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.  

Wine and Food are celebrated from the Mountains to the Crystal Blue Waters.

The NYC Food Film Festival got underway this week. It is a great event that brings the foods that are in the films being screened to the mouths of the attendees. Some screenings are sold out but there is still plenty to enjoy. Get your tickets at the door or learn more at, http://www.nycfoodfilmfestival.com/about.html

Kapalua, HI kicks off its annual Food and Wine Fest this week. This is a wonderful wine event that pairs cheeses, and regional cuisine with some of the country’s best wines. A four-day festival pass is $699.00. If you are on Maui looking for a unique Hawaiian experience this is it. Learn more at, http://www.kapalua.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137&Itemid=897/

The Telluride Wine Festival promises a great event in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The weekend will include food and wine events throughout Telluride and will feature Iron Chef Cat Cora. The casual attitude that is Telluride will present 2 nights of great music in Town Park. Not many wine festivals have a live musical line up. We applaud Telluride for this, as we love nothing better than to dine and dance. Get more information at, http://www.telluridewinefestival.com/

The Long Island Wine and Food Festival has its inaugural event this week on the North Fork of Long Island. You will get to experience the products from the local wine regions and chefs and restaurants. Learn more at, http://www.longislandwineandfoodfestival.com/

The Cleveland Wine Festival is also this weekend showcasing more than 200 wines from around the world. Wine seminars and cooking demonstrations are conducted by exhibiting wineries and local area chefs and restaurants. Check it out at, http://www.clevelandwinefestival.com/index.html

The taste of Chicago is so big it runs for a whole week. With celebrity chefs, Giada de Laurentis and Mario Batali joining many others and an incredible music line up including, Rob Thomas, Mat Kearney, Los Lobos and many others. This is a festival worth catching everyday of the week. As a matter of fact maybe we should skip the Fancy Food Show in New York and road trip it to Chicago! Check out the schedule at, http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/taste_of_chicago.html

Speaking of Fancy Food Show. The Javits center in New York host the annual summer show beginning on the 27^th. This show is for the trade and we will be there (unless we can get a majority vote to hit the road west to Chicago). The show attracts producers from all over the world and we go twice annually to help source great items to include in our 3goodeggs.com offerings.

The Great American Food and Music Festival takes place in Foxborough, MA on Saturday. This is an event we hate to miss because our favorite wine critic, Gary Vaynerchuck will be presenting Wine Library Classes. There are a lot of other activities packed into this one-day event so check out the schedule here, http://www.greatamericanfoodandmusicfest.com/index.html

Saturday is also the date for the Slow Food Orange County Annual Barbeque in Bommer Canyon, Irvine, CA. Not to miss is the docent guided short loop hike through the canyon. It’s historical significance as a cattle camp creates a backdrop to the importance of the preservation of plants and wildlife that thrive in the area. Learn more at, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/112350

The Grand Festival of Pinot Days takes place on Sunday at San Francisco’s Fort Mason. This is an incredible event focused on the Pinot Noir grape’s production of wines. See the full remaining schedule at http://www.pinotdays.com/

Some local festivals to note: Strawberry Festivals are being held in London, OH, Long Grove, IL and South Berwick, ME. The websites are, http://www.londonstrawberryfestival.com/ http://www.longgroveonline.com/strawberry.html and http://southberwickstrawberryfestival.com/default.aspx

Watermelon Festivals are being held in Luling, TX, DeRidder, LA and Chipley, FL. Learn more at, http://www.watermelonthump.com/, http://www.beauregardwatermelonfestival.com/index.html and http://www.panhandlewatermelonfestival.com/

In Emerson, AR you must check out the PurpleHull Pea Festival. http://www.purplehull.com/

These local festivals are important as they celebrate the harvest of what so many in our communities do to provide sustainable communities through agriculture. Get out and celebrate the fruits of their labors.

One last thing we ask you to do. Please go to http://taste.strength.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TOTN_homepage and learn more about Share Our Strength’s mission. This is such an important cause and daunting task, to end childhood hunger in the US by 2015. If you are not able to attend one of the many events this group produces to raise funds and awareness, you are able to make donations online. If we create a partnership of growers, producers and consumers we can achieve this goal,

Have a great weekend and look for us at the Fancy Food Show or Taste of Chicago. We’re still awaiting the results of the three secret ballots

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.
 

Barbecue Weekend Is Here! Happy Memorial Day

This is the weekend to remember those that we have lost. Especially those who serve us so bravely in the military. Take time to raise a toast to all who have served us in their special way. This weekend across the country many of us will be enjoying the delicious foods created on an open fire.

Thursday begins the Kodiak Crab Festival in Kodiak Alaska. This local event features regional foods. Yes all the beautiful seafood from the Northern Pacific too. It is a quaint event that welcomes spring. It is a rich tradition that entertains the whole family with a midway of rides and games as well as music. Nothing brings a thaw more than good food and dancing. This event runs from May 27 through May 31.

In Shreveport, LA the Mudbug Madness kicks off. This is sure to be another great dance and food event. After all how can you sit still to zydeco music? This festival features crawfish and of course the southern Louisiana attitude ‘Laissez, les bon temps roulez.’ With great music and a goofy fun Crawfish Eating Contest this is sure to be a two-steppin’ good time. It takes place May 27 through May 30.

The St Louis Ribs America Festival starts Friday May 28^th  and runs through Monday the 31^st. This event features barbecue aficionados competing for the blue ribbon. We attendees get the benefit of tasting all the great barbecue styles from around the country. The topper to all the good eats is the musical entertainment including Bret Michaels headlining on Saturday night. Ain’t nothing better than dancing with a sloppy rib in your hand and a barbecue slathered mouth. You can access more information at www.Ribamerica.com.

Another great barbecue event is Marc’s Great American Rib Cook-off in Cleveland Ohio. The barbecue contests draw aficionados from Texas to Toronto. Famous Dave’s from Minnesota is the reigning champ and will be there to defend their title. We really like Famous Dave’s ribs with their spicy sauce. When we head out of Minneapolis we will find a Famous Dave’s to get one last taste of these finger lickin’ delights. As any good Memorial Day barbecue event this one entertains with more than a dozen bands to keep you swinging those hips. The Cook-off begins Friday and runs through Monday. For more information check out their website, http://www.cleveland.com/rib/

The World’s Largest Brat Festival in Madison, WI kicks off Friday and continues through Monday. This festival has raised close to one million dollars for local charities. It is about enjoying that Upper Midwest sausage and giving back to the community. Get there, eat brats and help them top the million dollar mark. It happens at Willow Island – Alliant Energy Center.

Fruit has become a balancing ingredient in many barbecue sauces. The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival will showcase strawberry confections as well as several contests for the whole family. This year’s theme is ‘Celebrating the Magic of Music’ You can learn more about the festival at, www.strawberryfestival.org/index.html

Finish your Memorial Weekend at the Bklyn Yard, 400 Carroll St. in Brooklyn, NY. Parked: Gowanus Food Truck Festival brings the best food trucks of New York City to showcase their offerings. What a great way to get the best street food without trying to get all over the city for your favorites. This is part of the celebration of the re-opening of BKLYN YARD, an event space along the Gowanus canal. You can access more information at www.meanredproductions.com/1582

There are many other food events around the country focused on barbecue and celebrating the dawning of summer. If you know something we should note and especially get to taste, please comment, so we all can satisfy our hunger for regional foods.