"festivals" news and stories

Have you ever dreamed of partaking in a massive food fight? Sliding down 250,000 pounds of smashed tomatoes? Or even attempting to ski with watermelons attached to your feet?

Well, there's a festival for that. Food & Wine put together a list of thirteen of the countries most insane food gatherings.

Head over to Food & Wine for the entire list of, as well as photographs of the World's Weirdest Food Festivals.

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.

Hello, sweltering heat and sunburns! How nice to be reunited with you again. Let's celebrate with some brew and 'cue, because this month has a plenty of it.

Ribfest, July 1-4, Naperville, Ill.: Gluttonous munching on barbecue ribs is as American as it gets, especially when it coincides with Independence Day. This Chicago suburb festival was named one of four "Ultimate Festivals" in the May 2008 issue of Details magazine. Best ribs and sauces will be judged according to Kansas City BBQ Society standards. Other than the animals as vehicles for BBQ, fried foods and refreshing beverages like lemonade and root beer will be showcased. British Invasion bad boys the Animals will be performing July 3rd. (Yeah, we don't know how that makes any sense, either.) Naturally, because of the event's dates, the celebration will culminate with patriotic fireworks.

Pineapple Festival, July 3, Lanai, Hawaii: The hospitality of America's 50th state is legendary and the islands are damn near the epitome of paradise. The one-day, 17th annual festival features the prickly tropical fruit that plays well in salsas and on the grill. The free event will highlight the local cuisine, crafts and entertainment.

K-Town BBQ Cook-Off & Texas Music Concert, July 9-10, Kosciusko, Texas: Lone Star State residents will tell you the best BBQ is made in Texas, and they're probably right. While there will be tunes aplenty, the events to draw the largest crowds will be the contests for best pork ribs, sausage and beef brisket. The judges will have a difficult time keeping the score cards free of sauce stains.

Spring has arrived! With it, come scads of crawfish festivals along the Gulf Coast, beer and wine festivals nationwide and the heralding of spring harvests. April is so chock-full of culinary merrymaking we can only wish you luck getting through the month without lapsing into a life-threatening -- though joyous -- food coma.

Breckenridge Beer Festival, April 3, Breckenridge, Colo.: American craft beer continues to attract followers and chip away at commercial leviathans. In few places is this more evident than in Colorado, one of the country's beer meccas. Unlimited tasting tickets will set you back $25, but serious beer geeks will want to shell out $55 for VIP passes, which include early entry to the festival, a commemorative glass mug, unlimited tastings, a private VIP room, lunch and a buffet. Raise a pint glass to local and national breweries, among them Oskar Blues, Great Divide and the town's own, Breckenridge Brewing Company.

Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation Boston, April 8, Boston, Mass.: What's a month without a fine-dining fete? The Share Our Strength series' event in Boston will feature more than 70 area restaurants and 40 wineries, including the Little Pearl, Rialto and Eastern Standard. All ticket sales will benefit Share Our Strength's effort to end child hunger.

You wouldn't know it thanks to Mother Nature's meteorologically unstable mood, but spring is, in fact, around the corner. As such, this month's food fetes look to the warmer weather and the promise of a new season.

Mid-Atlantic Barista Competition, March 5-7, Secaucus, N.J.: Wake up! The captains of coffee will take to the bar and compete for the best espresso, cappuccino and signature event. Entries will be evaluated on the merits of taste and tactile balance, contents and temperature. Get your jolt of joe as a judge or provide one by entering the contest.