Food is worth celebrating over - especially here in Washington. We're lucky to have fresh ingredients everywhere, whether it's our locally caught seafood or the freshly grown produce. And now that summer's just around the corner, we'll have festivals going on all over the Pacific Northwest where you'll be able to try all kinds of unique dishes. If you love finding a new bite to eat (like I do), here are some of the events throughout the state to mark on your 2016 calendar.
1. Taste of Tacoma
Free to attend, the Taste of Tacoma is held every June in Point Defiance Park. They showcase 30 restaurant booths, live music on five stages, and plenty to drink at the local beer & wine gardens. More info: EQC Taste of Tacoma, June 24-26, 2016
2. Bite of Seattle
The Bite of Seattle has a little something for everyone. In July, they'll be featuring 80 local restaurants, along with eight stages and entertainment for all ages. Stop by to sample new foods, pick up a great lunch, or eat 'til you can't handle another bite in one of their many competitions.More info: Bite of Seattle, July 15-17, 2016
3. Pig Out In The Park, Spokane
Hopefully you have a big appetite - this six-day-long event at Riverfront Park has 45 food booths serving over 200+ incredible menu items to check out. You'll be able to try all kinds of foods you didn't even know existed, and deep-fried everything - from Snickers bars to lasagna. Yum.
More info: Pig Out In The Park, August 31-September 5, 2016
4. Bellevue Strawberry Festival
Bellevue's Strawberry Festival marks an old tradition when farming the sweet fruit was one of the area's most famous activities. On the fourth weekend in June, stop by the community-wide event for some delectable shortcake and chocolate-covered strawberries, an auto show, contests and more. It's been held in several different places around the city, but the most recent is in Crossroads Park. More info: Bellevue Strawberry Festival, June 25-26, 2016
5. National Lentil Festival, Pullman
The southeast area of Washington is actually known to produce some of the highest-quality lentils. Pullman celebrates the delicious legumes every August, with a two-day event the whole family can enjoy. Don't miss out on their Legendary Lentil Cook-Off, live music, arts & crafts, and of course, the complementary bowl of chili from their colossal 350-gallon bowl (pictured above) on Friday the 19th. More info: Lentil Festival, August 19-20, 2016
6. Pacific Northwest Mushroom Festival, Lacey
On the last weekend of July, this festival celebrates our locally-grown shrooms at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey. Aside from the delicious, unique foods to try (like these bacon wrapped bites, or world famous mushroom ice cream), the event also features speakers, mushroom tastes, demos and a fabulous Wine & Beer Tent. More info: Pacific Northwest Mushroom Festival, July 30-31, 2016
7. Oysterfest, Shelton
Washington's official seafood festival, Oysterfest is held every October in the small town of Shelton. In addition to hosting the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championships, they serve fantastic oysters, microbrews, spring rolls, garlic shrimp and other fresh foods from local waters.More info: Oysterfest, October 1-2, 2016
8. A Taste of Edmonds
A Taste of Edmonds runs for three days long during the summer north of Seattle. You'll be able to choose from 30 different vendors for lunch, rock out to music across multiple stages, and browse through booths featuring quirky arts & crafts. They have beer & wine gardens for the adults, as well as an area with inflatable fun and pony rides for the little ones. More info: A Taste of Edmonds, August 12-14, 2016
9. Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, Port Angeles
The Dungeness Crab & Seafood festival is held every October - rain or shine - on Port Angeles' beautiful waterfront pier. Free to attend, the event celebrates the world-famous Dungeness Crab with 14 regional restaurants, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, a Chowder Cook-Off, Grab-a-Crab Derby, local wine and beer, a raw shellfish bar, craft vendors and live music.More info: Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, October 7-9, 2016
10. Seattle Street Food Festival
As a city with a huge food scene, Seattle has plenty of events to keep you satisfied all year long. This two-day fair is the largest independent food and craft fest, hosted on South Lake Union (previously Capitol Hill). It's free to attend, and features local food trucks, pop-ups, specialty foods, and a local craft beer garden. More info: Seattle Street Food Festival, August 20-21, 2016
11. Shrimpfest, Brinnon
On Memorial Day weekend, Shrimpfest celebrates the season of Hood Canal Spot Shrimp with several food booths, craft vendors, live music and more. It's held on a field right beside the canal, so you'll be able to catch fabulous vistas of the water and the Olympic mountains. There's even beach access if you're looking for a nice, relaxing spot to sit and savor your lunch. More info: Shrimpfest, May 28-29, 2016
12. Wenatchee Taste of the Harvest Festival
During the fall, you can celebrate our valley's wonderful harvesting season at this one-day event in downtown Wenatchee. It's packed with fresh food to eat, live music, wine and beer gardens, art booths, and the local farmers' markets. More info: Taste of the Harvest, September 17, 2016
13. Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival
Gig Harbor's popular food and wine festival will be back again this year on the waterfront. They'll be hosting a lovely Summer Sip & Stroll, along with 60+ vendors serving quality food, beer and wines.
More info: Gig Harbor Food & Wine Festival, July 21-23, 2016
14. Kirkland Uncorked
Kirkland Uncorked is a paradise for wine & food lovers during the summer. The three-day event features an eclectic mix of foods to pair with award-winning local wine varieties. Situated out on the waterfront, you'll be able to kick back and relax to some of the most stunning views of Lake Washington to top it all off. More info: Kirkland Uncorked, July 15-17, 2016
Have you been to any of these food festivals in Washington before? Would you like to go to any of them this year?
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