Blog

Spring Sampling of Food Festivals

Spring is in the air, and so is the smell of some amazing food. Food festivals are in full swing from coast to coast this year. Whether you’ve been cooped up all winter and you’re desperate for a stroll in the sunshine, or you simply love the fresh feeling of springtime – we’ve got some tasty travel tips for you to get out and enjoy life.

Spring 2017 Food Festivals, Cook-offs, and Contests

Taste of Vail, 4/5/17 – 4/9/17, Vail, CO:
In its 27th year, the Taste of Vail celebrates its status as a premier spring food and wine festival. Thousands will fill Vail streets and mountain resorts to get a taste of the Vail lifestyle. Attendees will enjoy Vail Valley’s world-class dining, wineries, interactive cooking seminars, a Colorado Lamb Cook-off, and other iconic tasting events set for the weekend.

Mississippi Coast Coliseum Crawfish Music Festival, 4/20/17 – 4/30/17, Biloxi, MS:
Spanning the last two weekends of April, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Crawfish Music Festival offers fantastic entertainment and family fun. Headline musicians, crawfish, and exciting mid-way rides delight attendees. Piping hot boiled crawfish will be devoured by one and all during the official Crawfish Cook-off on April 23rd, when teams compete for prizes and bragging rights.

Austin Food & Wine Festival, 4/28/17 – 4/30/17, Austin, TX:
The Lone Star State shines with this annual food and wine festival. While canceled in 2016 due to weather, this year’s event looks to be better than ever with live music, tasting events, celebrity chefs, and enough Texan food to knock your cowboy boots off. This is a great opportunity to discover one of America’s most unique cities with an eclectic music scene in addition to fantastic local restaurants.

World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, 5/17/17 – 5/20/17, Memphis, TN:
Known regionally as the “barbecue capital,” Memphis celebrates its love of smoked pork with a world championship event, which is part of its annual Memphis In May International Festival. Join in the festivities to taste an array of saucy delights from hundreds of cooks competing for over $100,000 in cash prizes.

Annual Italian Market Festival, 5/20/17 – 5/21/17, Philadelphia, PA: 
Celebrated as Philadelphia’s largest block party for people of all ages, the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival is said to be one of the nation’s oldest outdoor markets. In addition to delicious Italian eats, the events include a Procession of Saints, handball tournament, grease pole contest, live entertainment, and plenty of family fun.

Have we whet your appetite for a spring trip? We guarantee there is something good cooking close to you. Check your local news and events listings. There is likely no shortage of spring festivals and fresh markets popping up in your area. Just get out and enjoy them.

Take a picture of the amazing local food you find and share them with us on Twitter or Facebook. Eat well, live long, and travel far!