Photo: mio-spr, Flickr
It's time for food-fair aficionados to loosen their belts or, better yet, don elastic-waist pants. From plentiful strawberries to mudbug stranglers, local festivals are beginning to bloom -- beauty pageants included. As you'll see, most of the featured events are in the South. With the spring harvest, the South gives good reason for belly-stuffing.
West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, May 2-8, Humboldt, Tenn.: Kick off May in the South by munching on strawberries at tractor and horse shows, recipe competitions, two parades as well as races at which you can burn off those sweet calories. There will be fireworks following the official opening ceremonies on May 3. No word on whether there will be any strawberry-shaped pyrotechnics.
Dermott Crawfish Festival, May 14-15, Dermott, Ark.: In its 27th year, this festival pays homage to the delectable freshwater crustacean in its myriad presentations, including the popular boil. If you plan on attending, please remember the proper method of eating crawfish -- "suck the head, pinch the tail" -- and you'll get the most out of the rides, vendors and live entertainment.
American Craft Beer Week, May 17-23, Nationwide: What's a month without a beer festival? This isn't the only beer bash in May, but it is the largest. From sea to shining sea, get your suds on when craft breweries, beer bars and homebrewers raise their collective pints in your honor.








