Spring is the perfect time to start rolling your windows down, drinking slushies, eating on patios, but best of all... springtime is the best time for festivals! I did some research to scope out some awesome festivals all over the United States. I have the scoop on food festivals, wine, art, film, nature festivals and more. You are bound to find a festival right for you and may be inspired to check out festivals in your own city!
Texas Folklife Festival
When: June 8-10
Where: San Antonio, Texas
What: Texas Folklife Festival is the biggest cultural event in Texas! If you happen upon this festival you will be immersed in 250 organizations and individuals representing around 40 ethnic communities. Not only that, but there are six stages with music and entertainment, 60 skilled artisans demonstrating their craft and skills and you can gorge yourself on over 100 authentic ethnic foods! OH MY. Stick a fork in me and call me done! Sign me up because this festival sounds amazing. As my suggester says, "It's a festival where you could be eating a Lebanese Shish-Kebab, drinking a Pakistani lassi, watching a Brazilian Capoeira team dance, and hearing the drone of Scottish bagpipes off in the distance." Now, doesn't that sound like fun? If you want to really understand and learn about Texas, the Folklife Festival is the absolute way!
Verde Valley Wine Festival
When: May 12
Where: Clarkdale, Arizona
What: Only Northern Arizona's most anticipated wine festival. If you are a wine-o, then this is your sign-o... to go to this festival! This day-long event brings together 16 of Arizona's best winemakers, along with local restaurants and food trucks. As if food and wine aren't enough to intrigue you, there will also be local artists and artisans, along with live music. Head on over to Verde Valley Wine Festival for wine and beer tasting, culinary creations and family fun!
Dogwood Trail Celebration
When: April 18 - May 1
Where: Paducah, Kentucky
What: If you have allergies, then perhaps this festival isn't for you but, if you love spring and the beauty that comes with it, pay attention! Dogwood Trail celebration is a showcase of approximately 10 miles of blooming trees throughout downtown Paducah, the Lower Town Arts District and a few residential neighborhoods. The pathway has been lit so you can enjoy the beauty day or night and it showcases dogwood, Japanese maple, red bud and weeping cherry trees. Along the way, you can also enjoy blooming garden areas and other flowering species. The Dogwood Trail Celebration is the perfection to ring in spring!
Taste of the Nation For No Kid Hungry
When: June 1 (other dates available)
Where: Los Angeles (other locations available)
What: This event highlights the world of food and drink's best of the best. If you like to eat and you like to drink, check out this culinary event. The best thing about this event is that everyone participating in this event is united under one cause: ending childhood hunger. Taste of the Nation Los Angeles will feature award winning chefs, sommeliers and mixologists from the region. They all are coming together to donate their time, talent and passion to provide you with a fantastic experience, all while working to end childhood hunger in America. During the Los Angeles event you can enjoy all this and a special performance from the X Ambassadors! Get your tickets now and remember: 100% of the proceeds go to ending childhood hunger in America.
McKee Waterlily Celebration
When: June 16
Where: Vero Beach, Florida
What: Botanical gardens are always a beautiful site, but the Mckee Botanical Garden is unlike any other. This year will be Mckee Botanical Garden's 14th Annual Waterlily Celebration! Wander the garden and enjoy over 80 different species of waterlilies and over 300 potted and 100 free-range plants. This festival is a great way to learn about waterlilies and their various species, colors and other fun facts. If you aren't into the learning aspect, it is a fantastic festival to enjoy the sites and the delicious smells that loom throughout the air and waterways. Get your camera ready for these beautiful waterlilies!
Sidewalk Art Show
When: June 2-3
Where: Taubman Museum of Art, Downtown Roanoke, VA
What: This year the Taubman Museum of Art is celebrating the 60th anniversary of their Sidewalk Art Show! This art show consists of nearly 140 artists from across the United States who gather on the streets surrounding the museum. They display and sell their original artworks and fine crafts. Artworks range from paintings to sculptures and from photography to jewelry! There's a little bit of art for everyone. What makes this art show so exciting is you can actually talk to the original artist and learn about their pieces. A new element to this year's show: Blue Ridge Beverage will be on-site selling craft beers and wins for guests to enjoy as they brose the art in the streets! Springtime, fine art and craft beer... what a better way to enjoy your day and the company of your friends!
League City Music Fest
When: May 3rd-5th
Where: League City, Texas
What: League City Music Festival is a great way to get your live music and BBQ fix. This year is the 65th Annual League City Music Festival so the music lineup is bound to be stacked! A few included are Bag of DOnuts, Mike & the Moonpies and Maddie & Tae! Along with the live music, you can enjoy a Bar-B-Q cook-off, carnival and arts and craft vendors.
Mendocino Film Festival
When: June 1-3
Where: Mendocino, California
What: First. A little bit about Mendocino: Mendocino is a beautiful picturesque town on the coast of California. It is a top travel destination for bay area residents and has a well-known historical charm. Mendocino is the only coastal California town known to be a designated historical landmark. Due to all of this, Mendocino has been featured in Murder She Wrote, Overboard and The Russians Are Coming. Let's just stop right there and head on to Mendocino right away! Second. This season Mendocino will welcome back Claudia Puig, president of the LA Film Critics Association, as the program director. Throughout the festival's three days, they will screen 40 film programs, including nine films from Sundance and two from SXSW. Several of the films will also feature Q&As with the filmmakers! How cool, right?!
New Orlean's Food and Wine Experience
When: May 23-27
Where: New Orleans
What: You are in for quite the...experience with this food and wine festival. When you visit this festival in the Big Easy, you better wear your elastic pants and be prepared to eat, drink and have a good time! This year the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience is expecting over 7,000 food, drink, art and music connoisseurs. As stated on the website, "each year, hundreds of wineries and restaurants participate. Menus feature local flavor and innovative new creations inspired by diverse cuisines." While the experience is fulfilling (literally) and exciting, they also strive to raise money for local non-profit organizations! So, sign up now and purchase your ticket to flavor town 😉
Festival of the Bluegrass
When: June 7 - 10
Where: Lexington, Kentucky
What: Are you a fan of music from the good ol' American roots? The 44th Annual Festival of the Bluegrass occurs in the heart of the Bluegrass region in Kentucky. It will feature performances from top artists, including Bent Valley Boys and Hammertowne. While grooving along to the music, you can also enjoy music workshops and interactive workshops for kids. If you are really feeling the vibes, you and your friends or family can camp at the festival! Enjoy the tunes and stay a while.
These festivals span all across the states and will have you saying yehaw and oh my. They include fantastic artists, filmmakers, musicians, mixologists and more. Spring is just beginning and so are the experiences. Get out and enjoy the weather!
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