Aspen Food & Wine Classic, Aspen
Date: June 19-21
The list of the famous people attending almost has become more important than the subject matter, but this is still the big food event in the country, and it always sells out.
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Pierogi Fest, Whiting Ind.
Date: July 24-26
Oprah Winfrey ranked this one among her “top 7” food events to travel to, and if it’s good enough for her, well…Of course, pierogi fans are pretty serious about their dumplings, and at this event, most folks even know how to roll the “r.”
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Maine Lobster Festival, Rockland, Maine
Date: July 29-Aug. 2
For 62 years more than 20,000 pounds of lobster has been consumed annually at this small-town event that draws quite a crowd and counts views of Penobscot Bay among its charms.
Info: 1-800-LOB-CLAW,
Georgia Peach Festival, Fort Valley, Ga.
Date: June 12-20
The peach cobbler alone — the world’s largest — is worth checking out, and the peach ice cream, too. There’s dancing and fireworks and a big parade.
Info: . 1-87-PEACHES
Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival, Little Chute, Wis.
Date: June 5-7
Cheese curds, cheescake, a breakfast of mostly cheese — cheeseheads unite!
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Spam Jam, Waikiki, Hawaii
Date: Saturday (usually last weekend in April)
The 7th annual event promises the usual shrines to the canned meat from Hormel Foods, and while it’s had to imagine anyone purposely attending an event where a lot of Spam is consumed, this street festival is always packed.
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Chocolate Lover’s Festival, Fairfax, Va.
Date: Feb. 6-7, 2010
Since 1992, this has been a way for those who love chocolate and Virginia (isn’t that what it’s for?) to gather and raise money for charity.
Info: 703-385-1661,
National Buffalo Wing Festival, Buffalo, N.Y.
Date: Sept. 5-6
Ironically, the idea for this festival came from the movie “Osmosis Jones,” when Bill Murray’s character wanted to go to the Buffalo Wing Festival, and at the time, there wasn’t one. In 2002, it came to be. Wing fans rejoice.
Info: 716-565-4141,
Yuma Lettuce Days, Yuma, Ariz.
Date: Jan. 23-25, 2010
This is the one to hit after you’ve spent the year previous eating at food festivals. The thing is, there’s a lot to like about lettuce, especially when it’s in the world’s largest salad.
Info: 928-782-5712,
Applejack Festival, Nebraska City, Neb.
Date: Sept. 20-21
Who knew? For 40 years, Nebraska City has been celebrating its famous apple orchards with a big party and a feed that feature just about everything you can make out of apples, including butter galore.
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