9 Can’t-Miss Tennessee Food Festivals

In Tennessee, farm-fresh food isn’t a trend – it’s a way of life. Around the state, many regions and communities roll out the red carpet to showcase Tennessee’s best crops and dishes with flavorful food festivals and events. Here are just a few of the top celebrations that make a trip to Tennessee a must for foodies.

Grainger County Tomato Festival

Rutledge

Fresh-off-the-vine tomatoes have a sweet, sunny flavor that captures the best of summertime in each bite. And at the Grainger County Tomato Festival, you’ll be able to sink your teeth into some of the best tomatoes Tennessee has to offer. Held during the last full weekend in July since 1992, the three-day event includes a Civil War encampment, crafts, activities, entertainment and food vendors. Don’t miss the famous Tomato Wars, a festival highlight in which groups can sign up to hurl ripened tomatoes at the opposing team.

See more: Why Grainger County, Tennessee, Tomatoes Are So Tasty

International Cowpea Festival and Cook-off

Charleston

Have you ever tasted a cowpea? Chances are you’ve eaten a black-eyed pea, which is one type of cowpea (others include field peas, Southern peas and more). At the International Cowpea Festival and Cook-Off, you can learn all about cowpeas – and even get your picture snapped with the cowpea mascot. This one-day event happens on the second Saturday in September. Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, history exhibits and plenty of delicious food. Professional chefs are also invited to submit their one-of-a-kind recipes featuring cowpeas.

See more: Tennessee Agriculture Both Innovative and Inspiring

Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue

Lynchburg

Who’s ready for some barbecue? At the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue, more than 100 championship barbecue teams from around the globe vie for top awards and prizes. Barbecue is serious business at this event, where you can sample some of the best grilled meats in the world. The seven competitive categories include Cook’s Choice, Chicken, Beef Brisket, Pork Shoulder, Pork Ribs, Jack Daniel’s Sauce and Dessert. During this one-day fall festival, over 3,900 pounds of meat are grilled up and served to judges and lucky attendees.

Music City Food + Wine Festival

Nashville

The city of Nashville is known for its top country music talent and thriving culinary scene. You’ll get the best of both at the Music City Food + Wine Festival that takes place in September right in the heart of Nashville’s downtown area. You’ll be able to listen in as top chefs walk through cooking demonstrations, revealing their secrets for great-tasting dishes. Then tap your foot to the beat of a live music act or two while indulging at the 60-plus vendor booths offering delicious food, wine and spirits.

See more: Music City Food + Wine Festival in Nashville Brings the Flavor

Tennessee Soybean Festival

Martin

For one week in September, crowds gather to celebrate one of the state’s top crops at the Tennessee Soybean Festival. This event-packed festival includes multiple entertainers performing on various stages, family-friendly activities and plenty of food. Come hungry to the pancake breakfast and community barbecue or pick up fresh finds from the Homegrown Farmers Market. In the past, there have also been grilling competitions like the Chicken Crazy Hog Wild BBQ Cook-Off and even a bacon-eating contest.

Unicoi County Apple Festival

Erwin

The town of Erwin transforms into party central for the Unicoi County Apple Festival, a fall favorite for more than 40 years. The two-day festival in October includes more than 350 booths with regional craft vendors and an extensive food court. Get a batch of freshly fried donuts bathed in a sweet, sticky glaze or fill up on a double-stacked steakburger. Community fun also includes a Farm Bureau Tennis Tournament, a cornhole competition and the Chamber of Commerce Cooking Contest and Apple Dumpling Contest.

See more: Shop Small With This Tennessee Gift Guide of Local Products

West Tennessee Strawberry Festival

Humboldt

Billed as the state’s largest and longest-running celebration of its kind, the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival goes all the way back to 1934. And with a theme like strawberries, it’s sure to be a sweet event every year. Held for one week in May, the festival includes everything you might expect from a big community gathering – carnival rides, parades, fun runs, entertainment, fireworks and more. Beyond festival fare, make your way to the Opera House Event Hall for the festival’s recipe contest & Taste of West Tennessee.

World’s Biggest Fish Fry

Paris

During this weeklong festival, eager visitors enjoy more than 12,500 pounds of catfish. The World’s Biggest Fish Fry, which originated back in 1938, takes place each year on the last full week of April. Each day brings more activities and food for festivalgoers to enjoy. But whatever you do, make sure to visit the Fish Tent. Along with fried fish, you can fill your plate with Southern favorites like freshly fried hushpuppies, white beans and coleslaw.

World Championship BBQ Cooking Contest

Memphis

Tennesseeans understand that good barbecue is a culinary art form. And many of the barbecue legends offer up their best at the World Championship BBQ Cooking Contest each May. Around 250 teams come from across the country (and the globe) to compete for the title of World Champion. Mouthwatering categories include Pork Ribs, Pork Shoulder and Whole Hog, in addition to Hot Wings, Sauce and “Anything But Pork.” Barbecue amateurs can even enter the Patio Porkers category. But of course, the visitors are the real winners since they get to sample all the best of barbecue hot off the grill.