Atlanta’s place as a culinary leader in the South is cementing solid as the number of food festivals grow like kudzu. Foodies can now rise up and celebrate the growing trend of obsessive celebrations revolving around a favorite menu item or ingredient. Too much of a good thing? You be the judge.
Also, did you know Atlanta has a food festival for mac and cheese
R-Rated Swine Fest
Leave the kiddies at home on March 28; Baconfest,this over-21 homage to all things sliced-swine is 5 hours of bacon and beer, wrapped in kooky, off-kilter fun. You'll be in the wrong place if you're looking for prim-and-proper, straight-laced food reverence. Matthew Terrell, of Dad's Garage, credits the inspiration for this unique festival to the southern palate. "Bacon is something sinful we all love here in the South." Ticket options range from rationed amounts to the "Unlimited Beer & Bacon" ticket. If you really want to make it a special day out, opt for the VIP option. VIPs can congregate in a special room, "Hell," complete with its own stage and private entertainment.
Yes, Kevin Bacon has made an appearance here in the past. Yes, you will go home smelling like grease. Event details events.accessatlanta.com/baconfest
Wing, Wing
Whether you like your wings baked, breaded, fried or grilled, you'll find your style at the Wing & Rock Fest in Woodstock. This is the 10th year for the finger-licking favorite and the third largest wing festival in the country, according to Parade Magazine. Rick Dionne, owner of the hosting event production company, credits the festival's success to their singular focus and uniqueness. "We were one of the first ones to attempt an event like this. Everyone else was doing broader barbecue festivals." In a two day span, over 100,000 chicken wings will be purchased from among 21-25 restaurants and vendors. As a previous competitor, Rick shared a secret to a winning recipe. He says it has less to do with how it is cooked and more to do with the wing size and what is on it. "People like a good meaty wing."
The May 30-31 event is free to attend. Wings can be purchased from each vendor at $1 per wing. This family-friendly event will have a kids craft area, as well as fun rides and activities. Live music and a wing eating contest round out the 2-day all-chicken festivities. Event details at events.accessatlanta.com/wingfest
Family-friendly tasting with layers
Who knew onions had that much influence? In Georgia, they attract country music headliners and even the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. When you are as sweet as a Vidalia onion, you can command the presence of top Georgia chefs and draw in crowds from all over the state and Southeast. Located just a couple south of Atlanta, the 38th annual Vidalia Onion Festival, April 23-26, has cooking demonstrations and competitions all week. Saturday's lineup includes a chuckwagon cook-off, complete with period costumes and local dish tastings. $10 tickets on Sunday include viewing of the Georgia Chef Competition, and small plate sampling and signature drinks from various vendors. www.vidaliaonionfestival.com/
I scream, you scream, we all scream
If one food item has the power to unite families, it's ice cream. Kevin James, founder of the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival, envisioned an event that would bring families together around a day anchored "with good old-fashioned fun," and he succeeded.
On July 25 flock to Piedmont Park for the 5th annual Atlanta Ice Cream Festival. The majority of the ice cream is homemade, local creations from a variety of mom and pop shops, local chefs, and Atlanta's frozen favorites. Bring your pup along for the fun to enjoy Jake's Ice Cram's famous pupscream.™ Enjoy local musician performances and special activities and inflatables at the Kids Zone. www.atlantaicecreamfestival.com
About the Author
