RAPID CITY, SD — After a breakout debut that drew thousands, the Black Hills Food Truck Fest is returning for its second year with more food, more entertainment and an expanded two-day format.

The festival, hosted at Black Hills Harley-Davidson, will take place Friday, May 29 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 30 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., transforming the venue into a hub for food, music and community connection.

Event organizer Jesse Lee, owner of The Good Stuffed Food Truck, said the idea for the festival had been in the works long before its successful debut.

“This has been in the works for two years prior to last year,” Lee said. “I wanted to make a kickoff party to Family Food Truck Night, but way bigger and better.”

Inspired by similar festivals in North Dakota, Lee said he saw an opportunity to bring that same large-scale food truck experience to the Black Hills. What he didn’t expect was just how quickly the community would embrace it.

“Eight to ten thousand people showed up,” Lee said. “It made it the most incredible experience I had ever been a part of.”

That overwhelming turnout is what pushed the event to evolve into a two-day festival in 2026.

This year’s event promises to be “bigger, bolder and better,” with more than 35 food trucks expected, along with additional vendors, expanded entertainment and family-friendly activities.

“We added another day, more trucks, unique non-food vendors and now we have four bands instead of just one,” Lee said.

From classic festival staples to international flavors, the food lineup is designed to offer something for every taste.

“Anything you want your taste buds to try is going to be there,” Lee said. “Burgers, brats, tacos, authentic Ecuadorian food, BBQ, steak tips, Asian food, Mexican food, ice cream, shaved ice, lemonade, dirty sodas, pizza, popcorn.”

One standout attraction this year includes a massive smoker setup from Scotty D’s BBQ.

“They’re bringing a legit 53-foot cattle trailer converted into a smoker,” Lee said. “It’s the coolest thing you’ll ever see.”

But the festival is about more than just food. Organizers have intentionally built an experience that caters to all ages, blending live music, a beer garden, games and even on-site tattoos.

“When you have an all-ages event like this, you need a little bit of something for everyone,” Lee said. “We want people to be able to bring their kids, grab food, check out vendors, have a drink and just enjoy the atmosphere.”

Live music will play a major role throughout the weekend, featuring a mix of local and regional talent. Flannel will headline Friday night, while Saturday’s lineup includes Johnny Hastings, Concrete Cowboys and the Tyler Bills Trio closing out the festival.

The partnership with Black Hills Harley-Davidson has also played a key role in the event’s growth, providing the space and infrastructure needed to support a large-scale festival.

“They’ve been amazing to work with,” Lee said. “Any issue an event might have, we don’t have at Harley. Power, parking, seating—it’s all covered.”

Beyond the entertainment and food, Lee emphasized the importance of community and creating opportunities for local businesses.

“We’re a family of food trucks,” Lee said. “Events like Summer Nights helped make my business what it is today, and I’ve always wanted to give back to the community the same way.”

As the festival continues to grow, Lee said the goal remains the same: bring people together while supporting local vendors and creating a memorable experience.

“To continue to grow this event and give other food trucks and businesses a place where they can come and get in front of the community is what we’re all about,” he said.

With thousands expected to attend once again, the Black Hills Food Truck Fest is shaping up to be one of the region’s premier early-summer events, a place where food, music and community collide.