Dole Whip ice cream featured with 15 food trucks for summer festival in Lower Burrell

It’s all about the Dole Whip food truck and an array of 14 more food trucks for Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3’s Summer Celebration on Saturday.

The event, which runs from 1 to 6 p.m., is one of four food truck rallies offered by the fire company this year.

The Dole Whip food truck will feature its sweet treats that are a favorite at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., said Brennan Sites, assistant chief for Lower Burrell No. 3.

A Disney tourist blog explained the appeal of the popular Dole nondairy soft serve: “Much like a dangerous narcotic, Dole Whips are incredibly addictive. In terms of healthy living, this isn’t a problem, as Dole Whips have only 80 calories (for a half-cup serving).”

The new vendor to the Lower Burrell fire company event is exactly what organizers want to offer residents.

“We try to have something different for people when they come to our events to eat,” he said.

Not so coincidentally, the Dole Whip food truck is showing up for the company’s Summer Celebration, which will feature more than 60 raffle baskets, craft beer and lots of free children’s games.

Attendance is free. Games, prizes and face painting will be offered for free in a special Children’s Corner for children younger than 12.

If residents want to show up with their kids just to play, they are welcome, Sites said.

The 15 food trucks will serve up Asian and Mexican cuisine, barbecue, gyros, apple dumplings, sandwiches, pizza and more.

Beverages will include craft beer from Conny Creek Brewing in Allegheny Township.

To keep the customers cool, the fire company is setting up covered seating with fans inside and out of the firehouse, Sites said.

Raffle baskets will feature an eclectic mix of items such as a kid’s bicycle; tickets to the upcoming Motley Crue/Def Leppard/Poison/Joan Jett concert; beer and beverage baskets; gift cards from local businesses from manicures to food to restaurant gift certificates; the latest toys for kids; and more.

The food truck rallies, paired with other activities, themes, and offerings, were developed during the covid-19 pandemic when the company had to find a new way to raise money. Sites said the rallies have since become an integral part of No. 3’s fundraising efforts.

Two more food truck rallies are planned featuring arts and crafts and an Oktoberfest-themed event.