19 delicious spring, summer food festivals across the south
After a slow couple of years for outdoor gatherings, food fests are back again with barbecue, soul food, crawfish and even livermush. Here are 20 excuses to get outside this spring and summer and eat your way across the South at food festivals big and small. Many events are free.
May New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Now–may 8 in New Orleans
The music gets top billing, but the food is also a star at the long-running event popularly known as Jazz Fest. Vendors come back each year to make favorite dishes, like cracklins, crawfish bisque, jambalaya, fried pork chop sandwiches and cochon de lait po’boys. www.nojazzfest.com
Memphis in May Barbecue Competition
May 11–14 in Memphis
Officially known as the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the annual event is one of the big four barbecue cookoffs. Although guests do not get to sample the competitors’ entries, there will be plenty of barbecue, drinks and music for all. memphisinmay.org
Taste of the Bluegrass
May 13 in Lexington, Kentucky
The annual benefit for the local food bank, now in its 40th year, features some of the area’s best restaurants with plenty of wine and beer. godspantry.org/events/tasteofthebluegrass/
Nashville Rosé Festival
May 14 in Nashville
Try more than 100 specialty rosé wines, local beers, spirits and cocktails. The event also includes a vendor village, DJS, food trucks and lawn games. It benefits the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition. www.nashvillerosefestival.com
Spirited Brunch
May 15 in Charleston, South Carolina
A free, self-guided tour of Charleston’s houses of worship, with each stop welcoming visitors with food. The tour is organized by local food writer Hanna Raskin. For more information, see thefoodsection.substack.com
See FESTIVALS, Page 7B