Photo by Fall is in the air, and you know what that means - festival season is upon us! As the temperatures cool down, the excitement heats up in the South, where the flavors of the season come alive in a celebration of food, drink, and community. From the Gulf Coast to the Blue Ridge Mountains, we’re highlighting the top Southern food and drink festivals that’ll make your taste buds do the Texas two-step.
Savoring the Flavors of the South
In the heart of Pensacola, Florida, the Pensacola Seafood Festival is a seafood lover’s paradise. Enjoy fresh catches of the day, expertly prepared by top chefs and served up with a side of Southern hospitality. And if you’re looking for a taste of the turf, don’t worry - there’s plenty of that too!
But seafood isn’t the only star of the show. In Grapevine, Texas, GrapeFest is the largest wine festival in the Southwest, featuring wines from around the world, including Texas’s own finest vintages. And if you’re feeling crafty, be sure to check out the charcuterie board workshop or learn how to make your own organic candles at Texas Wine and Wicks.
Festivals for Every Palate
In Irmo, South Carolina, the Irmo Okra Strut is a beloved tradition that’s been strutting its stuff for decades. With live music, rides, and plenty of fried okra (of course!), this festival is a must-visit for anyone looking for a taste of small-town charm.
And then there’s the Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival, where the main event is all about the ‘cue. Local and regional vendors will be showing off their barbecue skills, and you get to be the judge! But don’t forget to arrive hungry, because the festival raises money for community and children’s organizations.
A World of Flavors
In London, Kentucky, the World Chicken Festival is a clucking good time, celebrating over three decades of tradition and local hero Colonel Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken. And if you’re feeling brave, be sure to enter the Colonel Sanders look-alike contest!
But chicken isn’t the only star of the show. In Summerville, South Carolina, the Sweet Tea Festival is a sweet celebration of the South’s favorite drink. Sample different kinds of tea and vote for your favorite, then try cocktail renditions at various spots around town in the Hold My Tea Bar Crawl.
More Flavors to Savor
In New Orleans, the Beignet Fest is a sweet treat for the senses, featuring unique takes on the classic beignet, from peanut butter and jelly to praline and candied sweet potato. And if you’re looking for something savory, don’t worry - there’s plenty of that too!
In Baltimore, the Big Dill Pickle Party is the world’s largest pickle party, featuring artisan pickle companies, pickle-themed games, and even a pickle-eating contest! And if you’re feeling thirsty, be sure to try the pickle shots.
Last but not least, in Charlotte, North Carolina, the BayHaven Food & Wine Fest is a celebration of Black foodways, featuring a family-style feast with James Beard-nominated chefs, a symposium, and an all-female chef dinner.
Get Ready for a Taste Adventure
From seafood to sweet tea, pickles to peanuts, these Southern food and drink festivals have something for every palate. So grab your fork, your friends, and your sense of adventure, and get ready to taste the flavors of the South!
Festivals galore!
A seafood lover’s paradise at the Pensacola Seafood Festival
GrapeFest: the largest wine festival in the Southwest
Fried okra and fun at the Irmo Okra Strut
The Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival: where ‘cue meets blues
The World Chicken Festival: a clucking good time
Sweet tea and fun at the Sweet Tea Festival
Beignet Fest: a sweet treat for the senses
The Big Dill Pickle Party: the world’s largest pickle party
The BayHaven Food & Wine Fest: a celebration of Black foodways
