Here in the good ol’ USA, we like to eat. I’m not just talking about tiny tasting platters — I’m talking about ridiculously large portions of delicious foods that are fried, baked or anywhere in between. Food is a way to bring people together; food creates community that can be united by a love for good eats despite various other differences. So, what better way to share the love than large, over the top food festivals? Here are some bucket-list worthy festivals along the East Coast that you need to check out:
1. The World Chicken Festival
What is this picture, you ask? Oh, only the world’s largest stainless steel cooking skillet. Over 10 feet wide and weighing in at a whopping 700 pounds, this skillet is able to fry 600 pieces of fried chicken at a time! This impressive skillet is one of the main attractions of the World Chicken Festival, which is held annually during the last weekend of September in London, Kentucky — home of fast food chain KFC’s Colonel Sanders. Chicken lovers from across the globe flock (hehe, get it?) to this festival for the parade, the various carnival attractions, live music and all the fried chicken (around 7,000 pieces total) and southern fixings you could imagine. It’s a must see and eat.
2. Picklesburgh
Say what?! Yep, there is a festival dedicated entirely to all things pickle-related held annually in late July. The festival is located on the scenic Roberto Clemente Bridge and in the streets of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The famous condiment and pickled food company H.J. Heinz has called Pittsburgh home since the 1800s. Your time will be occupied by eating traditional or wacky dishes like pickle-flavored ice cream and dill flavored popcorn, but don’t forget to try one of their many famous games like the pickle juice drinking contest or get a photo with the famous Heinz pickle balloon!
3.) The Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival
Sponsored by The Food Network on sunny South Beach in Miami, Florida, this is a huge festival that celebrates fine spirits and cuisine. The “SOBEWFF,” (their acronym,) is held annually in February over 5 days. The events are filled with celebrity chefs, world renowned winemakers and exciting nightlife. The festival is additionally run by Florida International University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, giving their students valuable experience. Over 60,000 people worldwide attend annually and the numbers are quickly rising — even Spanish royalty has enjoyed a nice dish or two on this beautiful Florida beach!
4.) Milford Pumpkin Festival
Those are some big pumpkins. Actually, they are probably on their way to be weighed at the Milford Pumpkin Festival in Milford, New Hampshire, where the largest winners in the past have easily exceeded 1,300 pounds! Held every year during Columbus Day weekend in early October, ‘pumpkin people’ can come together for various pumpkin-oriented foods, haunted attractions, craft fairs and parades. Don’t forget to check out the firework display and the largest pumpkin competition, which they are world-famous for.
5.) Chesapeake Crab and Beer Festival
I know it would be a crime for me to not include Maryland on this list, seeing as I go to UMD and I KNOW how much this state loves their Chesapeake Bay crabs. This festival is held annually in August at the National Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, and is full of music, games, local brews and over 65,000 crabs for you to feast upon! Don’t worry, there is plenty of Old Bay available for seasoning and all the state pride you could ask for. Make sure you go and get crackin’!
Want more? Good news, there are dozens across the entire country that you should check out: