By Maria King, President Event Crazy.com and grandmother extraordinaire
Well I know what you are thinking…Fall, Tasty Treats, Halloween of course. Well no not exactly. I was concerned naming the blog with “food” in the title for obvious reasons, lol. But the temptation was just too great this week, I couldn’t resist. Not the food, the food events. (well maybe it was the food, but again I am trying to stay on focus.)
Most important to this blog, my love of all things food aside, is the long standing way to celebrate ethnicity, regional delicacies, seasonal bounties and many other things. Food events appear in large numbers on the schedule year round because they are about much more then food. It’s about opportunities for locales to serve up local and regional fare. Pride in local and seasonal bounties, the historical ethnicity of an area form the basis of events that the area features. For example, when the history of an area includes Italian immigrants, then you are likely to see many Italian oriented events. And there are very few Italian events that do not start and end with food. A good example of a regional food is BBQ because it is such a source of regional pride. You cannot travel in this country and partake of BBQ and not get a sense that it is purely a regional experience. It’s all called BBQ but it is extremely different wherever you taste it. That pride translates to 1000’s of events to prove who is better at it.(word to the novice BBQ attendee, never mention they don’t make it that way back home. Consider yourself warned.)
The deliciousness (a word I use quite often) this week is overwhelming. We have the Taste of St. Louis as one choice. This event features just about every kind of food you can imagine. It’s kind of a “total package” food event. The other events featured this week are themed food events. It is so diverse that you could actually make a meal here. Let’s digest, I mean dissect. There is a Chicken Fest, Ham Days and Seafood Fest any of which will hold it’s own in the entrée category. Also there is an Okra Strut and a Garlic Fest which can serve as side dishes and garnish. There is a Buckwheat Fest which satisfies the ingredients for rolls and bread with dinner. And a plethora of fruit related events that would make a great selection of fruit desserts and those are an Apple Fest, Cranberry Fest, Pumpkin Fest and a Grape Jamboree. I know you won’t believe this but I am hungry already!
I hope that you and your family, friends, grand kids, neighbors or anyone really, can enjoy the start of the wonderful fall events. They run the gamut of theme and activities. In the coming weeks we hope to highlight as many as possible to give you a wealth of opportunities when planning your weekend. Please be sure to use the search box above to find some great events in your area. And if you do choose a food event, be sure to go hungry. I always do just that. (Ok, I heard that!)
Sep 26, 2013 – Sep 29, 2013
Downtown London, KY40741
Since 1990, the home of Colonel Sanders first KFC Restaurant celebrates with “egg-citing” contests, theme parade, themed contest, kid’s activities, antique car show, crafts, 4 stages of entertainment, volleyball tournament, rides and much more.
200,000+ Attendees
Barnesville Pumpkin Festival
Sep 26, 2013 – Sep 29, 2013
Downtown Barnesville Barnesville, OH43713
Since 1965, this family oriented festival features a giant pumpkin parade and King Pumpkin pumpkin weigh-in. Other Festival activities include carnival rides, a queen pageant , a classic and antique car show, entertainment on two stages, talent show, hog calling, tobacco-spitting ,fudge, pie baking ,pie eating, tall tale, pumpkin rolling contests, pet show and much more.
100,000 Attendees
Pensacola Seafood Festival and 5K Run/Walk
Sep 27, 2013 – Sep 29, 2013
Seville Square Pensacola, FL32501
Since 1977, sample a variety of mouthwatering seafood dishes from over 20 food vendors and enjoy continuous entertainment, Corvette Club car show, over 185 arts and crafts vendors, large children’s area, fall fiesta antique show and sale with over 35 dealers and 5k walk/run on Saturday.
100,000 Attendees
Warrens Cranberry Festival
Sep 27, 2013 – Sep 29, 2013
Downtown Warrens, WI54666
Since 1973, over 650 arts and craft booth and over 350 antique dealers and much more. Cranfest has something special for everyone. Delicious food, incredible shopping, and rare educational opportunities are all waiting for you. Cranfest shuttle available in Tomah.
100,000 Attendees
Four Flags Area Apple Festival
Sep 26, 2013 – Sep 29, 2013
Festival Grounds Niles, MI49120
Since 1973, 200 arts and crafts exhibitors, entertainment, parade, carnival, food, kid’s games plus much more.
75,000+ Attendees
Preston County Buckwheat Festival
Sep 26, 2013 – Sep 29, 2013
Festival Grounds Kingwood, WV26537
Since 1942, features buckwheat cake dinners, antique cars, country music, kids activities, a carnival, three parades, arts and crafts booths, timber show, BINGO, fireworks, livestock competitions and exhibits and more.
100,000 Attendees
Okra Strut Festival
Sep 27, 2013 – Sep 28, 2013
Since 1974, the tasty vegetable is the focus of this arts, crafts and entertainment festival in the heart of Irmo. There will be different recipes made from okra.
60,000 Attendees
Marion County Country Ham Days
Sep 28, 2013 – Sep 29, 2013
Court Square Lebanon, KY40033
Since 1970, Besides a country ham breakfast under a tent with all the ‘fixins’, Ham Days features the PIGasus Parade , Street Dance, contests, live entertainment, carnival rides, climbing wall, Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show, Arts and Crafts and Flea Market, 5K Pokey Pig Run, and much more. Mark your calendar now and plan to bring your entire family.
50,000 Attendees
Geneva Grape Jamboree
Sep 28, 2013 – Sep 29, 2013
Town of Geneva Geneva, OH44041
Since 1964, features a waitress and waiter’s race, grape stomping, grape pie eating contest, baby costume contest, run for the grapes, Jamboree art show, craft fair, Geneva camera club photo show, Grape Jamboree antique show and sale, Grape Jamboree softball tournament, volley ball tournament, grape bowl, Lighthouse Grille winefest, and more.
200,000 Attendees
Hudson Valley Garlic Festival
Sep 28, 2013 – Sep 29, 2013
Cantine Field Saugerties, NY12477
Since 1989. The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, the brain child of herbalist and cookbook author, Pat Reppert, is a joyous festival. The festival packs in thousands of garlic lovers, who come for great food, music, dance, camaraderie and fun, plus the chance to taste the many exotic garlics for sale.
50,000 Attendees
Taste of St. Louis
Sep 27, 2013 – Sep 29, 2013
Soldier Memorial Park Saint Louis, MO63103
The Taste of St. Louis has become one of the region’s largest and most anticipated events. Awards received in the last few years include Favorite Family Event by the St. Louis Post Dispatch Readers’ Poll, the prestigious Vincent J. Bommarito Award and AAA Best of the Midwest 2010. Attractions include delectable cuisine from the area’s best eateries, 3 days of music concerts, an Art and Wine Walk, family activities and interactive displays in our sponsor Marketplace. The event will support multiple charities, including Missouri’s Food Outreach.
200,000+ Attendee
Maria can be reached directly at eventsblog@eventcrazy.com or @eventcrazy on Twitter
or visit her website at www.eventcrazy.com
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