Summer Fun & Food Trucks series kicks off June 12 at Whalon Lake

The first of three summer Fun & Food Trucks programs gets rolling on Friday, June 12, at Whalon Lake in Naperville.

Tasty morsels and fun activities are scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Food trucks scheduled to attend are Grumpy Gaucho, Lil Deb’s and Nick's Pizza Truck. Adult beverages will be available from The Dock on Front Street. Entertainment will be provided by The Jukebox Heroes.

The free, all-ages program will also include a bounce house and lawn games with beautiful views of the preserve. Vendors will have giveaways and Hidden Oaks Nature Center staff and partners at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will provide fun activities.

The 2026 Fun & Food Trucks series is sponsored by Old National Bank. Thanks to its sponsorship, the first 150 people to visit its station at the event will receive free Ben & Jerry's ice cream cups.

Two more Fun & Food Trucks have been scheduled for:

• July 17: This program will be included in the Surf-n-Turf Concert at Monee Reservoir in Monee Township.
• August 7: Forked Creek Preserve – Forsythe Woods near Wilmington.

Each event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. and feature live music, a bounce house, favorite lawn games, and a lineup of vendors such as the Field Museum and the Will County Farm Bureau.

Forest Preserve food truck programs are still super popular although the format has changed over the years, said Jenna Wright, the Forest Preserve’s supervisor of permitting and recreation.

“What started as a series to showcase local food truck vendors and allow patrons to come enjoy good food in our preserves has evolved into full-scale events with live music, entertainment and, of course, great food,” she said. “Individuals and families are invited to come enjoy our preserves with the community and engage in the many activities during the event.”

And, for the second year, a program is scheduled for Forsythe Woods.

“We had a goal in 2025 to bring an event for all to the southernmost part of the county,” Wright said. “Locals showed up and enjoyed the preserve, music, food and entertainment. We are hosting again at Forsythe Woods in hopes of an even bigger turnout this year."

New this year is a Fun & Food Trucks program included in the annual Surf-n-Turf program at Monee Reservoir.

“Surf-n-Turf will roll with the same theme as the Fun & Food Trucks events with the added allure of visitors having the opportunity to get out on the water in Monee Reservoir's watercraft rentals,” Wright said.