Making a big break: Music acts aren't the only ones aiming to impress at Bonnaroo

Photo by Adam Brimer // Buy this photo

Petro's Food Truck franchisee Misty Wong, right, serves Jeremy Hine from Gainesville, Fla., at the 10th Annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn., Friday, June 10, 2011.

Photo by Adam Brimer

Henry Wong

Photo by Adam Brimer

Edwin Wong

MANCHESTER, Tenn. -When it's 94 degrees outside, fish 'n' chips smells iffy at best.

Among the additions to keep the 10th annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival fresh and new this year is the addition of the "Food Truck Oasis."

Beyond the standard fare of everything fried, the collection of a half-dozen trucks and trailers includes the Taco Bus and the Good You mobile organic eatery, offering a burger "made of real unicorns and Smurf dust." (It didn't look like real unicorn meat.)

Ray LaMontagne at Bonnaroo 2011

And just like so many bands hoping to make their big break with a Bonnaroo appearance, the Wong family of Knoxville also arrived this week with Petro's Chili and Chips' first food truck franchise.

"It's really kicked us into gear, understanding the operations," said Edwin Wong, who launched the business three weeks ago with his wife, Misty, and brother, Henry. "The concept is pretty simple - the main thing is getting out, booking your events."

The Wongs said they hope to have two or three trucks within a year, mostly serving the Knoxville lunch crowd. Well into their second day of Bonnaroo business, though, Edwin Wong said they're getting more and more interested in "extended-stay stops," like NASCAR races and music festivals.

The Wongs and their small staff kept the truck's counter staffed for some 14 hours, until 1:30 a.m., the first day.

"As long as there's people here and we've got food, we're open," said Henry Wong while on the job Friday.

Then again, Edwin Wong said he heard there's good money in water slides, too.

He pointed over his shoulder to a towering, inflatable water slide nearby with a steady stream of festivalgoers happy to pay for a chance to cool off - $5 to make as many runs as one would want for the day.

"Next year," said Edwin Wong, "we'll be in the water slide business."

The weather continued to test Bonnaroo attendees Friday, with nearly cloudless skies, increasingly dusty conditions and an expected high of 94 degrees.

A 32-year-old woman from Pittsburgh was found dead at her campsite about 11 p.m. Thursday, according to The Associated Press.

Her name was not released, pending notification of family, and an autopsy was expected to be performed to determine the cause of death.

Bonnaroo blue "safety" shirt staff were visible and vocal throughout the festival campgrounds on the 700-acre site Friday, offering the masses friendly advice, and especially reminders to drink more water.

Hayes Hickman may be reached at 865-342-6323.

© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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