What's better than a good festival? Here are 7 festivals in the U.S. that should be on your "must do" list!
Yay Flowers!
I found a number of different celebrations in honor of the sunflower in the Garden State - New Jersey. While the timing depends upon the growing season, it's sure to go off regardless. Held at Hill Creek Farms, you can pick your own sunflowers and other produce! Besides sunflowers and produce, there’s festival fare (think funnel cakes!), wine tastings for adults, face painting for kids and train rides for the family!
Do Fungus Right!
Held the first weekend after Labor Day every year, this festival celebrates all things mushrooms! Located in Kennett Square, it’s under a 50 minute drive from Philadelphia. The cool thing is that rather than being held on a fairground, the festival actually takes place on the town’s streets! There are rides, parades and even a “Cute-as-a-button (mushroom)” baby photo contest!
Can’t Get to Munich for Oktoberfest? Then head to... Ohio?
What’s could possibly be better that knocking back a cold brew while watching adorable dachshunds run around? Absolutely nothing! Among other events, Cincinnati’s Octoberfest holds a Running of the Wieners race, where dachshunds race in hot dog bun costumes for the title of winning wiener! In addition to this awesomely wacky contest, this largest Octoberfest in the US holds its own versions of sporting events including a Beer Stein Race and a Beer Barrel Roll! For 2019, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati will happen September 20-22! Prost!
Cheesy Festivals
This fest is held at different times throughout the year, which means you have the potential to hit it multiple times! Started by a picky eater who would only eat mac and cheese, the celebration is also in three locations - Bakersfield California, Avila Beach California and Farminington, New Mexico. There’s also wine and beer tastings, great music and entertainment...not like it matters when you have mac and cheese!
In case you didn’t know, Vermont is a pretty awesome state for a number of reasons, but especially if you’re a cheese lover! Fun fact: Vermont has the highest number of cheese makers per capita: 50! Held at Shelburne Farms near Lake Champlain, it should be on your list for its exceptional cheese, great local foods, wines, craft beers and spirits! This year, the fest will be August 10 and 11.
What’s not to love about 5000 lbs. of cheese curds? Held annually in June in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, aka, the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin! Its website advises, “bring your stretchy pants to fully enjoy the wide variety of creative cheese curd dishes, fresh hand-battered, deep-fried cheese curds and dipping sauces, and an exclusive top-secret dessert curd that rivals the mini donut!” And, in case you’re wondering what a cheese curd is ...
Here’s one that I loved!
You may not think of New Jersey as a hot air balloon mecca, but it’s actually the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America! Each July, there are mass ascensions (when all the balloons take off at once) of up to 100 hot air balloons (including an Elvis one!), as well as festival foods to try! Here's my photo post of my visit!
