Delicious Summer Food Festivals Not To Miss

You don't have to be a connoisseur to get excited about the countless upcoming food festivals found annually around the US. In a land where food is king, it's no wonder that these events are not just eagerly awaited, but celebrated to their fullest extent by casual visitors and foodies alike. Here are a few of our favorites.

Maine Lobster Festival

From July 30th to August 3rd seafood aficionados from far and wide will head to Mainein numbers much greater than the normal invasion of lobster lovers seen by residents throughout the year. How much lobster are we talking about here? This party hosts the world's most impressive lobster cooker, boiling up no less than 20,000 pounds of the luscious red crustaceans. Attendees will also be treated to a marine tent, cooking contests, vendors, crafts, fine art, races, entertainment, a parade, and the crowning of the luminous Sea Goddess.

Taste of Chicago

Another foodie free-for-all takes place in the Windy Cityfrom July 8th to 12th. The Fest300 Community hosts Chicago's finest in culinary delights during an event that initially lasted one day at its very beginning in 1980. Now, some 4 million people will attend the nation's biggest and arguably best food festival featuring not just food demonstrations and tastings but concerts that frequently sell out. Admission to the festival is free but the food tickets and some larger concerts will cost you extra.

Gilroy Garlic Festival

At this Californiafestival you will find garlic-laced everything including bread, fries, sausage sandwiches, fried calamari, pasta, pepper steak sandwiches, and even, believe or not, ice cream. Fun for the whole family, it also includes a teen zone, children's area, wine tasting, arts and crafts, demonstrations, contests, and three stages of entertainment taking place for three days from July 24th to 26th. Yes, garlic may be good for the health but its bad for your breath, so be sure to pick up a pack of your favorite breath mints!

Truckeroo Food Truck Festival

Not to be confined to a single weekend, Truckeroo is actually held monthly from April through September in Washington DC across from the Navy Yard Metro Station. This year's dates are April 24th, May 15th, June 12th, July 10th, and September 11th. At M Street and Half, you will find every food truck imaginable and some you wouldn't even think of. Enter and enjoy lots of live music for free but bring plenty of cash to eat your way around the grounds from 11 in the morning until 11 at night.

Vermont Cheesemakers Festival

Mark your calendar because you only have one day to enjoy all the cheesy goodness of this VermontCheesefest. July 19th is the day at Lake Champlain's historic Shelburne Farms Coach Barn. With more than 40 cheese makers, Vermont considers itself the nation's premium artisanal cheese state. And to top it all off, you can pair your favorite cheeses with samples of fine wine available throughout the event to all adult festival goers.

What's your local favorite food festival?

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Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.