I’ve been covering a lot of food festivals here on The Wandering Gourmand and in my freelance writing. My recent interest in food festivals is peaked for a variety of reasons. First, food festivals help further define the “eat local” movement by highlighting local ingredients and their many creative uses. Second, many food festivals honor local traditions that date back generations. Third, as most of these festivals are family friendly, they are an excellent way to educate children about food. I could go on, but I think you get the point.
In this latest post, I highlight food festivals out west. It’s a unique territory to look at since the wide-open spaces help breed creativity. Here are five creative food festivals out west!
California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard, California
Each May, the city of Oxnard, California helps ring in the summer with a celebration of everyone’s favorite summer fruit – the strawberry! The California Strawberry Festival boasts 50 food booths, celebrity chef demonstrations, and 200 arts and crafts vendors. The real fun is tasting the many ways strawberries are served in creative dishes ranging from strawberry nachos to berry kabobs and strawberry popcorn. Then there’s my personal favorite – strawberry beer! The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ventura is the festival’s partner hotel.
Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour in Keystone, Colorado
Praise the lard in Keystone at the third annual Blue Ribbon Bacon Tour! Each June, lovers of the swine can feast from thousands of pounds of mouth-watering bacon. Aside from bacon worked into just about any food you can imagine, there is also plenty of craft beer and bourbon to help wash down the smoky, fatty goodness. When you’re not eating or drinking, check out one of the many bands playing the music stage throughout the two-day event. Keystone Lodge & Spa by Keystone Resort is a convenient place to stay for the festival.
Oregon Chocolate Festival in Ashland, Oregon
Chocolate! It’s not just for Valentine’s Day anymore. Especially in Ashland, Oregon during the annual Oregon Chocolate Festival. The festival draws dozens of chocolatiers from all over the West Coast in a weekend of sweet celebration. Festivities include a chocolate product competition, a chocolate dessert competition, chocolate sculptures, chocolate pairing demonstrations, and many decadent surprises. Traveling in from out of town? Why not stay at the hosting venue – the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites?
Cultural Crossroads Festival in Bellevue, Washington
In today’s mad world, we need uniting festivals like the Cultural Crossroads Festival in Bellevue, Washington. For over 25 years, the Seattle suburb has been honoring our diverse nation with a three-day festival in March. Highlights of the event include both a dance and a music stage, an international bazaar, and plenty of exotic foods both savory and sweet. If you’re looking to spend the weekend, book a room at nearby Silver Cloud Inn Redmond.
Montrose Brew Fest in Glendale, California
I know what you’re thinking. Beer isn’t food. However, if I qualify it as food since technically beer is liquid bread, and, as the blog owner, I can do what I want, then I can include a beer festival. The Montrose Brew Fest held each April highlights a handful of hyperlocal breweries from the Glendale area, along with some larger craft breweries. Also included with the festival is a homebrew competition. As with all beer festivals, never drink and drive. Hotel Brandwood is both comfortable and convenient to other Glendale attractions.
Which of these food festivals do you think sounds the most interesting?
This article is part of the Hipmunk Hotels series.