It’s time for celebration in Alvord, and the festivities are coming in two parts.

The city is hosting the grand opening of the new Gateway Food Truck Park and Alvord Public Library 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday at 106 N O’Neil and 109 N Wickham streets, near the post office under the water tower. Wise County Chamber of Commerce will do the joint ribbon cutting for the city’s two new additions, followed by amenities like bounce houses, obstacle courses, balloon artists and music provided by local radio station 95.9 The Ranch.

And of course, there will be plenty of food trucks to appropriately christen the new hub for all things food trucks in Wise County.

NEW EATS

The idea to start a food truck park had been discussed over the past couple years, and after some turnover in city leadership last spring, the conversation was sparked again. In September, the city council OK’d the food truck park and Alvord Economic Development Corporation (EDC) pumped in just over $47,000 to get the project in gear.

“It was definitely a group effort. It was talked about several times, and when the EDC came forward and said they wanted to do something, I presented the idea to them and they absolutely jumped on it,” Alvord City Administrator Troy Gregg said. “Right now we have availability for three trucks with electricity to be hooked up to them and two spots without. And after some research I did, we were able to come up with the truck bed benches.”

Gregg said he hopes this is just the start for the park. Down the road, he envisions a permanent performance stage across the railroad tracks, turf, full shade coverings, permanent restrooms and water for the food trucks.

Willett Barbeque, a Wise County food truck staple based in Alvord, worked closely with city staff to get the food truck started. Gregg added that Willett helped educate on health, food safety and the logistics of operating a food truck.

“This will give some food trucks the opportunity to set up some business here, and hopefully allow us to have a good rotation and some more food options,” Gregg said. “It also give families the chance after a baseball night, volleyball night, basketball night, whatever it may be, to have somewhere to eat. Hopefully everybody will want to drive through and get to see a little bit of Alvord and realize it’s a great place to be.”

BOOKS AND BEYOND

Gateway Food Truck Park isn’t the only new establishment breathing new life into Alvord.

The Alvord Public Library’s new home, located at 109 N Wickham St., is set for its grand opening Saturday along with the park. Since its inception, the library has bounced around different locations for a few years, but the city’s purchase of the former Warren Insurance building will be a new civic location for years to come.

After the city gutted the building and completely transformed the interior, library staff and volunteers began the move to the new location three weeks ago.

Librarian Pam AlHusaini said that while the move won’t be fully complete by Saturday’s grand opening, the library is still welcoming all visitors.

AlHusaini was formerly a librarian in Decatur ISD. She retired in 2011, but after three months out of the game, she was ready to get back in the saddle. 

“This job, it is the best I have ever had. Everybody who comes in truly wants to be here,” she said. “No matter the building, no matter where we moved, I have loved every minute in Alvord.”

Hours of operation are 2-6 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.

The library hosts story time each week and plans to continue its summer reading program when school is out. As the books find their shelves, AlHusaini said the library is open to try any sort of program the public would like to see.

“I can not begin to tell you how excited we are. You have no idea,” AlHusaini said. “And while we aren’t exactly finished moving in, I will not be turning away anyone. The people are waiting to come in, and we’re waiting for them, too.”