5 Incredible Idaho Food Festivals
From cherries and beer to potatoes and wine, you can find a festival for just about anything here in Idaho. Several of the state’s food festivals have even been running for decades. So which one should you add to your road trip bucket list this year? Here are five can’t-miss Idaho food festivals.
Emmett Cherry Festival
Emmett
Idaho cherries belong to the sweet cherry family, which includes some fan favorite varieties like Rainier and Bing. To celebrate the abundance of these tart treats in the valley, residents of Emmett and Gem County have gathered together each summer for the Emmett Cherry Festival since the 1930s. It’s one of the region’s longest continually-running festivals, so you know they must be doing something right. And with events like the cherry pie eating contest and the cherry pit spit, you know it’s sure to be a winner.
Weippe Camas Festival
Weippe
Have you ever attended a festival that included a Dutch oven cook-off? If this is your first one, be sure to show up with an appetite. The Weippe Camas Festival includes everything from live theater and music to a morning run to burn off all the calories you’re destined to consume over the course of the weekend. Even if you aren’t a runner, consider signing up and enjoying the casual jog (or stroll) around the Weippe prairie to see the camas in bloom.
Mountain Brewers Beer Fest
Idaho Falls
The Mountain Brewers Beer Fest is more than an Idaho festival. This event brings together brewers and beer aficionados from all around the world to celebrate one of the most popular beverages in the country. It’s such a big deal that the governor’s office even issued a proclamation declaring the week of the festival as “Idaho Beer Week.” Featuring samples from more than 100 breweries, live music, a silent auction and an incredible list of food vendors, this event is one you won’t want to miss.
Idaho Spud Day
Shelley
We couldn’t put together a list of must-see festivals in Idaho without including the beloved Idaho Spud Day. Hosted in the small town of Shelley, just a hop, skip and a jump from Idaho Falls, this event has been bringing together residents and tourists alike to celebrate the humble potato for more than 90 years. It’s a family-friendly event, featuring everything from a children’s Tater Trot run to a potato baking competition and a potato picking contest, so be sure to bring the entire family along for this one.
Eagle Food and Wine Festival
Eagle
If you love to settle in after work with a glass of wine or you like to order new and exciting dishes off a restaurant menu, the Eagle Food and Wine Festival could be your dream come true. Each year the team that puts together this festival partners with Idaho wineries and local chefs to create a tasting event unlike any other. Their goal is to promote everything the beautiful state has to offer while benefiting local charities with a portion of the event ticket proceeds. The end result is a tasty and fun-filled event that creates a positive ripple effect within the community.