RAPID CITY, S.D. — What started as a simple idea inspired by a beloved community tradition in Colorado has grown into one of Rapid City’s most anticipated summer gatherings.

Every Tuesday evening from June through Sept. 15, families, friends and visitors gather at Canyon Lake Park for Family Food Truck Night, an event that combines local food, live music, outdoor recreation and community spirit in one of the Black Hills’ most scenic settings.

For organizer Ashley Lee, the inspiration came from her family’s experience in Fort Collins, Colorado.

“The original vision came from watching Fort Collins, where we moved here from 10 years ago,” Lee said. “They have an amazing food truck night in the park, and we always enjoyed the vibe they had and the sense of community that it brought together.”

After moving to Rapid City and noticing there wasn’t a similar event, Lee and a group of supporters decided to create one.

“We decided to try to create a night in the park similar to bring our community together as well,” she said.

Today, Family Food Truck Night has evolved into a weekly destination for residents throughout Rapid City and the Black Hills region.

While the food trucks remain the main attraction, the event offers much more than dinner.

Each week features live entertainment from local musicians, while the Rapid City Public Library’s Bookmobile allows families to check out and return books right at the park. Visitors can also enjoy Canyon Lake Park’s playgrounds, volleyball courts, lawn games and fishing opportunities.

“There’s truly something for everyone of all ages to gather together,” Lee said.

The food lineup has expanded significantly as well. This season features 35 participating food trucks operating on a rotating schedule, with approximately 15 vendors attending each week.

Guests can find everything from burgers, tacos and barbecue to sushi, Asian cuisine, Colombian dishes, Punjabi food, dirty sodas, funnel cakes, rolled ice cream and more.

“We really have a thriving food scene in our food truck community now to serve all tastes,” Lee said.

Family Food Truck Night originally began at Sioux Park before quickly outgrowing the space. The move to Canyon Lake Park proved to be a turning point for the event.

“After just a few short years we outgrew that space and moved over to Canyon Lake Park, which brought an overwhelming response of excitement from all involved,” Lee said.

The park’s natural beauty and family-friendly amenities have helped make the event feel like much more than a weekly food truck gathering.

“Watching everyone on a Tuesday night out enjoying time together in the beautiful park is why we started this event,” she said.

Over the years, the event has grown from a handful of food trucks with a big vision into what many families now consider a summertime tradition.

“What began as just a few trucks hanging out in the park, one with a big vision and some friends that could see it and believe in it too, has turned into a must-attend family event of the summer,” Lee said.

Rather than pointing to one specific milestone, Lee says the event’s success can be found in the small moments that happen every week.

“The beauty we see and the joy we get every week from watching a family play and laugh together in the park, or the children running and dancing to the band, a local musician getting to share their gift, or a new food trucker being part of the event and having a successful night, it’s all the little moments that truly are what make this event great,” she said.

For anyone who has yet to experience Family Food Truck Night, Lee believes the event represents some of the very best qualities of Rapid City and South Dakota.

“Because we live in a beautiful place with so much talent and diversity that you can come down to the park and experience a true sense of community, fun, food and joy amongst everyone,” she said. “It’s a night of enjoying this amazing community and those around you while supporting many local small businesses as well. That’s what South Dakota is all about.”

Family Food Truck Night takes place every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Canyon Lake Park in Rapid City through Sept. 15. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, family and friends and enjoy an evening of local food, live entertainment and community in the heart of the Black Hills.