Congdon’s After Dark will give free doughnuts to all first responders and medical personnel during Memorial Day weekend as the popular food truck park kicks off its fifth season of operation.

New England’s first daily food truck park – located on Route One in Wells, ME – will open for its fifth season on Thursday, May 27th at 4 p.m. The park, located outside Congdon’s Doughnuts Family Restaurant & Bakery, hosts up to 10 food trucks in the evenings from late-May until early-October.

Every guest who identifies themselves as a first responder or medical professional at Congdon’s Sugar Shack food truck will receive a free doughnut. Congdon’s Owner Gary Leech said this is a way to say thank you to the frontline workers who have helped lead the country out of the pandemic.

“When you think of the bravery and selflessness of these people, it’s just inspiring,” said Leech. “There are so many other groups who did so much, but we thought it was important to start with the people who kept us safe during all of this craziness.”

The park’s 2020 opening was delayed because of the pandemic, but it reopened in mid-June with a new layout and social distancing measures.

Many of the same measures will remain in place in 2021 to ensure guests feel comfortable, according to Leech. One change is that, based on guidance from the CDC and state of Maine, guests will be allowed to enjoy the park without wearing masks if they choose.

Leech said Congdon’s After Dark staff will continue to wear masks initially. Guests will also have to continue to use masks when indoors, including the beer garden and bathroom facilities.

“Between the park and restaurant property, we’ve got several acres where people can spread out so everyone will be able to stay safe and feel comfortable,” said Leech. “Many people are only comfortable with outdoor dining, so we’re excited to be able to provide it again.”

More than 25 food trucks are scheduled to join the park for the 2021 season. Many will be familiar to returning guests, while there are several new trucks too, including Portland-based BOG’s Bakery, serving unique gourmet toast, and Roll Call, featuring roast beef aujus sandwiches.

Other trucks will include seafood, burgers, French fries, Brazilian, Italian, empanadas, crepes, barbecue, pizza, wraps/salads, Jamaican, Mexican, Vietnamese, Cajun/creole, and more. Leech said trucks rotate on an ongoing basis so the lineup is different every night.

The park’s Beer Garden will continue to feature its “Maine Menu” with more than 30 beers from Maine breweries. Two Maine breweries make beers with Congdon’s doughnut in them. Barreled Souls Brewing Company in Saco makes three stouts with Congdon’s apple, blueberry, and maple bacon fritters. Mast Landing Brewing Company in Westbrook will be making Honey Dip Blonde this year – a blonde ale made with Congdon’s famous honey dip doughnuts.

“We’re so happy to be partnering with these incredible breweries,” said Leech. “They are two of the best Maine has to offer – and we all know Maine is the beer capital of the country.”

Several popular park events will return this season as well, including weekly car shows and fundraisers. Tithing Tuesdays will take place each week from June to August, with a new nonprofit receiving 10% of revenue from the food trucks each week. The weekly Classic Car Cruise-ins will be back again, featuring 20-30 classic cars each Monday starting June 21.

A new feature this year is the “Late Truck,” with at least one truck staying open an hour later than the others.

Park hours fluctuate throughout the season. The park opens at 4 pm most days and will close anywhere from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. depending on the turnout.

Guests are encouraged to go to the park’s website or social media pages for schedule details and to see the daily truck lineup.

The park will be open Thursday through Sunday from May 27 to June 17, when daily service will begin. The park will switch back to weekends only on Labor Day and end the season October 10.

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For more information, email [email protected]