THE Rotary Club of Georgetown Central is set to stage its inaugural Rotary on Wheels Food Truck Festival on October 24, bringing together local food vendors, entrepreneurs, families and food enthusiasts for a celebration of Guyana’s culinary culture, while raising funds for community-based initiatives.
The festival was officially launched recently during a cocktail reception at Fresh Café, Carmichael Street, Georgetown, attended by representatives of the private sector, government agencies, diplomatic community, media and civil society.
Organisers said the event is intended to promote local entrepreneurship, strengthen community participation and contribute to the growth of Guyana’s tourism and entertainment sectors.
A culinary competition will also form part of the festival, with attendees expected to rate participating vendors. Winning food truck operators will receive trophies and medals.
The Rotary Club said it hopes to develop Rotary on Wheels into an annual signature event that celebrates Guyana’s culinary diversity while creating a sustainable fundraising platform for its service projects.
All proceeds from the festival will support the club’s charitable initiatives, in keeping with Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.”
Among the programmes expected to benefit are the club’s annual back-to-school initiative and its Hampers for the Holidays programme.
Over the past three years, the back-to-school initiative has provided nearly 800 children with backpacks and essential school supplies, while the holiday programme has distributed Christmas hampers to more than 1,000 households across Guyana over the past five years.
The Rotary Club of Georgetown Central has served communities in Guyana for more than four decades through initiatives focused on education, health, youth development, entrepreneurship, environmental improvement and assistance to vulnerable families.
The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), which joined the club for the launch, welcomed the initiative, particularly its potential to promote culinary tourism and provide greater exposure for local food vendors.
THAG President Mitra Ramkumar said the festival could help showcase Guyana’s diverse cuisine while creating opportunities for food entrepreneurs to reach new customers and strengthen their businesses.
The October 24 event is expected to bring together food vendors, businesses, community leaders, Rotarians, volunteers and sponsors, with organisers positioning it as a family-oriented celebration of food, culture and entertainment.
The launch also included the induction of two new members into the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central.
With plans already underway to make Rotary on Wheels an annual event, organisers said the festival will combine entertainment and culinary experiences with a broader objective, generating resources to support community development initiatives across Guyana.