August Food Festivals

by Jose Ralat Maldonado, Posted Jul 30th 2010 @ 11:00AM

blueberry boxes at the market Photo: selfnoise, Flickr

August is considered the hottest month from coast to coast, border to border -- anyone notices the heat wave? -- but there are several chances to cool down with some berries and beverages. This month is berry, berry good. Sorry, we couldn't help ourselves.

FarmFest '10, Aug. 3-5, Gilfillan Estate, Redwood County, Minn.: A chance for farmers and industry types to gab about the latest in farming tech, this 29th annual aggie party hasn't forgotten families. There's the bio-diesel tractor pull. If that's not your bushel of apples, perhaps the pancake breakfast or farm family of the year is for you. The event that will surely draw the kiddies is the farm safety carnival -- with the chance to win a prize.

Estherville Sweet Corn Days, Aug. 5-8, Estherville, Iowa: Summer isn't the same without sweet corn. During this four-day fete, the corn is free! Also featured during this festival, one of many nationwide corn tributes, are opportunities for bird watching, kayaking the Iowa River and fireworks. At this time, we cannot confirm that any of the pyrotechnics will be corn shaped.

Blackberry Harvest Festival, Aug. 7, Nellysburg, Va.: No Boone's Farm jokes, here, people. Berry picking is a summer ritual and Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery kicks it up a notch. Not only can visitors pick their blackberries, they can sample some of Hill Top's wine selection, like the Blackberry Delight, and learn about food pairings, all with a bluegrass and country soundtrack. Pig out with the pickin' later.

Huckleberry Days, Aug. 13-15, Whitefish, Mont.: In its 21st year, this Big Sky festival celebrates the oft-forgotten berry -- and we don't mean the "Strawberry Shortcake" character. The admission is free and all are welcome to enter the cook-offs (commercial and non-commercial). The little ones can get their faces painted and enjoy some refreshing huckleberry ice cream.

Chokecherry Festival, Aug. 14, Pequot Lakes, Minn.: OK, OK, chokecherries aren't berries, but this one-day celebration has a pit-spitting contest! That's cool. Of course, there will be pancakes with chokecherry syrup and culinary blitzkriegs, including a wine category. But, c'mon, pit spitting!

Machias Wild Blueberry Festival, Aug. 20-22, Machias, Maine: For 35 years, this Down East town has trumpeted the wild blueberry. (Bit of trivia: 85% of the world's blueberries are produced in the Down East region of Maine. That should be enough to warrant a trip to Machias.) Among the highlights are the face-staining pie-eating contest, the blueberry cooking competitions -- pickles included -- and a blueberry-themed musical.

New Haven Food and Wine Festival, Aug. 25, New Haven, Conn.: In its third year, this festival will have an appearance by the elder statesman of French cuisine on American TV, Jacques Pepin. He'll be chatting with event attendees for a meet-and-eat session. The line-up of local grub options is varied, including farm-to-table cookery as well as international comestibles, like the Malaysian food from Bentara. While you check out, why not take a seat at the Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament, which coincides with the Food and Wine Festival. Get dishes served; watch hot-shots serve balls.

Traverse City Summer Microbrew & Music Festival, Aug. 27-28, Traverse City, Mich.: Michigan isn't the first state to come to mind when craft beer is mentioned, but local breweries like Wolverine State Brewing Company, are striving to change that. For the second year in a row, Traverse City will be hosting some of the nation's greatest craft breweries, among them Dogfish Head, Stone and Ommegang. Wolverine State breweries joining the eponymous brewing company include Michigan Brewing and Detroit Beer companies. Ozomatli and Sierra Leone's Refugee All Star's, formed in the Republic of Guinea, are two of the many bands providing musical entertainment.

Filed Under: Events
Tags: august food festivals, festivals, food festivals, microbreweries, wine

Chew on This

Royal Wedding Cake Details Revealed! - YumSugar

Make Your Own Pop Tarts - CHOW
Denny's Introduces a Maple Bacon Sundae - Eater
Whole Foods Opening Bars in Stores - USA Today
Rules Of Bar Etiquette -- For The Bartender - HuffPost Food

Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-30-2010 @12:32PM Aubrey said... 4th Annual Tomato Festival, August 14, Lewes, Delaware: The Great Tomato Recipe Contest takes place from 10-11 a.m. Prizes and ribbons for winners in 4 categories. Tomato Tasting takes places from 9 to 11:30 a.m. with over 50 heirloom and hybrid varieties to taste. Children's Reading Program will feature tomato stories for kids at 9 a.m. www.historiclewesfarmersmarket.org
Reply