First Friday is a monthly celebration of downtown life where streets close and the community comes alive. Enjoy live music and performances, local artisans, makers, food and drinks from local spots and food trucks, car show, special activities, and promotions. 

We welcome vendors who help create an energetic, welcoming downtown experience:

• Non-profit organizations
• Local artisans and crafters
• Food vendors and Food Trucks
• Community groups with event-appropriate activities

Start here:

Step 1 — Become an approved Vendor. Start by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/yZCa2fLwKVHyp2x46

Step 2 — Approved Vendors will receive a monthly vendor registration email with the date and time registration will open, the number of vendor spaces available for that month, and a link to register. 

Spaces are limited and filled first come, first served. Approval does not guarantee a vendor space.

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is implementing a series of improvements to its First Friday food truck program and downtown event operations in direct response to concerns shared by community members and vendors. These enhancements are designed to elevate visitor experience, support food truck operators, and ensure safer, more enjoyable downtown gatherings. All proposed improvements will be supported through the fee structure developed to sustainably fund these operational upgrades.

What’s Changing? 

1. Tiered Pricing Based on Location

Not all food truck locations have equal foot traffic. To address concerns about fairness and visibility, food truck operators will now have the ability to self-select available locations.

• Tier 1 – Queen Square & Oglethorpe Block: $75
• Tier 2 – Newcastle Street: $95
• Tier 3 – Gloucester & Newcastle Intersection: $110

This structure increases transparency around placement value and reduces confusion related to rotation by allowing food trucks to choose their preferred location.

2. 6-Month Spot Lock Option

Starting in April, to provide greater predictability and support advance planning for food truck operators, they may now reserve their location for up to six months at a time. This option:

• Reduces uncertainty around rotation
• Allows better long-term planning
• Creates consistency for vendors and customers

Six-month reservations receive a $50 total discount.

If a reserved vendor is unable to attend:

• The DDA must be notified in advance
• If the space is resold, the vendor will be reimbursed
• If not resold, the registration fee will be forfeited

After the six-month registration window closes, remaining spaces will be available at standard monthly rates.

3. Expanded Food Truck Capacity

To increase maximum participation opportunities and reduced competition for limited spots we are increasing the maximum number of food truck spaces from 14 to 19. All spaces are not always available due to other events or historic slow periods. This expansion:

• Reduces competition for limited spots
• Increases participation opportunities
• Improves distribution across the event footprint

Merchant Collaboration

Downtown merchants have indicated if they would like food trucks to be placed in front of their businesses when feasible. Final placement decisions will continue to prioritize safety and logistics.

How Revenue Will Be Used?

Revenue generated through the updated fee structure will be reinvested directly into First Friday operations, including:

Enhancing Entertainment to Improve Crowd Flow

Feedback indicated that inconsistent entertainment led to uneven crowd distribution during events. To address this, the DDA will begin strategically placing entertainment in lower‑traffic areas to better balance visitor flow and support activation throughout the downtown district.

Improved Visibility and Navigation for Food Truck Areas

Concerns were raised about barricades and visual barriers—particularly around Queen Square—making food trucks difficult to locate. The DDA will purchase crowd‑control barriers with visually engaging covers to clearly mark closures and help guide attendees more effectively, ensuring food truck zones remain prominent and accessible.

More Predictable Vendor Placement and Improved Communication

Vendors expressed the need for greater consistency in placement and for clearer communication regarding event logistics. The newly implemented system allows food trucks to reserve preferred locations for up to six months at a time, creating predictability and reducing last‑minute updates.

Strengthened Marketing and Public Visibility for Vendors

To support food truck visibility and engagement, the DDA will continue providing a list of participating trucks in “Know Before You Go” materials. Additionally, new digital mapping tools will allow truck locations to be shared on social media and integrated into online maps, offering greater transparency and easier planning for attendees.

Youth Engagement and Safety Measures

Concerns regarding unaccompanied minors at events have also been acknowledged. The DDA will commit funding toward expanded youth engagement programs during downtown events. Potential partners include City Parks & Recreation, The Brick, VSM, and Glynn

County Schools, all of which may help provide safe, supervised programming for young attendees.

Funding the Improvements

To ensure long‑term program stability, all operational and infrastructure enhancements will be funded through the new fee structure, designed to support ongoing improvements without relying on general operating funds.

These investments are designed to support long-term sustainability and growth.

Our Commitment

These updates reflect direct feedback from food truck operators and are intended to create a more predictable, transparent, and sustainable system for everyone involved.

For questions regarding registration or placement, please contact: info@discoverbrunswick.com