Food, glorious food. We’re eager to try it, all right, and always have been — thus the impetus for many a food festival across this great land.
There are more than 1,200 food-themed festivals listed on , from the tucked-away and quirky — squirrel gravy over biscuits at the West Virginia Road Kill Cook-off in Marlington, anyone? — to the ubiquitous “Taste of” events held in small towns and major cities alike, to the celebrity-stoked marketing scenes that events such as the Aspen Food & Wine Classic have become.
What makes a food festival worth the trip? Exceptional eats, of course. But also enough of it and easy access to it — not always givens. Reasonable prices for what you get, a democratic approach to ticket sales, plenty of close-in parking or a good shuttle setup and a well-oiled operation all assist in elevating a decent festival to outstanding status. It’s also nice to have a major metropolis or other attraction nearby, so that there are other compelling reasons to make the trek.
Here are 10 favorites that meet those criteria and then some.
American Royal Barbecue, Kansas City, Mo.
It’s the event that launched “KC Masterpiece” sauce in the 1979 inaugural year, and these days more than 500 contestants cook up every conceivable meat product with rubs and sauces — as well as side dishes and desserts — in the hopes of meeting with similar success, and to vie for cash prizes, including the grand champion pull of $12,500. We’re talking 20 acres of juice drippin’, finger-lickin’ fun. People faint.
But most important is to win bragging rights for best ‘cue, and to see who’s doing what with the latest in smokers, tools and ingredients. Attendees get to taste the competition food only if vendors also happen to be competing, which does happen — not surprisingly, some of Kansas City’s eateries also like to throw their wares into the mix. Adding to the fun: The food event is held in conjunction with the American Royal livestock show, a rodeo and a big Texas Hold ‘Em tournament.
Dates: Oct. 1-4 (or the first full weekend in October)
Cost: $13 at the gate, but the lines are insane. Purchase ahead.
Get there: Fly into Kansas City International Airport and drive toward downtown via U.S. 169. Follow signs to the American Royal Complex at 1701 American Royal Court (about a half-hour drive).
Parking: City lots cost $5, with free shuttles running to the complex.
Stay here: The art deco-style Hotel Phillips (106 W. 12th St., 816-221-7000, ) is for upscale cowboys and girls who are looking for Euro luxury, with Aveda products and robes and fluffy pillows, all in the heart of downtown. Rates start at $189 for a king. Looking for something where your boots can be a little dustier? Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown (770 Admiral Blvd., 816-472-8808, ) offers free waffles and fresh fruit for breakfast, free Wi-Fi, coffeemaker, microwave and fridge in room, and rates start at $120 per night for a king.
Explore: Kansas City is cool, with the thriving Crossroads Arts District, the top-notch Kansas City Zoo and, in case you didn’t get enough at the festival, an endless roster of world-famous barbecue joints.
More info:
Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, City Pier, Port Angeles
What’s not to like about a crab feed? Especially when these sweet beauties were just hauled out of the water right at Sequim, where Dungeness crabs were first commercially harvested. The festival also boasts other fresh seafood, including salmon and oysters, along with wine and beer tastings and lots of local produce and crafts for sale. Live music plays in the background to the tune of claws a-crackin’, and there’s always a lifelong crabber nearby who can show you how to crack like a pro.
There’s also a crab derby and chef demos. But really, the reason to be here is for the off-the-dock crabmeat drenched in hot melted butter, served up daily at the community feed, with corn on the cob and coleslaw, a crab roll and lemonade on the side.
Dates: Oct. 10-11
Cost: There’s no admission to the festival, but individual food items run about $5-$11.
Get there: Fly into Seattle- Tacoma International Airport, and then drive the 90 miles to Port Angeles, about a two- hour trip. Or you can take a seaplane (866-435-9524, ) for $158 round-trip.
Parking: Ample free (get there early) and paid parking close to the marina.
Stay here: A lovely option is the romantic, oceanfront Colette’s Bed & Breakfast (339 Finn Hall Road, Port Angeles, 877-457-9777, ), which sits 10 miles east of Port Angeles and offers exquisite suites with Jacuzzis for two, fireplaces and elaborate multicourse breakfasts. Rates start at $195 a night. But there’s something about a crabfest that calls for less genteel surroundings, though, and so the simple and clean Port Angeles Inn (111 E. Second St., Port Angeles, 800-421-0706, ) is just fine, like those places you stayed as a kid — a bed, TV, refrigerator, microwave and continental breakfast are included. You also get views of the mountains or harbor. Rates start at $69.95.
