MANSFIELD — Sadie Stewart remembers when her food truck was one of the few in Richland County serving Inkmates a few years ago.

Mad Meltz owner Stewart said 2024 will be her team’s fourth year at Inkcarceration. Richland County’s Athena Gyro Express and Grunt Grub also attended this year’s festival.

Food trucks from Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati complete the offering.

“I loved it when more local people came that we already knew,” Stewart said. “We became friends with the other truck owners and see them once a year.

“Our entire team is having a great time.”

Stewart said Inkcarceration is one of Mad Meltz’s busiest weekends of the year, with the team on location for about 14 hours a day.

“It’s so insanely busy compared to everything else we do,” she said. “We have to buy everything in advance, and there’s a lot of mental organization and everything.”

Stewart said she’s noticed most orders come in to the truck in the afternoon and early evening. Grilled cheese pizza is her weekend best-seller.

“Our first year we had a super small truck, and the second year we moved to this trailer,” she said, “which was much better.”

Stewart has a team of about six people helping out during the festival weekend. She said some have set their alarms before their favorite bands play.

Ben Stewart, Sadie’s husband, said he was looking forward to hearing Hollywood Undead, one of Saturday night’s headliners.

“That’s what I listened to in high school,” he said. “I can’t wait to see them.”

Inkcarceration triples Grunt Grub’s customers compared to other events

Mansfield-based Grunt Grub set up shop at Inkcarceration for a second year in 2024.

“The first year it was pretty comfortable, so we just fell into it,” said co-owner Jennifer Baker.

“My favorite part is talking to people. I love asking them where they are from because we get answers from all over.”

Baker said Grunt Grub serves about 750 people a day during Inkcarceration Weekend. She estimated other events would bring in 200 to 300 customers.

Baker said the truck’s basic burger and stuffed fries are the most popular.

“I haven’t really had a chance to listen to any bands yet, but it’s been fun,” she said. “I think it’s cool that this is in our backyard. It’s cool that Mansfield is the attraction and the destination.”