HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Downtown Huntsville will play host in 2014 to what organizers are calling "the largest congregation of street food vendors anywhere in Alabama."

The Rocket City's first-ever "Street Food Season" will kick off in April and run through late October featuring 11 mobile vendors selling tacos, cupcakes, barbecue and other on-the-go cuisine.

Downtown Huntsville Inc. CEO Chad Emerson said public street food gatherings will be held on the third Friday of every month from 6-9 p.m. They will take place at various private parking lots in the Meridian and Quigley downtown arts and entertainment districts.

The first street food event of 2014 is scheduled for Friday, April 18, near the corner of Meridian Street and Cleveland Avenue.

"The street food vendors are really fired up about this," Emerson told AL.com Tuesday. "We think it's going to reach a new set of people who may not have typically come downtown."

The following mobile food vendors are expected to participate: Badd Newz BBQ; Crave Heat; Dallas Mill Deli; Earth & Stone Wood Fired Pizza; Food Fighters Bustaurant; Meaux's Sno Balls; On-On Tacos; Peppered Pig; Piper & Leaf Teas; Rocket Dogs; and Sugar Belle Cupcakes.

Emerson said all the events will feature free admission, live music and food challenges. June will be the Battle of the Food Trucks, with the truck that sells the most winning money for its favorite charity. In July, food vendors will compete to create the best beach-themed dishes. The Back to School Fusion Challenge in August will offer modern takes on classic school cafeteria food.

"Our goal," said Emerson, "is for downtown Huntsville to eventually host the largest street food season of any city in the Southeast."

In late December, the Huntsville City Council amended the zoning ordinance to allow food trucks in most commercial areas across the city including downtown, John Hunt Park and Jetplex Industrial Park near the airport.

Food trucks can open at 6 a.m. and serve until 2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday. They have to close by 10 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Also, the city is requiring them to park at least 100 feet from the nearest sit-down restaurant.