6 Can’t-Miss Rhode Island Food Festivals
Make no mistake, Rhode Island might be the smallest state, but it packs plenty of culinary punch. And although it often gets grouped in with the other New England states, there’s a unique flavor to the food culture in Rhode Island. Check out these six food festivals across the Ocean State to get a taste of what Rhode Island has to offer.
Eat Drink Rhode Island Festival
Providence
You can find all the best food the Providence-area has to offer at the three-day Eat Drink Rhode Island Festival in April. Watch the fascinating Sommelier Showdown as you sip along and learn from the talented wine professionals. There’s also a dinner put on entirely by local female chefs and a food truck rally that raises money for a community food bank. The festival culminates with a giant tasting at the convention center with more than 50 beer, wine and spirit samples and tons of great food to nibble on as you sip.
See more: What’s In Season? Rhode Island Produce Calendar
Local Food Fest
Newport
Combine the very freshest summer ingredients from local farmers and fishermen with the most talented chefs and mixologists in the state and you end up with Local Food Fest in Newport, one of the best food festivals in the country. Your mouth will water as you taste all the delicious dishes and quench your thirst with wine, beer, spirits, coffee, juice and soda from local producers. And it all happens to take place on the sprawling lawn of a historic Rhode Island mansion overlooking the bay and Newport Bridge, making it the go-to event of the year. Plus, the festival is a fundraiser for a local non-profit that focuses on making fresh food more accessible – reason enough to visit Newport as the summer winds down.
Ocean State Oyster Festival
Providence
The state of Rhode Island produces more than 6 million oysters for public consumption a year. Not only are they a tasty treat from the Ocean State but also an incredibly important part of state economy. And in September, the Ocean State Oyster Festival celebrates all things oyster with a shucking contest, all kinds of oyster foods, live music, culinary exhibitions and more. The festival organizers are so tuned in to the industry that they even have an oyster shell recycling program that helps rebuild reefs.
See more: Thimble Islands Initiative Expands Sustainable Aquaculture in Connecticut
Grecian Fest
Pawtucket
For more than 90 years, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Pawtucket has transformed their grounds into a Glendi (Greek Village Festival) for Grecian Fest in August, and they invite everyone to join in the fun. You will eat, dance and maybe even sing as you enjoy this jubilant celebration of Greek culture and cuisine. You might be tempted to gorge yourself on souvlaki, lamb, tiropita, spanakopita and more, but make sure you leave room to sample all the delicious homemade Greek pastries, as well as the Greek coffee, ouzo and other Greek spirits. It’s impossible to leave here hungry.
See more: Rhode Island’s Top 10 Ag Products (Infographic)
Warren Quahog Festival
Warren
Quahogs are small, hard clams that represent one of the most important aquatic exports of Rhode Island. In fact, more than 22 million of the little bivalves were harvested from Narragansett Bay in 2018. And the city of Warren celebrates this bounty at the free Warren Quahog Festival held in conjunction with the city’s art festival during the third full weekend in July each year. The local festival draws in thousands every year for delicious clam dishes, live entertainment, a vendor fair and more.
See more: Ocean Farming for Clams
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Bacon and Beer Fest
Cranston
If seafood isn’t your thing, we’ve got you covered. The Bacon and Beer Fest in Cranston combines bacon-inspired recipes from 25 area restaurants with beer pairings from 25 breweries to create a high-end food festival spotlighting these beloved culinary staples. The event also features live music and games, and festivalgoers can vote on their favorite dishes. This one sells out fast, so mark your calendar for mid-June and plan to stuff yourself with bacon and beer.