of the band.

We really enjoyed Last Left. Another local band to watch for! When I walked by to take a picture, I saw that Herkimer High School Class of 1983 was the sponsor of tonight’s event. I think my high school class ought to sponsor something!

Another local business to check out.

We both felt full from dinner. However, after looking at some of the stuff offered by the Mad Batter Bakery (don’t you just love that name?), we reconsidered. Steven had a chocolate filled finger, and I had a plain donut. Then we were really stuffed!

I could have sat and listened to the band longer, but we needed to get home. For one reason, I wanted to make this blog post. I was happy to see so many people out enjoying the evening and the event. We also saw a lot of cute dogs. Altogether a very enjoyable time.

The Herkimer Downtown Chowdown is held every Monday, June to October, from 4 to 8 p.m. in Myers Park in Herkimer, NY.

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Good Music at the Chowdown

Posted on October 13, 2020 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been interested in the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown for a while but did not make my way down till tonight. I had a letter I wanted to mail, so that worked out: I go right through Meyer’s Park on my way to the post office. I brought my Tablet to take some pictures, and made sure I had a mask.

I could smell tantalizing aromas as I got to the park. I had my purse with me but knew it would be far more sensible to go home and heat up leftovers. I mailed the letter first, then went back through the park, Tablet on Camera mode.

Italian Ice! Yum!

I wanted to get a picture of all the trucks, but I purposely tried not to get any people. Sad to admit, but I did not feel like talking to anybody, asking permission, taking names, etc.

Said to be good for allergies. However, I am pretty set for local honey right now.
Both of these looked pretty appetizing.

I think I’ve heard about Brewvey Bites being other places locally. In any case, I like the punny name.

I was tempted by the bus and the van!

A big draw for me was live music by local musician Max Scialdone. I have heard him before and liked him. I stood by a tree and listened to a few songs. I especially liked Margaritaville. He substituted Herkimer for one of the Margaritavilles, and his whistling was awesome.

The tiki torches were a nice touch.

I was wishing I had brought a lawn chair, as some people had. However it was a little chilly for the way I was dressed (I had been misled by a hot flash before I left home). I enjoyed what I heard.

I don’t know how long the Chowdown will go on. The Facebook event says they are the second and fourth Monday from July to September. I’m glad they went at least one Monday in October, so I got a blog post in. I’ll have to watch to see if it happens again. If not, I shall look forward to next year.

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Diamond Days are Under Way!

Posted on August 3, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I just got back from checking out day one of the Herkimer Diamond Days Street Festival, and thought I would make a quick post plugging the event.

Can you read it? My Tablet would not let me zoom in.

My husband Steven and I went down to the End Zone Pub and Grub, because I wanted a cup of the Gem Juice which I so enjoyed during previous Diamond Days.

We were sitting at the table on the right for a while.

We had a couple of drinks and got some food from a food truck.  The food trucks vended from 5 to 7 p.m.  Live music began at 8 p.m. with Jenny & The Buckshot 5.  We were not there that long, unfortunately.

Where the music was going to play.

One view of the vendors.

Our view as we walked back to our car.

Diamond Days continue on Saturday Aug. 3 with food and street vendors, a dunk tank,  performances and more.  Most events take place on North Main Street.  One exception is the Herkimer Elks Lodge Car Show in Meyer’s Park.  Herkimer County Historical Society will hold their book sale and the History Mystery further up N. Main Street.  Additionally, tours of the 1834 Jail will be offered.

For more information,  you can visit the website http://www.HerkimerBPA.com or the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/herkimerspoppin/.

 

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Diamond Daze on Lame Post Friday

Posted on August 4, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

So Herkimer Diamond Days kicked off this evening.  I noticed folks setting up for a chicken barbecue and food trucks while I was running this afternoon (short, muggy run, not worthy of a Runny Commentary post). I got home and told Steven what I had seen.

“I wanted to get a beer and sit in front of the End Zone Pub,” I told him.

To my surprise, he said, “Let’s do it.”

We did.  Our friend Kim joined us.  What a fun time!

The End Zone’s kitchen was closed, but Kim and I got beers and we sat down at a table on the sidewalk.  Steven checked out that food trucks and one that offered hot dogs (I foolishly did not get its name).  He has been craving a hot dog.  He got a hot dog and french fries.  It looked so good that I went and got a hot dog for myself.  Yes, I ate some of Steven’s fries, don’t judge me! We settled down and watched the crowd.

Steven got a drink after he got his food.  After Kim and I finished our beers, we wanted to try something called Gem Juice.  For one reason, you got to keep the cup.  In fact, the cup was only a plastic one with a beer logo on it.  I was hoping for something about the Diamond Days or at least the End Zone.  However, the drink was damn tasty.  It was gin, run, vodka and clear fruit juice.  They told me the exact proportions, in case I wanted to make it myself at home, but I do not remember what they were.

“I can just add more to taste,” I suggested.  I am more fond of gin than of vodka.  On the other hand, I am not at all sure I will be trying this recipe at home any time soon.

Full disclosure:  the Gem Juice gave me a bit of a buzz.  I don’t drink much of the hard stuff lately, I guess it goes right to my head.  The point is, we had fun.  And it is Lame Post Friday.  I hope your Friday is equally as fun.

 

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