Summer Daze at the Parc is back for a new year with food trucks and themed nights.

Organized by Community Choice Credit Union, the food truck series located at the Parc, 202 E. Lincoln Way, kicked off on May 28, welcoming back families for food and fun with a “color pop” theme.​

The color-related activities included tote bag decorating and spin art. This second event in the Summer Daze series this Thursday will feature five food trucks, the Ames Public Library’s Bookmobile and a Ghostbusters vehicle.

Starting as a single day event in 2024, Summer Daze grew into a multi-day series in 2025. Sawyer Meinders, lead event experience specialist for Community Choice, saw a chance to fill the underused area.

“In its early years, it didn’t get utilized much. … It got this reputation of being a food truck park that never has food trucks. We’re in a big building phase, trying to utilize it as much as possible and work with as many food trucks as we can,” Meinders said.​

Planning for this year’s event began back in September with vendor and activity scheduling soon following. This year’s newest addition are themed nights, varying from Color Pop, Touch-a-Truck, Sports and finishing with Carnival. All of this work is accomplished not for promotion but for the people of Ames.

“It’s not a product-pushing thing,” Meinders said. “You don’t come into the Parc and go ‘Oh great, they offered me a credit card.’ … It’s for the people.”

“Seeing the enjoyment and smiles and just seeing them take part in it, it’s very fulfilling.” said Chief Marketing Officer Angie Richards.

Community Choice Credit Union built the food truck Parc after acquiring a lot from its merger with ACE Credit Union. The space was transformed into a way to connect with Ames residents.

Since the Parc’s grand opening in November 2021, Community Choice has used the established area to work with local vendors and the Ames community.

“It’s a great way to support the community, it’s a great way to support local businesses. I mean, that’s one of the premises behind it. All those food trucks are local businesses supporting local businesses,” Richards said.

Summer Daze at the Parc, 202 E. Lincoln Way

6 to 8 p.m.
The event is open to the public with no entry fee.

June 11: Touch-a-Truck Night
June 25: Sports Night
July 9: Carnival Night