Lutz First Friday – a food truck rally sponsored by the Lutz Citizens Coalition — was supposed to make its debut on Oct. 4 at Lutz Preparatory School. However, it’s been indefinitely postponed.
In an email sent out to Lutz Citizens Coalition members, group president Mike White said the group thought they had reached an agreement with the school and began putting the word out about the rally. Those plans were dropped, however, after the coalition had a second meeting at the school and officials there appeared to be backing out, White said.
Yet Diane Farmer, principal at Lutz Preparatory, said the school still wants to work with the coalition on hosting food truck rallies there.
“We’re still in negotiations,” Farmer said. “We’re still trying to work out the details for it. We want to do it.”
She said there was a problem with logistics, and the school could not meet the coalition’s desired schedule.
While the monthly truck rally has been put on hold, people who enjoy a flea market, or who want to do their part to help maintain a historic building, will have their chance to do both on Oct. 5 at the Old Lutz School Building Flea Market. It runs from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The event raises money for the upkeep of the Old Lutz School, a historic building that local residents fought to preserve when the state was widening U.S. 41. The school itself is at 18819 N. U.S. 41, which is at the corner of Fourth Avenue SE and U.S. 41.
Less than a month later, on Nov. 2, the community is having another in a series of events scheduled this year to celebrate the Lutz Centennial.
At the Lutz Centennial Cars & Chili event, chili aficionados and classic car buffs will be able to compete for bragging rights. Car buffs and motorcycle enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in the show, which will feature classic cars, exotic cars and motorcycles.
The chili cook-off will have two categories: Families and individuals will compete in one, and clubs and organizations will square off in the other.
The deadline for registration to compete in the cook-off is 5 p.m. on Oct. 25, and there is a $25 team entry fee.
Chili cook-off teams can consist of one chef and two assistants. The chili must be cooked on-site. Since there’s no electricity, teams must provide their own LP-gas cooking appliance. They must also supply their own ingredients and cooking utensils.
Patrons will be able to purchase official centennial chili cups for $5 each, which they can carry around from team to team to sample different kinds of chili. The tastings will begin at noon and will end when the chili runs out, or at 2 p.m.
The celebration will be on the grounds between the old train depot and the Lutz Community Center, between U.S. 41 and the Lutz Branch Library.
To find out more about the chili cook-off, email . To learn more about the car show, email .