Explore: Port Angeles is the gateway to Olympic National Park (360-565-3130, ), which offers a stunning rain forest, terrific hiking and the unique opportunity to backpack along the beach. Also, a short ferry ride will take you from the city to Victoria, British Columbia (360-705-7000, ).
More info: 360-452-6300 or
Gilroy Garlic Festival, Gilroy, Calif.
What started out as a low-key gathering that raised quite a stink but also money for local charities has turned into one big brouhaha. The dedicated — last year numbering more than 107,000 — who have been going to Gilroy for decades can’t believe how much the city has changed since the beginning.
As it heads into the 31st annual, the GGF, held at Christmas Hill Park, continues to be smart about its own crazy growth. Despite the big numbers, there aren’t big waits, and the many volunteers manage to keep the park site clean. The festival also has retained a small-town charm, evidenced in things such as the Miss Gilroy Garlic Queen pageant held each May (the Queen and her court hang out at the festival). The food ranges from tasty snacks such as garlic fries and garlic bread (two of the biggest sellers) to less familiar items, including garlic ice cream and lumpia (Filipino spring rolls).
Despite its nickname as the “Garlic Capital of the World,” Gilroy isn’t the largest producer of garlic. But the Gilroy Foods company does process more of it than any other factory in the world. Gilroy is also a big mushroom producer, making the garlic-stuffed fungi at the festival a good bet.
Dates: July 24-26 (always the last full weekend in July)
Cost: General admission at the gate is $12 adults, $6 ages 6-12 and seniors (60-plus), and free for those under 6. Admission includes parking, music, cooking demos and children’s area. Food, $2-$12 for full-size servings, is additional.
Get there: Fly into San Francisco International Airport and take U.S. 101 south; watch for signs to the park. It will take about an hour and a half.
Parking: Free shuttles from parking areas
Stay here: All of the local properties really raise their rates during the GGF, so the key is to book early and troll the Internet for deals. For instance, the Best Western Forest Park Inn (375 Leavesley Road, 888-449-6427, ) is a newly remodeled property that’s usually about $124-$139 a night, but $192 a night during the festival — and it’s one of the reasonable ones. Heated outdoor pool, continental breakfast, free Internet and a convenient locale right off the freeway make it a good choice.
Explore: Gilroy is in San Francisco’s South Bay Area and so can be tagged onto a larger trip to this part of California.
More info: 408-842-1625,
Great American Pie Festival, Celebration, Fla.
While certainly there must be un-American folks who don’t like pie, well, they aren’t at this event. And if you aren’t one of them, the Pie Fest at Lakeside Park is heaven with a light, flaky crust. Everyone is here: the Pillsbury Doughboy, the California Raisins, those women who like to wear jewelry in the shapes of their favorite fruits. Also, because this is Florida, there are decorated golf carts zipping around with bumper stickers that say things like “Pies don’t hit people; people hit people with pies.” And there are a lot of variations of Key-lime pie floating around. At the same time, the commercial and amateur pie-baking championships are occurring down the road in Kissimmee (which sits at one edge of Walt Disney World), and it’s just hard not to get caught up in the excitement.
The best part, though, is the “Never-Ending Pie Buffet” — really, it’s the reason to go. More pie than any human could possibly consume. You also can learn insider secrets on crust and other tips, and meet famous pie-contest winners. And push on the Doughboy’s belly.
Dates: Saturday-April 26
Cost: Admission is for the Never- Ending Buffet only; the rest of the event is free. $10 adults, $5 seniors, ages 6-12.
Get there: Celebration is at the other end of World Drive from Walt Disney World, and so you can pop over to the resort without too much trouble (beware wandering tourists). Fly into Orlando International Airport, and follow the hordes south down Florida 417. You’ll need to rent a car.
Parking: Free parking at lots around Celebration.
Stay here: High end — the Yacht Club (1700 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, 407-939-7429 disneyworld.disney.go.com) is closest to Epcot, has exceptional pools and good on-site food and is very kid-friendly. Rates start at $335 a night. Low end — Fantasy World Club Villas (5005 Kyngs Heath Road, Kissimmee, 800-874-8047, ) offers exceptional value, a great find near the festival and the resort, with two-bedroom units and sleeper sofas in the living room, breakfast bars and dining areas, two baths and washer/dryer. Rates start at $86.
