Summer has arrived. For many Americans, that means a whole lot more outdoor activities and a little more time off to enjoy them. Millions of travelers will be out traversing the country in the coming months, and culinary business owners have plenty of opportunities to capitalize on it in a big way. Two words: Food, Festivals!
With festivals happening from every tiny town to big city, there is surely a celebration or two out there that fit your kind of food. So, what are you waiting for? Hit the ground running with your best dishes and rack up some new customers from all over the world. Show off your brand with logo embroidered Executive Aprons and let your food say the rest. Here are a few of the best and most unique festivals happening this summer.
- Georgia Peach Festival
- Byron & Fort Valley, GA, June 6-13
- Over 10,000 annual visitors
- Highlights: Miss Georgia Peach Pageant, live entertainment, parade, and the World’s Largest Peach Cobbler
- RC Cola and Moonpie Festival
- Bell Buckle, TN, June 10
- Highlights: live country and bluegrass music, the Synchronized Wading Extravaganza, Moonpie games, RC Moonpie 10 mile run, cutting of the world’s largest Moonpie
- Taste of Chicago
- Chicago, IL, July 8-12
- World’s largest food festival
- Highlights: live music, food trucks, pop-up restaurants, and celebrity chefs
- Blues, Brews, and BBQ Festival
- Louisville, KY, July 10-12
- Highlights: the name says it all!
- Yarmouth Clam Festival
- Yarmouth, ME, July 17-19
- Over 100,000 annual visitors
- Highlights: music and arts, parade, clam-shucking contest, proceeds support local non-profits
- Gilroy Garlic Festival
- Gilroy, CA, July 24-26
- Highlights: live cooking competition, garlic ice cream, arts & crafts, and wine tasting
- Maine Lobster Fest
- Rockland, ME, July 29- August 2
- Highlights: lobster crate race, Fun Run & Walk, parade, cooking contests, live music, and coronation of the Maine Sea Goddess
- Pittston Tomato Festival
- Pittston, PA, August 20-23
- Over 50,000 annual visitors
- Highlights: parade, 5K, rides, bingo, tomato fights, sauce wars, and tomato contest – including prize for the ugliest
- Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off
- Sparks, NV, September 2-9
- Home of the biggest rib cook-off
- Highlights: live music, eating competitions, crafts, and VIP Rib Village – buy a table and enjoy unlimited ribs and drinks for up to 10 people
- National Buffalo Wing Festival
- Buffalo, NY, September 5 & 6
- Over 70,000 annual visitors
- Highlights: live music, eating/sauce/spice contests, over 30 restaurants serving upwards of 100 styles of wing sauces