So, I was intrigued when I heard on a recent Y’all Radio Show episode that there was a Pickle Festival this month in North Carolina. That sent me on a quest to find some other unique food festivals across the South this month. The following are the results of that quest:
- Taco Libre – Dallas, Tx. – Apr.27 -Where tacos are celebrated alongside of Lucha Libre wrestling.
- National Cornbread Festival– South Pittsburg, TN – April 20-28 – Sponsored by Lodge, MFG ( they make cast iron pots and pans). Cornbread cookoffs, music, cornbread alley and demonstrations .
- St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival– Birmingham, Al.- April 26-27. St. Elias Maronite Church. Now in its 18th year, the festival serves up the very best Lebanese dishes from baked kibbe to baklava.
- Irvine Mountain Mushroom Festival – Irvine, Ky. – April 27-28. In it’s 29th year, the Mountain Mushroom Festival is a celebration of the Appalachian culture: the morel mushroom, Kentucky agate, arts and crafts, Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky River, and mountains
- Slawburger Festival – Fayetteville, Tn. – April 20- The fifth Slawburger Festival in Fayetteville, Tennessee- home of the Famous Slawburger. There is also a Slawdog Contest.
- Soft Shell Crab Festival – Port Royal, SC – April 20 – Local chefs will be serving favorite soft shell crab dishes as well as a variety of other festival foods. And there is the annual Crab Race.
- Rock N Ribs BBQ Festival – Springfield, Mo. – April 25th-27th – In it’s 20th year it’s a KCBS sanctioned event celebrating BBQ and Southern Rock.
- World’s Biggest Fish Fry – Paris, Tn – April 20-28 – The whole festival revolves around the “Fish Tent” where by last account over 12,500 pounds of catfish is served with all the trimmings. In addition to all you can eat catfish you will find parades, carnival, rodeos, catfish races, dances, arts and crafts to name a few. Events actually begin early in February with beauty pageants leading up to the week long celebration
- Tampa Bay Seafood and Music Festival – Tampa, Fla.- Apr.26-28 – Attendees can enjoy menus of delectable foods all cooked onsite by local restaurants and food purveyors. Seafood dishes include such ingredients as mahi, stone crabs and grouper, all using local and sustainable ocean resources. Meat and vegetarian entrees also are offered, along with a diverse list of side dishes and desserts. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are offered.
