Vendor spotlight: Triple J and Heron’s Concessions
For over 25 years, John and Sharon Heron, Triple J Concessions, have provided their delicious deep-fried foods and ice-cold lemonade during McGregor’s Wild Rice Days festivities.
By Shari Horton
MCGREGOR, Minn.—
For over 25 years, John and Sharon Heron, Triple J Concessions, have provided their delicious deep-fried foods and ice-cold lemonade during McGregor’s Wild Rice Days festivities. Their specialties include fresh-cut French fries, cheese curds, corn dogs and fresh-squeezed regular and strawberry lemonade. John, who frequently refers to himself as “John the Fry Guy,” and Sharon have been in business for approximately 48 years.
While the mobile food vendors are based out of Woodbury, MN, where the couple resides, they have deep-rooted connections to the McGregor area. John’s grandparents spent their honeymoon on Little Round Lake in McGregor, and his family spent many years at various resorts in the area.
John and Sharon later bought their own land on Big Round Lake about 30 years ago, where they stayed in RVs. In 2020, they built a cabin on their land. “We are the odd ones out – being everyone else comes to vacation in the summer and we come to our cabin in the spring and fall during our concessions off-season,” notes John.
Referring to their many years of providing delicious concessions at Wild Rice Days, John describes it as “part of their family vacation.” “I was gone all summer, and when the kids were little, we would go to the lake and go to Wild Rice Days. That was a way to work and spend time with the family.”
The McGregor community feels more like home than Woodbury,” continues John. “The people are unique, nice and always out having fun.” The Herons have made many wonderful friends in the area and have given back to the McGregor community by donating to the McGregor Fire Department. The couple plans to become more involved with Wild Rice Days in the coming years, assisting as volunteers for the event. Following Sharon’s recent retirement from the University of Minnesota, where she gained experience organizing career fairs, she’d like to graciously offer her expertise to McGregor’s annual event.
Heron’s Concessions – carrying on the tradition
This year, the couple’s son, Jim, who has followed in his parents’ footsteps, will also have his concession stand at Wild Rice Days. Jim started his business, Heron’s Concessions, about 5 years ago. He and his wife Lindsay are currently based out of Texas but travel on the road for 11 months out of the year with their 13-month-old child.
Heron’s Concessions features funnel cakes, corn dogs and fresh-squeezed regular and strawberry lemonade. Jim has worked with his family’s Triple J Concessions for 15 years. This will be his first year with his own concession stand at Wild Rice Days.