Happy Fourth of July!

This weekend we celebrate our country’s independence in a variety of ways with most including a fantastic fireworks display. One of our favorite displays is at Harriett Island in St Paul, MN.  The Taste of Minnesota has upped the ante this year with nearly 50 food purveyors, chef demonstrations and a great musical line-up. Headliners include P.O.S.. Atmosphere, Sammy Hagar and Counting Crows. If you should decide to leave the event on Harriett to view the fireworks from the East Bank of the mighty Mississippi, look for the Chef Shack trailer. They serve the most addictive Curry Mini Donuts.  For festival tickets and information, http://tasteofmn.com/index.html

Naperville, IL.’s Knoch Park will play host to RibFest. Of course there is a barbecue competition that benefits all barbecue lovers. Lee Ann Rimes will headline on July 3^rd as part of a line-up that includes Sammy Hagar, Sister Hazel, Tonic and The Giving Tree Band. The event proceeds are used to help eliminate child abuse and violence. Learn more at, http://www.ribfest.net/

Another barbecue festival is hosted in Lake Placid, NY. I love Barbecue Junior World Championship. This event in its second year is full of fun and creative cooking challenges for youth ages 16-21 years old. This competition is fun, creative and shows how passionate young people can be about cooking. Find out more at, http://www.ilbbqf.com/

Mandeville Seafood Festival has gotten underway in Fountainebleau State Park. This celebration of Louisiana Seafood is a family focused fun event to celebrate Independence Day. Get tickets at, http://www.seafoodfest.com/index.php

What better beverage to wash down the barbecue than BEER? If you want some of the best selections of crafted beers head to Seattle, WA for the Seattle International Beer Festival. The Mural Amphitheater at Seattle Center will be the venue for this festival with more than 150 beers to taste you will quickly become either drunk or an aficionado. Check it out, http://www.seattlebeerfest.com/Index2%20SIB.htm

The National Cherry Festival kicks off it weeklong celebration this week in Traverse City, MI. This is a Food and Wine Festival with plenty of family entertainment. Musical performances by Los Lonely Boys, Tommy Castro and Randy Hauser. This event focused on our favorite stone fruit is sure to please everyone. Check out the air show featuring the Blue Angels on Saturday. To see the schedule and plan your outing, http://visit.cherryfestival.org/

Head out to Floyd, VA for the Floyd Fandango Wine and Beer Fest. You can enjoy some of Virginia’s finest Appalachian wines and learn about the process of winemaking. The craft brews from the region will be sampling their tasty treats as well. Don’t be misguided; this is an event the whole family can enjoy. http://www.floydfandango.com/

In Stockton, CA you can enjoy the Taste Of San Joaquin and the Way Out West Barbecue Championship. This one-day event is held at the Weber Point Event Center in downtown Stockton. http://downtownstockton.org/stockton_events_taste_of_san_joaquin.php

Nye Beach, OR and Cedar Key, FL will be having beachside clambakes to celebrate the Fourth. Get information at http://www.nyebeach.org/ClamBake.html and http://www.cedarkey.org/clamerica/index.html

Former Nashville, TN Mayor, Bill Purcell is proud to bring the Music City Hot Chicken Festival to the Music City to celebrate the Fourth. This event will take place in East Park from noon till 5pm. http://www.musiccityhotchickenfestival.com./

What is the Fourth of July without Nathan’s International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island? This years competitors may have a better chance since Tsunami Kobayashi has announced he will not be able to compete this year. But the Tsunami never intimidated Joey Chestnut. Learn more at. http://nathansfamous.com/PageFetch/getpage.php?pgid=38

Have a great Fourth of July weekend.