The “Food Truck Rally” comes to Dearborn Friday, July 20.

The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Dearborn and the West Dearborn Downtown Authority will host the first of three food truck rallies planned for this summer.

The first event, sponsored by Westborn Market, will take place Friday, July 20 from 5 – 9 p.m. in Lot C, just behind Pizza Papalis and west of Monroe Street.

Patrons can expect 8-10 food trucks selling gourmet fare directly from their “kitchen-on-wheels.”

Committed food trucks include Franks Anatra, Concrete Cuisine, Treat Dreams, Ned’s, Mack Shack, El Guappo, PPC, and Jacques Tacos. On average, food items are priced between $4-$7. Patrons can enjoy live music, as well.

The Dearborn Chamber says that thanks to the Michigan Mobile Food Truck Association, food truck rallies are becoming very popular in the region with events scheduled regularly in Royal Oak, downtown Detroit and Ferndale, among others. Future events will be held August 24 and September 21 from 5 – 9 p.m. in downtown West Dearborn.

Food trucks experienced a boom just as the economy started to decline in 2008. Restaurateurs who were hesitant to drop serious cash on launching a restaurant turned to mobile trucks as a less expensive way to sell food in a down economy.

While one might think these food trucks could hurt the taxpaying restaurants in the area, the Dearborn Chamber claims that existing restaurants experience an upswing in revenue by proximity to these rallies.

“We think this will be an exciting and unique way to bring families downtown on Friday evenings for food, fun and entertainment,” Jennifer Giering of the Dearborn Chamber said in a prepared statement. “These community events have a tremendous economic impact on surrounding businesses with the first event in Ferndale attracting 1,500 people, many of which patronized local bars and restaurants after the event.”