Its almost summer! And that means plenty of time outdoors with friends, family, and seriously delicious street eats. Whether you prefer hanging out at the beach, the mountains, or your neighborhood park, a peaceful picnic or a late-night food truck crawl can be a great way to enjoy a summer day. Thus, in honor of short shorts and BBQ season, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite summer food festivals and street food events to help get you excited! Just remember, ‘beer before liquor, never been sicker,’ but ‘garlic fries with grilled cheese, you’ll be pleased!’
LAS VEGAS, NV
VEGAS UNCORKED, May 8-11
Everything is done-up in Vegas and Uncorked is no exception. For many, it is the most anticipated foodie event of the year, featuring an unmatched line-up of celebrity chefs – Mario Batali, Giada De Laurentiis, Guy Savoy, and more – mixologists and sommeliers. Uncorked showcases chefs’ cutting edge culinary skills, creativity, and distinctiveness throughout Las Vegas’s famed resorts. Don’t forget to rub elbows with all the high-rolling attendees.
DENVER & ASPEN, CO
ASPEN FOOD AND WINE CLASSIC – June 20-22
If you’re a foodie and socialite that prefers the Rocky Mountain air to the bright lights of Vegas, the Aspen Food and Wine Classic is the place to be – spectacular food and wine tastings, demonstrations, and talks in one of the most gorgeous and affluent mountain towns in the United States. To learn about Aspen’s culinary scene, check out their Insider’s Guide.
(photo credit: http://rohu.co/1lGGs1p)
A TASTE OF COLORADO – Aug 29- Sept 1
Head to Civic Center Park at the end of summer to celebrate all that Denver has to offer. Denver boasts a surprisingly large and ubiquitous food truck scene, so we know the street food showcased will be top-notch. Over 500,000 people make it out to try offerings from over 50 Denver area restaurants and 250 artisans and vendors. With six music stages and educational programs, there is plenty to entertain you while you between bites. Did we mention it’s free?
LOS ANGELES, CA
LA STREET FOOD FEST – June 28th
Its back! This June, the Rose Bowl will see hundreds of vendors, ranging from a band of food trucks to cocktails and ice cream. Rest assured, there will plenty of street food options sure to please any local foodies’ palate. The festival brings a sense of community to LA’s (street) food scene by acting as a platform for independent small business owners. Once inside, it is All You Can Eat, so be sure to come hungry, and look for your favorite LA food trucks, selling at stalls inside the stadium as well as parked outside of the event! Roaming Hunger will be at LASFF giving out 21+ ID wristbands. Stop by the Roaming Hunger ID booth and we’ll take you on our version of a street food tour.
(photo credit: http://rohu.co/PuQ9kl)
AUSTIN, TX
AUSTIN FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL – April 25-27
Ok, so this one isn’t quite in the summer, but we think the Texas heat will make it indistinguishable enough. A food truck, cart, and stall mecca, this city is very proud of its street food and thriving culinary scene. Be prepared for tastings, libations, hands-on grilling demos, and of course, the Rock Your Taco showdown. Austin mixes its own acclaimed gourmet scene with top chef talent from across the US for a unique sensory experience. And what’s Austin without live music? Lay out on the grass between chef demonstrations and tastings and enjoy Escort’s new-wave disco and plenty of bluegrass and rock bands.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
SF STREET FOOD FEST – Aug 15-17
Yet again, La Cocina will host the 6th Annual Street Food Festival in San Francisco’s Mission District. There are over 80 local vendors and food entrepreneurs from the Bay Area carefully crafting and perfecting their unique street food bites in preparation for this highly anticipated event. Expect button-busting selections like Deep Fried Tempura Nori from Hella Vegan Eats and other popular food pop-ups and small business from around the city.
(photo credit: http://rohu.co/1iarHjQ)
NEW ORLEANS, LA
NEW ORLEANS WINE AND FOOD EXPERIENCE – May 22- 25
With a strong food culture and background, New Orleans is quickly gaining recognition in the national and international foodie circles. The Big Easy is proud to share its excellent food, exceptional wine, and a grand ‘ole time. With over 1,000 wines, grand tasting events in the French Quarter, and seminar series, participate in the Royal Street Stroll and you will not be disappointed.
SEATTLE, WA
MOBILE FOOD RODEO presents SEATTLE’S BIG FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL – May 3- 4
Encompassing two days, two neighborhoods, and over 60 food trucks, Mobile Food Rodeo is Seattle’s premiere food truck festival. The event highlights the city’s top trucks (a heavy-handed competition), three beer gardens, a taco truck challenge, and live entertainment. The festival now offers VIF (Very Important Foodie) Express Passes to cut to the front of any food truck line over the two day period.
SEATTLE STREET FOOD FESTIVAL – Aug 8-9
Head to Capitol Hill to taste over 65 local food vendors and curbside phenomenons. If you would like to enter a vendor, or even yourself, they are still accepting applications and will announce the official vendor list July 1st.
(photo credit: http://rohu.co/1iNJk90)
COLUMBUS, OH
THE COLUMBUS FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL – Aug 15-16
It might not have the glitz and glam of Las Vegas or New York, but Columbus is home to a solid line of gourmet and comfort food trucks and is proud to present its two-day food truck extravaganza once again. Whether you’re just looking for a great way to spend the afternoon, are a foodie eager to taste the best food trucks and carts in Columbus, or a hungry music fan, with over 60 trucks, you are sure to find plenty of yummy eats and Midwest charm.
PORTLAND, OR
THE BITE OF OREGON- Aug 10-12
Oregon is a hotbed for craft beer and sustainably minded chefs, making The Bite of Oregon a very memorable and delicious summer festival. Over 50,000 attendees will head to Waterfront Park for tastes, snacks, and sips. That’s a lot of sample spoons, but the festival likes to boast, “in 2011, the Bite was able to divert over 98% of waste from landfills. [And] the goal at this year’s festival: zero-waste.”
Is there an event in your city that we missed? Drop us a line at [email protected] and tell us all about it!
-Roaming Hunger
