In about 24 hours, the stage will be raised at Main and Center Streets for the 2022 ABB Summer Kickoff and Food Truck Festival.
And by 5 p.m. Saturday, the Main Street Corridor will be lined with food trucks, family activities, kids' inflatables, live music, a giant sandbox, and more.

"This year's Summer Kickoff is going to be fantastic - and the weather looks ideal!" said Jaclyn Rominger, Associated Businesses of Bridgeport president. "The ABB keeps raising the bar every year. It will be a wonderful family-friendly evening, complete with bouncy houses, face painting, balloon animals, multiple musical artists, food trucks, beach balls, and a car show - just to name a few of the highlights. We are looking forward to a great night in downtown Bridgeport!"

Among new features to this year's Summer Kickoff is the "Big Dog" Hot Dog Eating Contest, sponsored by Dave's Famous T&L Hotdogs. Community members are invited to display their competitive spirit by signing up to participate.

"If you're up to the challenge, sign up sheets will be at Dave's Famous T&L Hot Dog tent starting at 5 p.m. Saturday (June 4)," said Troy Rutherford.

 

The T&L tent will be set up near the China One parking lot. 

 

The contest, Rutherford said, was started by his grandfather and father-in-law back in 2005 at Bridgeport's Benedum Festival. 

 

"Contestants from all over the state would compete for the 'Big Dog' title," he said. "Our most recent (contest) was in Shinnston in 2017. Our entire family is grateful to the ABB and the City of Bridgeport for allowing us to be a small part of this awesome event."

 

The hot dog eating contest will take place around 6 p.m. on the main stage at Center and Main. The winner receives a free hot dog daily for one year and the title of "Big Dog."

Up to 10 contestants can participate in the challenge. They will compete against each other in a timed event. The object is to eat as many Dave's Famous T&L Hot Dogs (meat and buns) with condiments desired, within the allotted time of 10 minutes.

On East Main Street - east of the Lloyd Lang Bridge - about a dozen food trucks/vendors will be set up, as well as business tents and activities. On West Main Street, dozens of car classics will be lined up for display. On the lawn of the Benedum Civic Center, inflatables will be set up and on the porch of the building, 8-year-old DJ Benton Hoskinson aka "BHos" will be set up, sharing fun summertime tunes and other popular music.

As always, the Main Stage will feature the music of Eighties Enough. Also performing along the street will be locals, Greg Harrison and Benjamin DeFazio.

There will also be live music inside Music on Main with no cover charge for the evening.

"We will have Dylan Hinzman (and some of the '6 String Outlaws') from Bridgeport High School performing in the building from 6-7 p.m.," said Sommer Brown, co-owner of Music on Main. "After that, Nathan Shaffer will perform until 10 or 11 p.m."

Brown said Music on Main instructors will be available from 4-6 p.m. to answer any questions about music lessons and to demonstrate techniques on instruments.

As always, the giant sandbox will be located between About You Monograms and Expressions Day Spa.

 

On-the-street trivia will be ongoing throughout the evening. Courtesy of Healthy Harrison, Fitbits will be awarded to trivia winners. 

The fun will be on tap from 5-8 p.m. Saturday. Main Street will be closed to motorists from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. between Virginia Avenue and Philadelphia Avenue. Traffic will be detoured across Philadelphia Avenue between Virginia and Philadelphia.