For Tap Truck WVA, some events are about big celebrations, while others are about becoming part of a community. This September, our 1950 Ford panel truck, Dipper, headed to the Whitehall Farmers & Artisans Market in Whitehall, West Virginia, for a market filled with fall flavors, local makers, and plenty of familiar faces.
Dipper made the trip from San Diego to his new home in Fairmont, West Virginia, this spring, and the Whitehall Farmers & Artisans Market quickly became an important part of his first season on the road.
A Fall Menu on Tap:
The Whitehall Farmers & Artisans Market gives Tap Truck WVA the opportunity to get creative with handcrafted non-alcoholic drinks, and September was the perfect excuse to lean into all things fall.
For this market, the menu featured:
- Toasted Pumpkin Cold Brew with Toasted Marshmallow Bourbon Cold Foam
- Great Pumpkin Pop
- Bad Apple
- Autumn Glow
- Cherry Bomb
One of the stars of the menu was the Toasted Pumpkin Cold Brew, topped with homemade Toasted Marshmallow Bourbon Cold Foam. Creating their own recipes, syrups, toppings, and garnishes has become one of Bethany and Kent's favorite parts of operating Tap Truck WVA.
And the best part? They get to see which creative combinations become customer favorites.
A Small Market With a Big Meaning:
The Whitehall Farmers & Artisans Market is a small, every-other-week community market featuring local farmers, makers, and small businesses. It may be one of the smallest markets on Tap Truck WVA's calendar, but it holds a special place in their first season with Dipper.
As the only food or beverage vendor at the market, Tap Truck WVA has also been able to introduce the community to everything a Tap Truck can offer beyond traditional beer service. From handcrafted mocktails and cold brew to specialty seasonal drinks, Dipper has brought something a little different to the market each time.
Because the market takes place every other week, Bethany and Kent have had the chance to see familiar faces return, watch customers discover their favorite drinks, and build relationships throughout the season. "It's been really special getting to know the Whitehall community throughout the season," they shared.
When the Weather Has Other Plans:
Of course, outdoor events always come with one unpredictable factor: the weather.
West Virginia weather has been one of the biggest challenges of the season, with turnout at Whitehall sometimes depending entirely on what Saturday morning brings. For a new business, navigating those unpredictable crowds has been a learning experience when it comes to planning, preparation, and deciding how much product to bring.
But even on slower mornings, the market has remained meaningful.
There's something special about a smaller community event where you have the opportunity to recognize the people you're serving and become a familiar part of their weekend routine.
Bringing Fall to Whitehall:
September brought the perfect opportunity to transform Dipper for the season. The truck and bar were decorated with pumpkins, mums, sunflowers, and fall leaves, creating a full fall setup, even when the West Virginia temperatures weren't quite ready to match the seasonal mood.
Tap Truck WVA also used the market to launch its Kick Off to Fall Giveaway, partnering with other local vendors and small businesses to create a fall-themed giveaway basket.
Customers could earn an entry with every drink purchased at the market, while additional social media entries encouraged people to follow, like, and share Tap Truck WVA's pages.
The promotion was a great way to support fellow local businesses while introducing Dipper and Tap Truck WVA to even more people. During the giveaway, Tap Truck WVA's Instagram views increased by 175%, along with new followers and increased engagement.
One More Market to Remember:
The September market wasn't the end of the story. As Tap Truck WVA gets ready for the final Whitehall market of the season, they're bringing the full fall experience one more time as a thank-you to the community that supported Dipper during his first season.
Along with their fall drink lineup, they'll be serving warm Chai-Spiced Apple Cider with a homemade Apple Cider Donut.
While Whitehall may be one of the smallest events on their calendar, it has become one of the most memorable. It was where the community first got to know Dipper, and where Tap Truck WVA began building relationships that made their first season so special.
Meet Tap Truck WVA:
Owned and operated by Bethany Longwell and Kent Aycoth, Tap Truck WVA is based in Fairmont, West Virginia, and serves North Central West Virginia with Dipper, their 1950 Ford panel truck.
With five taps, Dipper can serve a wide variety of beverages depending on the event, including beer, wine, cocktails, handcrafted mocktails, cold brew, and specialty non-alcoholic drinks.
While weddings and private events are a big part of what Tap Truck WVA does, community events like the Whitehall Farmers & Artisans Market have given Bethany and Kent the opportunity to experiment with new ideas, create unique drink menus, and become part of the communities they serve.
From its first farmers market to its fall finale, Dipper's first season in West Virginia has been one to remember, and Whitehall has been a big part of the journey.