Explore: Orlando, Walt Disney World and the surrounding area make this one serious vacation destination. The Pie Festival is a fun add-on for a family trip.
More info: 847-371-0170,
International Pinot Noir Celebration, McMinnville, Ore.
On a desert island and can take only one food festival? Make it the IPNC. Sure, on its face, it sounds like a wine festival — but that’s just until you eat the food. Yes, the wines are out of this world, because they’re pinot noirs, natch. But the food, much of it cooked by Portland and Seattle chefs, is just outrageously good, from breakfasts of fresh pastries and ripe local fruit to lunches served among the vines or barrels at the vineyards to a blowout salmon bake finale with so much impeccably crafted food it’s impossible to stop nibbling: the fish roasted on stakes over open fire, hearth-baked breads, elaborate salads, tiny desserts that look like artistic masterpieces and make you grab total strangers to sing their praises. Between meals, complimentary lattes and snacks of organic, fresh-fruit ice pops are offered nonstop.
And throughout it all, an endless supply of vino offered up from the best pinot noir producers, made in Oregon, California, New Zealand, France, Chile and Australia, served by a staff of volunteers who are mostly professional servers or truly dedicated wine geeks. This is what a really world-class event looks like.
Dates: July 23-26
Cost: $975 per person for a full-weekend ticket, which includes all meals and tastings.
Get there: Fly into Portland International Airport. Linfield College in McMinnville is located southwest of Portland on Oregon 99W, 75 minutes from the airport. You’ll need to rent a car to get to Mc- Minnville, but once you’re there shuttles and buses can take you to your lodging and off-site events.
Parking: Free street parking gets tight, but it’s there.
Stay here: The Hotel Oregon (310 N.E. Evans St., 888-472-8427, ) sits in downtown McMinnville in a 1905 building and sports an updated Old World charm. You can unwind between festival events playing pool in the groovy billiards room. Rates start at $50 a night for a queen with shared bath.
Explore: A favorite pastime around the IPNC is to pair the trip with tours of the area vineyards — many of the pinot noir producers at the event are located between Portland and McMinnville, and you’ll see their signs on the drive — or to bookend the trip with a stay in hip Portland.
More info: 800-775-4762,
National Cherry Festival, Traverse City, Mich.
One of the oldest festivals around (it started in 1926), the Cherry Festival is also one of the biggest, with about 500,000 expected this summer to participate in the 150 or so events spread out over its eight days. Much of it is free, with the exception of a few special events — the Cherries D’Vine culinary showcase, the Cherry Queen Coronation Ball, the Cherries Grand Buffet. And it’s all held overlooking the lovely West Grand Traverse Bay, with a magnificent fireworks finale.
If you don’t love cherries — and by that, we mean love them, because at some of the meals, such as the buffet, where there are cherries in the soups, salads and drinks — you won’t be completely miserable, because there are a few foods here without them. But be forewarned that the whole area smells like one big cherry pie — and it’s also where you’ll have the best one ever. Also expect cherry BBQ, cherry wine, cherry cider, cherry pizza. Feeling competitive? There’s a cherry-pit-spitting contest, a cherry-pie-eating contest and a . . . Diaper Derby. And volleyball games daily.
Dates: July 4-11
Cost: Getting in is free; individual sit-down meals run $16-$26. The Cherries Grand Buffet has two seatings and always sells out, so buy early.
Get there: Fly into Cherry Capital Airport, which is located 2.5 miles from the event at Festival Open Space Park at Grandview Parkway and Union Street.
Parking: Free at the Larry C. Hardy Parking Deck located on Front and State streets, as well as a number of public lots around the city.
Stay here: The Grand Beach Resort Hotel (1683 U.S. 31 N., 800-968- 1992, ) right on the “sugar sand” beach is one of the older properties, but they’ve been updating slowly, putting in flat- screen TVs and offering Internet in the clean, simple rooms. The indoor pool is a nice option in case the weather gets bad, and you can make your own waffles and have some yogurt and fruit at the free breakfast. Rates start at $155 a night.
