8 Bizarre (but Delicious) U.S. Food Festivals
You’re probably familiar with pumpkin and apple festivals in the fall, wine festivals at local vineyards, or chili and barbecue cook-offs. But there are a handful of local events across the country that pay tribute to some of the lesser-recognized (yet equally delicious) foods and drinks out there. If you look hard enough, you can find some seriously unique U.S. food festivals celebrating everything from banana pudding to Marshmallow Fluff and even Spam. Curious to know what’s out there? Here are some of the most bizarre food festivals from coast to coast.
1. Gilroy Garlic Festival
Gilroy, California
Held annually at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy, California, the Gilroy Garlic Festival brings in countless visitors to feast on all manner of garlic-flavored food, enjoy live entertainment and browse curious trinkets from a variety of vendors. If you want to wander freely, you’re more than welcome. But you can also sign up for specific events, such as the Garlic Festival Golf Classic or the Farm-to-Table dinner. No matter how you choose to pay tribute to the thriving garlic harvests in California, this is one food festival for you don’t want to miss.
2. National Banana Pudding Festival
Centerville, Tennessee
Is there anything better than an entire festival dedicated to sweet and creamy banana pudding? Held annually in Centerville, Tennessee, the National Banana Pudding Festival draws thousands of people to listen to live music, participate in a national cook-off and traverse the renowned Puddin’ Path, where for just a few dollars you can sample a whopping 10 banana pudding recipes to decide which one is your favorite.
3. Pork Roll Festival
Trenton, New Jersey
Rumor has it there are some serious battles in New Jersey over which is better: the pork roll or the Taylor ham. Who knew? Trenton is the city that claims creation and ownership over this delicious meal, so it only makes sense it would be the location of the annual Pork Roll Festival in its honor. In addition to live music and food trucks ready and waiting to appease hungry appetites, you can meet the festival’s very own pork roll-themed superhero, P-Roll, in all this glory.
See more: 5 Delicious Festivals For New Jersey Foodies
4. Crystal City Spinach Festival
Crystal City, Texas
Ever been to a festival honoring spinach? An extravagant parade, a carnival, a cook-off and more await when you arrive in Crystal City, Texas for the fun-filled Spinach Festival. The festival lasts for four days, giving you more than enough time to enjoy (or participate in) the spinach eating contest, car show, 5k race and beauty pageant. Another fun fact to inspire you about this one – the first Crystal City Spinach Festival was held in 1936, more than 80 years ago.
See more: 7 Famous Foods That Come From Texas
5. Apple Scrapple Festival
Bridgeville, Delaware
When the townspeople of Bridgeville, Delaware, wanted to promote the town’s agriculture, they decided the best option would be to celebrate their rich heritage in both apples and scrapple (a dish of pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal, wheat flour and spices). And why not? Showcasing delicious food sounds like a good enough reason to throw a festival to us. More than 20,000 people attend the Apple Scrapple Festival each year to enjoy a carnival, street dancing, food and plenty of entertainment for both children and adults.
6. What the Fluff
Somerville, Massachusetts
If you’re a fan of Marshmallow Fluff, you definitely don’t want to miss this annual event. The What the Fluff festival in Somerville, Massachusetts, brings together loads of visitors to celebrate the invention of Marshmallow Fluff – or, as the hosts say, to celebrate “the sweet, sticky, tasty, magical power of Fluff.” Music, food and fun abound at this playful festival, making it an absolute must for any foodie’s bucket list.
7. Peppermint Days
Lyons, New York
It makes sense that the home to peppermint oil would host an annual Peppermint Days Festival. Each year, this event grows in size and popularity, bringing in a number of foodies and vendors. Attend this burgeoning event and you can even enjoy a parade and spectacular fireworks show. But the star of the show truly is the peppermint, so be sure to pack an appetite and plenty of room in your suitcase for souvenirs.
See more: Get a Taste of the Empire State at These 8 New York Food Festivals
8. Waikiki SPAM® JAM
Waikiki, Hawaii
Sure, you could go to a pineapple festival or a seafood festival in Hawaii. But you’ll definitely want to mark your calendar for the annual Waikiki SPAM® JAM. And you wouldn’t be alone. More than 35,000 people attend this festive event every year. Peruse the entertainment stages, pick up SPAM®-themed merchandise and, of course, sample all the delicious SPAM® recipes from creative and innovative food vendors.