Summer Food Festivals

Annual Pickle Festival

July 18-20/St. JOE, INAttracting visitors locally & from across the U.S. there will be all things pickles for for the various events scheduled. Take part in the Pickle Derby, a pickle factory tour,, pickle-eating contest and pickle juice contest. Decorate pickles for the Pickle People contest, get your face painted, register for the Big Dill Volleyball tournament and more.

Eat your fill of Pickle Ice Cream while listening to the live entertainment or touring the art and photo show. Don’t miss the 14th annual car show on the final day from 4-8 p.m.You won’t go away hungry as there will be plenty of food vendors present. There will be train rides all three days and FREE activities for the kids. As the organizors describe, this festival is a “Big Dill!!”

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit https://www. stjoeindiana.org/pickle-festival.

Picklesburgh

July 18-21/PITTSBURGH, PA - In case you missed it - Picklesburgh has been expanded to four days (July 18-21) for the first time ever! But that’s not the only big news making a briny splash at this year’s festival.

The inaugural Olympickle Games were announced this week. Hosted by Rachael and John from the YaJagoff! Podcast, the ‘Olympickles’ are set to kick off Friday in

Market Square and feature the return of the crowd-favorite Pickle Juice Drinking Contest, along with two new events: Pickle Eating and Bobbing for Pickles. Dozens of dare dillvils will partake in incredible feats of pickled prowess for a shot at a $500 grand prize, a life-like pickle trophy, and a ‘regal’ title. Registration is now open for the Pickle Juice Drinking, Pickle Eating and Bobbing for Pickles contests! For more information, visit https://www.picklesburgh.com.

Hotdog Festival

Aug. 3/KANSAS CITY MO - We’re GRILLIN’ & GROOVIN’ again at the 2024 Heart of America Hotdog Festival, presented by Hy-Vee, 3 -11 p.m., in the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. The event features live entertainment, your favorite ballpark foods, local food trucks and more. Created by the NLBM in 2013, the Hotdog Festival celebrates the historical connection between our national pastime and the All-America hotdog! Proceeds benefit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM). Don’t miss a sizzling musical lineup featuring live band concert performances by: STOKELY, MIDNIGHT STAR, JONATHAN BUTLER, DAZZ BAND, BROWNSTONE and more! Festival gates open at 3 p.m. with performances beginning at 3:30 pm. www.nlbm.com/ heart-of-america-hot-dog-festival.

The National Blueberry Festival

Aug. 8-11/SOUTH HAVEN, MI - Held on the second weekend of August each year, and is one of the country’s oldest continuously-running

fruit festivals! We’re proud of South Haven’s tremendous blueberry crop, and the important industry it represents in our area. Van Buren County is the Nation’s most prolific producer of highbush blueberries, and Michigan as a whole produces upward of 100 million pounds each year. Growers, packers, u-picks, specialty equipment, agritourism, cottage industry and more convene right here in Southwest Michigan, and it’s all thanks to the delicious and healthy king of fruits- the almighty blueberry!

It’s about family traditions. It’s about gratitude and pride in our community. It’s about blueberries. The Mission is to recognize, appreciate and celebrate the cultural and economic significance of blueberries, blueberry production and agritourism in the Southwest Michigan region by holding an annual National Blueberry Festival. To promote the education and future of agriculture in Southwest Michigan.

Watermelon Festival

August 8-10/HOPE, AR -

With this year’s them as “Homegrown Happiness,” the event will feature various activities including arts & crafts, food, entertainment and other family-oriented activities. Local civic clubs hold dinners featuring such downhome fare as smokey pulled pork and golden fried catfish.You can participate in a 5k race, participate in Watermelon Olympics, enter the “Watermelon Idol” talent contest, browse the car show, and have a blast in the Kidz Zone. Country artist Rodney Atkins will perform on stage Aug. 10 and tickets are now on sale. Visit https://www.hopewatermelonfest.com/for more information.

Ligonier Marshmallow Festival

Aug. 30 - Sept. 2/LIGONIER, IN - Please join in the festivities as the 33rd annual event will bring lots of food, fun, and entertainment for all who attend during the Labor Day weekend. Be sure to stop by the merchant booths open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. This year’s grand parade theme has been named “Marshmallow Blast Off” and is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Sept. 2. Midway rides will be provided by BAJA. Advance tickets for them are now available. Kides activities, a marshmallow roast, and fireworks at Kenney Park are the special highlights for Friday. Don’t miss the car show, marshmallow games, pedal tractor pull for the kids and midway rides. Enjoy free city parking, a spectacular free fireworks show, and free entertainment. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ LigonierMarshmallowFestival.

The Marion Popcorn Festival

Sept. 5-7/MARION

OH One of Ohio’s premier festival events, this festival is named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Assoc. Held each year the weekend following Labor Day, this year’s schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. The Main Stage at the 43rd Annual Marion Popcorn will again feature three nights of free live entertainment, including a tribute to a legendary singer/songwriter Thursday evening, one of the Fresh faces of Country on Friday, and closing out Saturday with some Southern Rock tour warriors from Georgia It is the largest popcorn festival in the world annually attracting crowds in excess of 250,000. https://www.popcornfestival.com/

For more food-related events, check back on our new website at https://seasonaleatings.com.