Food Trucks for Freedom Festival Hosts Free Family Friendly Event Featuring Charlie Robison Saturday, November 16 at Rockin' R River Rides

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas, Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, November 16, from 1 to 11 p.m., Rockin' R River Rides in New Braunfels, Texas will serve as the venue and lead sponsor of the first Food Trucks for Freedom Festival. 

Founded by veterans, Food Trucks for Freedom (FTF) is a nonprofit designed to empower veterans by helping them succeed as entrepreneurs in the mobile food or franchise industry. The organization's initial goal is to raise money through grants, sponsorships, events and individual donors to award grants to 30 veterans by the end of 2014.

"The best way to thank a veteran for his or her service and sacrifice is to help them adjust to life outside of the military," said Justin Harris, retired Marine and president of FTF. "Providing veterans with opportunities to become entrepreneurs or to work within franchises that recognize and support their time in the military is a great way to help them make successful transitions into civilian life."

Harris has had a variety of work experiences, but it was his time at Kitchens on Wheels that gave him the idea to start an organization dedicated to finding opportunities for veterans within the mobile food and franchise industries.

The 10-hour FTF Festival is the organization's kick-off event and will include music, food, refreshments, cooking demonstrations, sand volleyball tournaments, and child-friendly activities like face-painting and chances to navigate an inflatable obstacle course. A $10 donation is desired but not required to enter.

The program starts at 2 p.m. with an opening ceremony featuring appearances by the New Braunfels High School, MCJROTC drill team and the Canyon High School football team and cheerleaders. Performances throughout the day include headliner Charlie Robison, plus Mario Flores & the Soda Creek Band, Wes Nickson, Hogg Maulies, and Jennifer Sullivan. Foodies will meet and greet Martie Duncan, Food Network Season 8 finalist, and Brad Grill-Sergeant Turner, who will conduct a cooking demonstration. Food trucks including Pretty Thai for a White Guy, Bleu Bowls, Peachwave Frozen Yogurt, Teka Molino, and Buffalo Wings & Rings will offer a wide variety of tasty treats.  

For more information, visit www.foodtrucksforfreedom.org or search #FT4F on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

SOURCE Food Trucks for Freedom