Ice Cream, Chicken, Pigs and Flying Pizza Dough try to compete with the Grand Daddy of Food Festivals.

If you want to get up close and personal to some of the best chefs in America you need just fork over $1,185. 00 to attend The Food and Wine Classic of Aspen. Beginning Friday morning with a program titled ‘Meet The Masters’ this event is attended by many of the up and coming culinary stars and those of us who appreciate the accomplishments of the artists creating great food and wine. You will learn about Food and Wine pairing, Wine production and of course taste some delicious foods. Any true gourmand will want to be here. Purchase tickets at, https://www.stayaspensnowmass.com/foodandwine/register

Aspen is not the only ski resort hosting a Wine and Food Classic. Stowe, Vermont hosts their own classic at the Trapp Family Lodge. Friday night’s opening Wine Tasting will take you through a comparison of Oregon and Burgundy’s wines from vintage 2005. Chef Brian Thomlinson and Owen Roe’s wines host Saturday’s Gala Dinner. Sunday is the Grand Tasting and silent auction. Learn more at, http://www.stowewine.com/

Another spectacular event is the Gettysburg Festival. This event celebrates all things art including the culinary arts. There are 11 culinary events in ten days. Don’t forget the other arts that are showcased in this grand event. You can get more information at, http://www.gettysburgfestival.org/roadblock.asp

Natick, MA celebrates the Visiting Nurses Association with ‘A Fresh Taste’. This event features local chefs and fresh ingredients paired with wines. This is a great cause and good food. You can learn a lot about paring wines. For more information, http://www.natickvna.org/content325.html

Salem, Oregon plays host to the Wine, Chocolate and More Benefit. Beginning Friday evening you are invited to enjoy decadent chocolate and wines from more than a dozen wineries. I am not sure what wines would be paired with the Mad Cupcake Love and Icing offerings but I am sure I could find a great pairing. Access more information at, http://www.winechocolateandmore.com/

Le Mars, Iowa is the Ice Cream Capital of the World and began its celebration of Ice Cream on Wednesday. We have a brother who lives here and whenever we visit we always get a few of our favorite scoops. So if you are near be sure to check out the festivities. On Saturday is the Grill and Chill Rib Rally. Barbecue and Ice Cream…is there a better combination?

In San Francisco celebrate Italy and have the pooch blessed at the North Beach Festival. The festival showcases a pizza throwing contest, Arte di Gesso (sidewalk chalk art), and the blessing of the animals. This is a great way to enjoy some of San Francisco’s best Italian foods. It is a free event on Saturday and Sunday.

Barbecue still holds the summer crowds at events in National Harbor, Maryland, Hillsborough, North Carolina and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Get the 411 at, http://www.beerandbourbon.com/national-harbor/show-info, http://www.hogdays.com/index.htm and http://www.bbqribfest.com/custom1.html

Chicken Festivals are being held in Crewe, Virginia and Dover, Delaware. More information at, http://www.virginiachickenfestival.org/ and http://www.dpichicken.org/

On Saturday Burgaw, North Carolina and Brewton, Alabama host their annual blueberry festivals. Did someone say ‘Blueberry Danish’? Yum. More info at, http://www.ncblueberryfestival.com/ and http://www.alabamablueberryfestival.com/

Have a delicious weekend. We are headed to another family campout with our eyes peeled for more local farm stands along the way.