By Rod Lee

The 1880s-era clock that the Millbury Redevelopment Authority purchased for placement in the center of town is still ticking like the quality timepiece it has been from the start—and the MRA’s fifth annual Food Truck Festival & Craft Fair is back as well after a three-year hiatus.

 Left, The Millbury Redevelopment Authority purchased this handsome 1800s-era clock (left) and donated it to the town for placement in the heart of downtown.

Talking in his shop on Juniper Drive on April 5th, Leonard Mort, who describes himself as “an old-school sign maker,” said the event is scheduled for Sunday, May 22nd. It will be held rain or shine from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the rear parking area at Millbury High School on Martin St.

A fundraiser for the Authority, the Food Truck Festival promises “something for everyone,” including street food, entertainment, crafters, vendors and raffles.

Admission is five dollars. Children under twelve get in free. Attendees will get a chance to vote “The People Choice’s” for “best food truck” and they will have plenty to choose from.

The Food Truck Festival was last held in 2018. It has proven to be a popular attraction, Mr. Mort said. The Authority is thrilled to be able to stage it once again.

 Len Mort, who chairs the Millbury Redevelopment Authority, created the trophy that will go to this year’s winner of the fifth annual Food Truck Festival & Craft Fair on May 22nd.

“It’s grown considerably since the first one,” he said. “The first year, we had five food trucks. Now they’re clamoring to come. We ask ourselves, ‘how many different food trucks can you have?’ We never had that problem before. The comments on Facebook have been outstanding.”

The weekend before Memorial Day was selected as a perfect late-spring date for the event, so as not to conflict with other seasonal happenings. 

Food-truck operators who are participating in this year’s Food Truck Festival will be offering a smorgasbord of fare including Mexican, Japanese dumplings, barbecue, hot dogs, shaved ice, Italian, sweets, Korean and cannoli—to name a few.

Established in 1963, the Millbury Redevelopment Authority is an elected board of five unpaid municipal employees. “We have eminent domain status,” Mr. Mort said. “We accept donations of property which can be rehabbed and rented or sold. We can keep the funds and use them for other projects. The members of the Authority have donated thousands of hours to the community.”

An election to fill two vacancies on the board was scheduled tol be held April 26th. Terms on the Millbury Redevelopment Authority run for five years.

About ten years ago, in search of “a project,” the MRA decided to raise money through donations provided by businesses and residents for a clock that would occupy a prime spot in Millbury Center. Acquisition of the clock from a company in Medfield was an expensive proposition but it has been an impressive addition to the downtown landscape. The clock bears the words “Armory Village” on its face in tribute to the part of town in which it is situated. An interpretive display was incorporated into the spot at the intersection of Elm, Main and So. Main streets, recently.

“Myself and two other sign painters gold-leafed it,” Mr. Mort said, of the clock. The gold leaf that came with it was “dull,” he explained.

“Gold leaf gilding has gotten to be a lost art.”

The Authority is already looking for another project to take on. The Food Truck Festival will help cover some of the costs that remain from buying the clock, and point the way forward for a new undertaking.

    

Contact Rod Lee at [email protected] or 774-232-2999.