Food Festivals

[liuzhou]

There are food festivals around the world. Some have been mention in various topics, but I thought a general topic could be interesting.

 

I'll start with this annual 'Fish Festival' held here in China. They hold what they call a 'Long Table' feast mainly comprising local fish dishes. It is also accompanied by fun and games, such as a fish catching competition in a muddy paddy field. I didn't make it this year, but have been in the past. I skipped the mud!

 

Image as supplied to China Daily

 

More pictures and info here, from China Daily

 

 

Edited October 17, 2023 by liuzhou (log)

[Alex]

Michigan hosts four major food festivals and a cornucopia of minor (and amusing) ones.

 

There's the National Morel Mushroom Festival (63 years!) 

 

 

 

 

...the National Asparagus Festival (50 years) 

 

 

 

 

...the National Cherry Festival (97 years!!) -- including, of course, a pit-spitting contest

 

 

 

...and the National Blueberry Festival (60 years)

 

 

Then, of course, there's the Fungus Festival.

 

Quote

Visitors will be celebrating the world's largest mushroom, billed as the Humongous Fungus, which stretches across 37 acres, weighs 21,000 pounds and is about 1,500 years old. Many other activities will be enjoyed, including a pancake breakfast, volleyball and golf.

 

Because what would a fungus festival be without golf?

 

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by Alex
to remove a superfluous picture (log)

[pastrygirl]

As @Kerry Beal (missed you this year, Kerry) and @YetiChocolates can attest, the Northwest Chocolate Festival is a good one.  Lots of bean-to-bar chocolate makers from around the world plus some of us artisan chocolatiers gather in the fall near Seattle (it's moved to Bellevue for a few years).

 

https://www.nwchocolate.com/

[heidih]

Back in the day of our large fishing fleets the Fisherman's Fiesta was a huge deal  https://www.palosverdespulse.com/blog/2020/9/12/memories-of-the-san-pedro-fishermens-fiesta-by-marifrances-trivelli-director-los-angeles-maritime-museum

 

I have been to this Strawberry one. There are several  https://castrawberryfestival.org/  And the rather famous garlic one in Gilroy   https://festivalnexus.com/gilroy-garlic-festival/

Edited October 17, 2023 by heidih (log)

[blue_dolphin]

Scrooge here.  I really love the idea of celebrating local foods but I despise waiting in lines. I particularly don’t like waiting in lines for food and that seems to be what most food festivals are about. 
The strawberry festival that @heidihlinked to above is in my area and I used to live quite close to their previous location but I’ve never been because the crowds were awful. 
Love the topic, though. I was captivated by @gfron1's recent report of his experience as a judge at the World Champion Squirrel Cook-Off and am happy to vicariously experience any food festivals shared here.  Vicariously may be a key word when it comes to squirrel! 
 

 

Edited October 17, 2023 by blue_dolphin
To add link (log)

[heidih]

Oh they can be a zoo. My son worked security at a lobster one in San Pedro. Discovered the trash disposal guys were making double so he took those slots. OMG - the amount of trash. He had to walk the trash into the 40 yard dumpster, push it all to the rear, and create walls with broken down boxes to maximize speace. Then walk home, strip to boxers and leave smelly Tshirt & shorts in bushes . I think the amount o booze consumed creates a more patient crowd.

[Margaret Pilgrim]

If you're by chance in Paris in early December, Salon Saveurs will take care of your holiday shopping.    Fresh, frozen, dried, tinned, jarred, packaged, it's all here.     Generous samples, a crush but not long lines.    Stuff we never see here.    Cheese, charcuterie, confitures, if you can eat it, it's here.    Did I say foie gras?    Wine and cider.    All versions of preserved salmon.    Herbs and spices and condiments.