With gas and airline prices soaring, Americans are looking for more affordable ways to enjoy spontaneous day trips, weekend getaways, and longer vacations without sacrificing the fun. What's a food-lover to do? Consider a food-festival vacation. You can stay close to home or venture to new destinations-there are plenty of food festivals to choose from all across the country. So if you enjoy travel, outdoor activities, or good food, satisfy your inner travel bug and palate at the same time by attending a food festival.
What better way for residents to show pride in our heritage, our towns, and the fruit of our fields or the catch of our rivers and oceans, than to host a food festival? These festivals have always been a means of uniting communities through celebrations of harvests and giving thanks for a plentiful growing season. They can be traced back thousands of years to celebrating the arrival of harvest time, the autumnal equinox, and the honoring of earth gods.
Combining the excitement of celebrations with the fresh taste of local foods, food festivals continue those traditions today-typically honoring a crop grown or food harvested in the region. Commonly featured foods include seafood, fruits, vegetables, chili, and barbecue while some events highlight more unusual local specialties. Regardless, there's a festival for every taste.
Food festivals are ideal entertainment for the whole family. Besides the main attraction-delicious food-these festivals feature a variety of amusements. Live musical entertainment is common, eating contests are popular, and off-beat competitions are always a favorite. Like fairs or carnivals, food festivals often feature children's activities and exciting midways with their flashing lights, daredevil rides, and games of chance.
Pageants are often highlighted by the crowning of the festival queen. Small or elaborate parades create fun for all ages with imaginative floats and marching bands. Races burn off calories-or build an appetite. Evenings are crowned with firework shows. Slower-paced attendees can meander through arts and craft booths, farmers markets, or displays of antique cars, fire engines, or farm equipment. For those strictly there for the food, many festivals hold recipe competitions or cookoffs.
Many festivals have a small-town character, while others have gained nationwide recognition. Festival length varies-from one-day affairs to a week or more.
While most food festivals are free or charge a nominal admission fee, and many offer free samples, some are ticketed events for admission and/or the food. Depending on the location, there may be a parking charge. Since fees change frequently, make sure to contact the festivals ahead of time so there are no surprises. Keep in mind that many festival proceeds go to charity, which may make swallowing the cost more palatable.
Typically you go from booth to booth (pay as you go) and sample different foods or recipes of the same food. But other festivals have whole meals for purchase or are sit-down meals. Festivals may feature a particular raw ingredient (like strawberries or tomatoes) while others involve preparing dishes on-site (like chili or barbecue). Or if you crave variety, "Taste Of" events typically feature the signature dishes of local restaurants.
More and more people are planning their travels around food-related events, and every state boasts many delicious destinations for celebrating its regional specialties. So gather your family and friends and savor the fresh taste of local fare while enjoying the great outdoors - without breaking the bank!
No comments:
Post a Comment