Explore: Historic Traverse City also has some beautiful beaches along Lake Michigan and great golfing; if you’ve never been to this part of the Lower Peninsula, you’re in for a treat (and if you have, you know it’s not the heat that gets you; it’s the humidity). Besides cherries, the area also is famous for its grapes and grows other produce in abundance, as well, and so grabbing a picnic from an area market and heading to the shore is a good choice. Check out the self-guided “foodie tour” at visittraversecity ; it’s a nice sampling of the area’s gourmet goodies.
More info: 800-968-3380,
Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
Santa Fe is wonderful anytime, but when the summer swelter has eased and the chile harvest is in full swing, that’s when the City Different really heats up. Restaurants redo their menus in anticipation of the fall crowds, and the cooler nights find patios packed with locals and visitors alike toasting the new releases and stopping on the way home to pick up a bag of just-roasted peppers.
It’s the perfect time for a fiesta celebrating wines and chiles, and all around the city, this event’s luncheons, tastings and seminars do just that.
Santa Fe’s own chefs and hotels host most of the festivities, but visiting chefs from around the country are invited to strut their stuff, as well. More than 60 food-related entities and 90 wineries participate, and they go all out to show off how well their talents work together. Expect the best, and be prepared to loosen your belt a bit.
Dates: Sept. 23-27
Cost: Varies; individual tastings and meals cost $75-$175.
Get there: Fly into Santa Fe Municipal Airport or Albuquerque International Sunport (49 miles away), and then rent a car or take a shuttle, starting at $21 per person (about 90 minutes each way; try ). Or, you can make the six-hour (each way) drive, which doesn’t take much longer than an airport ordeal these days. Hop on Interstate 25 and follow it south 383 miles to exit 284 (Old Pecos Trail/ New Mexico 466) and follow signs for the Old Santa Fe Trail, which will lead you into downtown Santa Fe.
Parking: There’s metered parking around the city for $1 an hour.
Stay here: Las Palomas (460 W. San Francisco St., 877- 982-5560, ) is quite a find, with its private adobe casitas on a quiet stretch just off Guadalupe Street on West San Francisco Street, two blocks from downtown, three from the Plaza. The one-bedrooms offer king-size beds and pullout couches in separate living rooms, with fireplaces, mini-kitchens and a dining area. A deluxe breakfast is included, and there’s a fitness center, hot tub and free parking. Rates start at $222.
Explore: Driving from Denver? Fall is a great time of year to stop in Taos, maybe a pueblo tour, on the way. And definitely plan to spend a few days in Santa Fe checking out the art museums, galleries and other culture-rich offerings.
More info: 505-438-8060,
Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, Breaux Bridge, La.
It’s a tossup as to whether you’ll do more eating or dancing at this one, because the lineup of zydeco, Cajun and swamp-pop musicians (about 30 this year) is as impressive as the mounds of crawfish piled high as far as the eye can see. The tasty freshwater crustaceans come in etouffee, fried, boiled, pie and jambalaya forms, and if they aren’t your favorite, well, you can have some red beans and rice, or shrimp or crab, and there’s plenty of gumbo goin’ around, too.
The crawfish also get raced, eaten in contests and replicated in all manner of crafts and attire. And don’t miss the Cajun dance contests — if you’re feelin’ lucky, they’ll clap you in. This is one of the most welcoming food fests around.
Dates: May 1-3
Cost: $15 for a three-day pass, or $5 each Friday and Sunday and $10 Saturday (cash only at the gate)
Get there: Fly into Baton Rouge (45-minute drive) or New Orleans (about 2 hours). Take Interstate 10 west, Exit 109. When you exit at 109, take a left onto Rees Street (Louisiana 328). Parc Hardy is located 2 miles on the left, after the first traffic light.
Parking: Car parking is available in the rear of Parc Hardy for $2 a day.
Stay here: This is a small, tight-knit community, and the area fills up quickly for the festival. Make reservations early! There is camping and RV parking available across the street from the festival grounds at Parc Hardy for $20, first-come, first-served, and the WalMart down the street lets RVs park there, as well. Right on the Bayou Teche sits the Bayou Cabins (100 W. Mills Ave., 337-332- 6158, ), tidy little spots run like a bed and breakfast. The word “lagniappe” was born here — they’ll give you an icy glass of their homemade root beer (nice on a stinky-hot day) and some snacks, and the cabins are decorated as sweet as can be (beignets for breakfast). Rates start at $60. If Breaux Bridge is full, Lafayette is about 20 minutes away.
