September Food Festivals

Summer is winding down, but food festivals aren't. From in-season produce to competitive cooking and channeling of Orville Redenbacher, September is a boon for festival-goers nationwide.

Great Tomato Tasting, Sept. 1, Pittstown, N.J.: The Tomatina Festival in Spain, this is not. Held at Rutger University's Clifford E. and Melda C. Snyder Research and Extension Farm in Hunterdon County, this 20th-annual event will showcase more than 80 varieties of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes,such as Brandywine and Lemon Cherry, as well as offer samples of sweet peppers, apples, cucumbers, herbs and peaches. In the Teaching Garden, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about insects beneficial to the garden, the farm's holly and blueberry breeding programs and much more for green thumbs. The reservations-required Discovery Tour will include a demonstration and tasting by Chef Christoper Albrecht of Eno Terra Restaurant. Those partaking in the tour will also get a goody bag of tomatoes and other produce.
World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-Off, Sept. 3-5, Brady, Texas: While goat might not be the first animal grill masters think of for a Sunday barbecue, many restaurants across the Lone Star State offer some form of goat dish. It's no surprise, then, that this central Texas town dedicates three days to celebrating it. Aside from the namesake contest, there will be a dance, games for kids, arts and crafts and a goat lunch for the public. There will also be a judging of something called "Mystery Meat."







Marion Popcorn Festival, Sept. 9-11, Marion, Ohio: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the largest popcorn fete in the world. More than 250,000 people pop in annually to munch what Orville Redenbacher made famous and what summer blockbusters are made of. The event is primarily centered around such sports activities as bike races, golfing and the Corn Hole Classic tournament, which is followed by a performance from Blues Traveler. There will be pageants for the young and pooch, alike, thrill rides as well as the Orville Redenbacher Parade and a cooking contest.

Oregon Grape Stomp Competition & Harvest Celebration, Sept. 11-12, Turner, Ore.: The Willamette Valley Vineyards wants you to share in the fun that is the grape harvest. Release your frustrations and stain your feet purple. The two-person team that produces the most juice gets a free trip to the World Grape Stomping Competition. The five-dollar admission includes a free Riedel wine glass and tasting (not of the stomped juice).








Beavercreek Popcorn Festival, Sept. 11-12, Beavercreek, Ohio: We know you can't get enough of this stuff, even if you are partial to the microwave variety. This Midwest town knows it too. For two days, attendees will run, check out the car show and, naturally, enjoy the popcorn treats from the over 200 booths of concessions and arts and crafts vendors.

Nappanee Apple Festival, Sept. 16-19, Nappanee, Ind.: While there are myriad apple festivals nationwide this month, this one takes the cake -- we mean, pie. There will be the usual pageants, arts and crafts, parades, live music, farm tractor show, but it's the main events that draw the approximately 72,000 visitors. Those are the apple-peeling contest, the cook-off and, most importantly, the world's largest seven-foot baked apple pie, weighing in at 600 pounds. And it's edible.







The Joy of Sake, Sept. 23, New York, N.Y.: Three hundred sakes will be available for consumption. Repeat: 300 sakes. The last stop of this traveling feast of Japanese rice wine before heading to Tokyo, it's the largest sake tasting outside of Japan. The top-notch sake entries will be judged (in a blind tasting) by the U.S. National Sake Appraisal. Individuals present will get to sample the best of the best alongside contemporary Asian cuisine provided by 12 New York restaurants. Last year's eateries included Kai, En Japanese Brasserie and Matsugen.

Jewish Food Faire, Sept. 26, Carmichael, Calif.: Congregation Beth Shalom knows good eats. It's hosting the top dogs of Jewish delis (Katz's Deli from N.Y.C., Canter's Deli from L.A. and Saul's Deli from Berkeley, Calif.). Jews and Gentiles will be able to nosh on matzo ball soup, bagels with the works, latkes, falafel, corned beef sandwiches and more for free. There will be dancing, storytelling as well as live music, among the acts will be klezmer groups and synagogue's house band. L'Chaim!