Sprinker Recreation Center is a Tacoma area staple. Opened in 1976, it has been the go-to birthday party venue, as well as the ideal training destination for Olympic gold medalist hopefuls. The center features basketball and tennis courts (indoor and outdoor), an ice rink, softball and baseball fields, a climbing wall and the largest skateboarding area in the South Sound. Long story short, it is really hard to not be entertained at an establishment like this. "If there is anything a parent could want to wear their kid out in a day, they bring them to Sprinker and they can make that happen," said Kyle Wintermute, Pierce County's Parks and Recreation general manager, who helped Sprinker celebrate its 40th birthday last year.

This weekend is Sprinker's 3rd annual Mobile Food Fest sponsored by Pierce County Parks and Recreation. Twenty-seven food trucks will be showcased including Jonz Catering's very own Thirst Responder, playing the role of the beer garden. If you have never seen the Thirst Responder, it is Tacoma's Mobile Beverage Unit featuring multiple beers on tap and a complete wine bar. Other than this eye-catching beer garden, there will be 26 other food vendors at the event from all over the South Sound. From Pierce County, we have Budha Bear Bagles out of Puyallup. Other than having a name that makes you smile when you say it, Budha Bear is serving up some delicious bagles and burgers. From King County, we have Beanfish out of Seattle. The name is almost as unusual as the menu. Beanfish is a Japanese waffle truck with all waffles shaped like fish.

Sprinker is also providing live bands in the middle of all the action. North of 50 Band is opening the show from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Cannibal Hamster from 2-3:30 p.m., and Slim Wizzy is closing the show from 4-6 p.m. So park a chair in the field and watch some local music. As always, please drink responsibly. Cheers!

Mobile Food Fest, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 26, Sprinker Recreation Center, 14834 C St. S., Tacoma, 253.798.4000