Mount Clemens

New public event to aid Anton Art Center

By Julie Snyder
C & G Staff Writer

MOUNT CLEMENS — The latest trend in going out for lunch — or dinner — is coming to downtown Mount Clemens. 

The Trucks Are Coming is a one-day-only event that has been traveling the metro Detroit area over the past several months, and on Oct. 3, it’s stopping here to aid the Anton Art Center.

One of the organizers, Joe Sciamanna, owner of Dago Joe’s Gourmet Italian Food, which is one of six featured food trucks in the tour, said the goal of the event is simple.

“The Anton Art Center brings so much to the community,” said Sciamanna. “They provide incredible exhibits and educational programs, and this block party is designed to help continue these programs and others. The Art Center’s goal is to bring enrichment to Macomb County residents and visitors. And hey, ya gotta eat.”

A part of all proceeds made by  the six trucks between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. will go directly to the art center.

The Anton Art Center, located on Macomb Place, is funded primarily through private donations, membership dues and tuition fees.

The center’s objectives are to educate the public through classes and exhibits, and provide a venue for artists to display and sell their work.

Matt Dreger is president of the Anton Art Center’s Board of Directors.

Dreger said he’s eager for the food trucks to arrive in Mount Clemens, not only because of the help it will give the center, but because he knows how great the food is.

“We went to one of their events in Royal Oak recently, and the food is exceptional,” said the Mount Clemens City Commissioner. “And the event itself, there’s a lot of excitement in the air.”

Dreger said the proceeds that will be donated to the center will go into its general operating fund to continue paying off the $1.6 million expansion that was completed to the 43-year-old building in 2007.

“So this is a big deal for them, and it’s a big deal for us,” said Dreger.

Sciamanna said he evening will feature six food trucks, rock bands from School of Rock, a full bar, 93.1 Doug FM, numerous raffles  and a meatball eating contest. Dago Joe’s is sponsoring the meatball eating contest, which begins at 7 p.m. He said Mount Clemens is the first leg of the Motor City Meatball Madness Tour as he looks for the 2013 Southeastern Michigan Meatball Eating Champion.

The food trucks at the event will include Dago Joe’s, Jacques Tacos, Concrete Cuisine, Treat Dreams, Franks Anatra and People’s Pierogi Collective.

Macomb Place will be blocked off for the event from southbound Gratiot to Pine Street.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Julie Snyder at jsnyder@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1039.