March 3rd, 2009 
Now that it is starting to warm up, the food and outdoor festivals will start to get underway. While Atlanta certainly has its fare share of food and outdoor festivals of all kinds, there are others that may be worth the drive. I’ve listed several upcoming food festivals that are taking place during the month of March.
Charleston Food and Wine Festival, March 5 – 8, Charleston, SC
Attendees have the chance to sample southern cuisine while getting to attend events hosted by celebrity chefs, authors and wine experts. Tickets to the main event, which is sampling food at various tent stations, are $45 and on Saturdays you are given a time slot Morning is 10 – 1 and afternoon is 2 to 5.
Events have names like Brewmasters’ Beer Dinner to Lowcountry Gospel Brunch So, you can pay 1 admission price for the main event, go to only special events with small audiences or do a combination of both. I checked out some of the food and wine events and they range from $35 to $750 for a special dinner at a private residence.
Some famous personalities that will be there are, Bobby Flay, and from Atlanta:
- Scott Peacock of Watershed, Decatur, GA
- Gerry Klaskala, Aria, Atlanta, GA
- Kevin Rathbun, Rathbun’s, Atlanta, GA
- Linton Hopkins, Restaurant Eugene, Atlanta, GA
- Hugh Acheson, Five and Ten, Athens, GA
Taste of the Beach, March 5-8, Outer Banks, NC
This looks to be somewhat similar to the Charleston Food and Wine event, however, it doesn’t look like this event has different tents or a central gathering point. It seems that various events are held at different restaurants.
Also, the celebrity list is much smaller. I didn’t recognize any names and there weren’t any chefs from Atlanta. Prices range from about $20 to $75. The one event that caught my eye was the “Cooking with Penguins” At this event, learn:
- How to identify healthy, safe shellfish
- When and Where to buy shellfish
- How to distinguish oysters from different waters along the East Coast
- How to identify the gender of shellfish
- How to cut, cook, pair side dishes and present shellfish
For more information click here.
Lions Seafood and Music Festival, March 13-15, St. Augustine, FL
This is an event that you take the kiddies to. They’ve got lots of rides and crafts suitable for kids. Although this is called a Seafood and Music festival, after looking at the website, food seems like a small portion of the events that go on. Admission is $2 per person and kids are free.
Blessing of the Fleet, March 27 – 29, Darien, GA
Again, this looks like one of those events that food does not play a major role in. This is also another good one to take the kiddies to. There’s a Kids’ Fishing Rodeo (whatever that is) and a classic car show, and a fireworks show at night. Admission is free on Sunday, don’t know what the price is on Friday or Saturday as it wasn’t listed on the website that I could see.
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