10 summer festivals for food lovers

Summer is a great time for food lovers.

Not only is there an abundance of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables in grocery stores, there are also a wide variety of food festivals just waiting to be explored.

Whether you are looking for a taste of the Mediterranean or something to satisfy your sweet tooth, there are events that can cater to your needs.

From Canada’s Largest Ribfest to a celebration held in the ‘Tomato Capital of Canada’, here are 10 finger-licking good festivals worth checking out this summer.

Stouffville Strawberry Festival – June 28 – 30, 2013

What sweeter way to kick off the summer than with a celebration of strawberries? Featuring events such as a Street Market and a Strawberry Social, the Stouffville Strawberry Festival, located just north of Toronto, is sure to have something to make your taste buds happy. And if you happen to pick up some fresh strawberries to take home, you can always blend them into a milkshake with some vanilla ice cream and milk. Delicious!

Shediac Lobster Festival – July 10-14, 2013

Shediac, N.B., is called the ‘Lobster Capital of the World’, so it makes sense that the town would want to properly celebrate the crustaceans. The festival is bound to leave attendees feeling stuffed, since it features not only lobster dinners, but also a daily lobster-eating contest (everyday, but the last day that is).

Sun and Salsa Festival – July 21, 2013

Whether you like your salsa mild or packed with some heat, the Calgary Sun and Salsa Festival is sure to add a little spice to your summer. Celebrating its 19^th year, the festival will be serving up more than 500 gallons of salsa, allowing attendees to sample from among 40 variations of it. While I tend to like mine with a little kick – I can also appreciate a flavourful mild.

Chocolate Fest – August 3 – 10, 2013

The Chocolate Fest in St. Stephen, N.B., may be just the ticket to satisfy your sweet tooth. The town is home to Ganong Bros. Ltd. chocolate makers and the festival boasts events like ‘Chocolate Mania’ and the ability to make your own sweet treat. If I was creating my own, I think I would make it caramel-filled.

Taste of the Danforth – August 9 – 11, 2013

Seeking a taste of the Mediterranean? Than look no further than Toronto’s Taste of the Danforth, a festival which features an abundance of tasty Greek cuisine, including mezes, souvlaki and gyros, to name a few. The festival is entering its 20th year and has attracted up to 1.3 million visitors in the past.

Perth Garlic Festival – August 10 – 11, 2013

If you’ve ever wondered how garlic is grown, you can find the answer at the Perth Garlic Festival. The event, located in the eastern Ontario town of Perth, brings together garlic lovers willing to share their knowledge and show appreciation for the ‘stinking rose.’ Personally, I love adding garlic to my homemade pasta sauce and it is wonderful in bruschetta.

Leamington Tomato Festival – August 16-18, 2013

Leamington, Ont., is known as the ‘Tomato Capital of Canada’, so it only makes sense that they would host a festival to celebrate the vegetable. Apparently the H.J. Heinz Company, of Heinz ketchup fame, used to hold picnics for their employees in the area and this sparked the idea for the festival.

Canadian National Exhibition – August 16 – September 2, 2013

The Ex, which is held at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ont., is typically associated with amusement rides and games, but also boasts plenty for foodies. With a food building in addition to food trucks, a ribfest and celebrity chefs, including Bob Blumer, Susur Lee and Chuck Hughes, there is sure to be something to satisfy everyone’s culinary tastes.

Canada’s Largest Ribfest – August 30 – September 2, 2013

Rib-lovers will rejoice at Canada’s Largest Ribfest in Burlington, Ont., where they can taste the creations of 18 ‘Ribber Teams’ competing for the prize of being named the best. The event is entering its 18^th year and attracts more than 150,000 visitors hungry to try the competitors’ finger-licking good fare.

Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival – September 12 – 15, 2013

What better place to celebrate shellfish than in Prince Edward Island? The P.E.I. International Shellfish Festival is held in Charlottetown and features oyster shucking competitions, a chowder championship, shellfish tastings and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef Michael Smith. It originally began as a one-day event, but has since transformed into a four-day celebration.

Is there a summer food festival that didn’t make the cut that you think should have? Let us know in the comment section below.