Explore: Breaux Bridge is a charmer, and then there are Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and everything between.
More info: 337-332-6655,
Taste of Yountville, Yountville, Calif.
One of the more low-key food parties, Taste of Yountville has the distinction of featuring samples from some of the most famous restaurants in the country, without the usual clawing to get attention. A small part of the larger Napa Valley Mustard Festival, the Taste will find you noshing on tidbits from The French Laundry, Bouchon, Brix Restaurant, Bistro Jeanty, Redd, Mustards Grill and more, and at the same time, about 20 wineries set out exemplary pours — all for about a buck or two a sample.
The French Laundry alone would be several hundred for a meal.
Mustard Fest happens simultaneously, and the valley is carpeted with gorgeous wild mustard plants showing off their greens and golds throughout the vineyards, and there’s olive oil and wine and produce and other tasty stuff being plied around the valley, and local restaurants are offering all manner of prix fixe specials.
It’s just a good time to be around here, because the weather may get skunky or it may not, and so the deals abound.
Dates: March 2010 (usually the third Saturday)
Cost: Admission is free; simply wander along Washington Street, which is cordoned off for the event. For food samples, buy tickets, $1 each, and exchange them for tastes, which cost a ticket or two.
Get there: Yountville is 55 miles north of San Francisco, which means you can fly into San Francisco International Airport or Oakland International Airport and drive north on U.S. 101, or fly into Napa County Airport.
Parking: Washington Street is pretty much shut down for the day; there’s plenty of free parking on side streets and in area lots, but get there early.
Stay here: There are several charming properties along Washington Street; especially inviting is The Bordeaux House (6600 Washington St., 707-944-2855, ), comfy and filled with French furniture, but not overdone. Outdoor hot tub, Wi-Fi, big, hot buffet breakfast. Rates start at $205.
Explore: Yountville is a good jumping-off point for a wine traipse through the Napa Valley or a drive up the coast.
More info: 707-944-0904,
Pennsylvania Dutch Festival, Philadelphia
Once a year, the 1892 Reading Terminal Market — already a mecca for farmers- market hounds and those who know that the Amish have a whole corner devoted to their wares and which stands have the best Philly cheesesteaks — overflows with shoofly pie and just- fried doughnuts, chicken pot pies and other freshly made goods from the area’s Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch communities.
You can buy a quilt, pet a goat, learn how to make cheese and ice cream the old-fashioned way, take a buggy ride around the terminal with an Amish farmer and watch his daughter make a hand-braided wool rug. Canned jams and jellies and other fruit, local honey, herbs, home-cured meats and baked goods brought in each morning are all available for tasting and sale. Nonfood items are offered, as well — wooden toys, cribs and other furniture, homemade brooms, quilts, dried flowers, homespun cloth.
Kids love the petting zoo, and in the past they have hosted a mock barn-raising, hayrides and live country and bluegrass music.
Dates: Aug. 6-8
Cost: Admission is free; the foods start at $2.
Get there: Fly into Philadelphia International Airport. You’ll need to rent a car or use the excellent subway system. If driving, take Interstate 95 north to exit 22 Central Philadelphia/Route 676. Follow signs for 676 west to the first exit/Broad Street. At the second stoplight, make a left onto Vine Street; follow Vine to 12th Street.Reading Terminal Market is at 12th and Arch streets.
Parking: The Parkway Garage at 12th and Filbert fills up almost immediately on festival days, so unless you get there hours before the event, don’t count on it. The market is a one- or two- block walk from all of the subway exits.
Stay here: Windsor Suites (1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 877-784-8379, ) is well located in this compact downtown, close to the Franklin Institute science center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Rodin Museum and the city’s ornate train station. In addition, the plain but tasteful, bargain-oriented lodging has huge suites with mini- kitchens, ideal for spreading out your haul to snack between festival forays. Rates start at $139 for one bedroom; breakfast is included.
Explore: Philadelphia is a magnificent destination with enough history to keep you busy for a lifetime, and wonderful cultural and gastronomic offerings.
More info:
Kyle Wagner: 303-954-1599 or travel@denverpost.com
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, the location of the Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival was incorrect. It is held at City Pier in Port Angeles.
