Idaho may not be known for international film festivals like Sundance, or road trip-experience summer music festivals like Coachella, but we do love food here. And food is always worth celebrating.
Now that summer is just around the corner, festivals of every kind will be popping up across the Northwest in celebration of various foods and libations. Here, you’ll not only be able to try the newest innovative dishes and drinks, but enjoy the activities and music that go with them as well. So if you like eating (I know I do!), here are a few events throughout the state that will let you get your taste-testing on.
This eclectic mix of wine and food is perfect for local cuisine lovers. Every year, the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission hosts an incredible wine and food event, this year to be held at the Boise Botanical Garden. The event offers the opportunity to sample award-winning wines from across the valley, taste dishes from some of the the Boise metro's best restaurants, and even try your hand (feet) at grape stomping. Umm... yes, please!
Many people come for the music at Sandpoint's annual week-long festival, but with this destination retreat's foodie reputation, you just know that the cuisine will be a knockout as well. And you honestly can't beat the waterfront view... or the fireworks!
Emmett is known for its vast (and delicious) array of orchards, and this annual festival celebrates the season's bounty with music, a carnival, and dozens of tributes to an abundant local fruit: the cherry. With pie-eating contests, a concert lineup series, and food and craft vendors galore, you won't want to miss it.
Featuring a two-day monster truck rally, a casting pond, an inflatable village, archery range, and (of course) all the fried edibles you can possibly imagine, this unique summer celebration has something for everybody.
When a festival includes a dutch oven cookoff, you know there's going to be some delicious eats in store. Even better: there's also live theater, a marathon to work off all that downhome cooking, and even live music.
Any festival that's all about gyros is a festival that I need to be a part of. But actually, this historic Wallace celebration has nothing to do with the classic Greek sandwich -- but you can bet that there will be plenty there, along with a plethora of other food to get you in the carnival spirit. Wallace is a small town that absolutely loves unique celebrations, and this festival has been going on for 75 years now. New events and marathons keep getting added every season, but one thing never changes: the annual Lead Creek Derby. Hint: It involves a giant beach ball and cash prizes.
Because Idahoans will never miss an opportunity to celebrate our favorite sweet, purple state fruit, Donnelly's Huckleberry Festival is filled to the brim with pies, cobblers, crepes, jellies, and ice cream featuring this beloved berry, all enjoyed to the background tunes of the Huckleberry Jam music festival. But definitely don't miss out on the huckleberry pancake breakfast come Sunday!
As a city that boasts a surprisingly artistic atmosphere, a unique Basque identity, and a huge food scene, Boise has plenty of events to keep you satisfied all year long no matter your style. This one-day event is Boise's biggest and newest food and craft fest, hosted at Julia Davis Park. It features tasty cuisine served up all day from a multitude of cultures, local food trucks, vendor booths, and incredible live entertainment.
Yum! Any favorites, or awesome foodie celebrations that we’ve missed?
Stay tuned as we explore even more of the Gem State’s best-loved festivals; from music and beer, to historical celebrations. And be to share in support of the local vendors who make these wonderful celebrations possible. You won’t want to miss it!
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