On July 20, Dearborn will join the popular mobile food trend when the first ever Food Truck Rally comes to west downtown.

The Dearborn Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority and the Michigan Mobile Food Vendor's Association, is hosting the first of three such events in the west Dearborn parking lot behind PizzaPapalis.

The event will run from 5-9 p.m., and will bring nine vendors to the area to sell a variety of foods from mobile units–including ice cream, gourmet hot dogs, tacos and more.

Subsequent Food Truck Rallies will be held in Dearborn on Aug. 24 and Sept. 21 at the lot between the West Village Parking Decks, and the parking lot behind the Double Olive, respectively.

“It’s like an ice cream truck,” explained chamber President Jennifer Giering. “All self-sustaining trucks literally throw up side of their truck and each one has a specialty gourmet menu.”

For example, Jacques Tacos will bring their braised rib and roasted pork tacos; Treat Dreams will sell their handmade ice cream; and Franks Anatra will have upscale hot dog offerings.

Live music will accompany the event, and families are encouraged.

Giering said the idea came together quickly, thanks to the MMFVA’s network of local mobile food vendors. The chamber placed a call to the association, and soon had a slew of vendors on board.

She added that in her talks with other groups that have brought the event to Royal Oak, Ferndale and other cities, the event has not only been fun for attendees, but helpful for local businesses.

“We don’t want to create an event that will take business away from restaurants,” Giering explained. “We know for a fact that 700 people walked away from the event in Ferndale and went to local businesses.“

And for those who have never tried it, she thinks it will be a surprisingly fun, new experience for Dearborn.

“It’s kind of kitschy,” she said. “It’s edgy and cool and urban. We think this is going to be fun.”

Learn more about the vendors at www.mmfva.org.