‘Big losses’: Cancellation of Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival another blow to vendors
Myrtle Beach resident Kerry Ragland said he’s lost about $60,000 this year as the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the food truck business.
On Monday, his business took another big hit, though an anticipated one. The Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival and the City of Myrtle Beach announced via Facebook on Monday afternoon that the annual event, which had been rescheduled from the spring due to the coronavirus pandemic, has been canceled.
“I knew it was coming. Once they canceled the CCMF I knew it was gonna happen because that’s a City of Myrtle Beach-sanctioned event,” said Ragland, referencing the Carolina Country Music Festival. “I was just waiting for when it was gonna happen.”
For Ragland, who owns and operates Kurbside Katering, and other food truck vendors, it was just more disappointing news in a year that’s been devastated by COVID-19.
“We’ve lost so much money this year it’s not even funny,” Ragland said. “We’re down $60,000 from last year.
“We’ve all taken big losses. I mean, some of these fair people that are food vendors that go to these fairs have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars because all the fairs have been canceled since this started.”
Like Ragland, who says his business can survive because his wife has a a full-time job and his food truck is relatively inexpensive to run, the food truck community was hit hard by the news.
“This isn’t what we had hoped would be our first post about the rescheduled fall dates for this year’s Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival,” the Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival posted to Facebook on Monday.
The event, which brings in dozens of food trucks annually, had been rescheduled for Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
“Alas, this year’s Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival has been cancelled out of an abundance of caution. Everyone’s health and safety takes top priority with COVID-19 still a factor,” the Myrtle Beach City Government stated in a Facebook post on Monday.
While Ragland and others understand the decision, it still serves as another big loss in a year dashed by the coronavirus.
“It’s horrible, man,” said Ragland, who, like some other food truck vendors, travels to regional events as well. “It’s like when you were a kid and you were playing dominoes. Once one goes, they all start going downhill. That’s their money maker. That’s one of the biggest ones we do.”
Both the City of Myrtle Beach and the Myrtle Beach Food Festival advised those interested to stay tuned for 2021. This year’s event would have been the fourth.
“Once things begin to normalize and possible dates for 2021 are discussed, we will update everyone. Until then, stay safe!” the Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival stated in its Facebook post.
Ragland said he’s doing his best to stay positive during these trying times.
“We keep our heads high, man,” Ragland said. “That’s what we’ve got to do.”
This story was originally published August 17, 2020 at 7:14 PM.
