Just about every town in America welcomes the fall season with a jubilant festival. But pumpkin picking, apple bobbing, and cider drinking aren’t necessarily on the menu at these uniquely Southern affairs.
Beignet Fest
November 16, New Orleans
When Beignet Fest founder Sherwood Collins discovered there wasn’t an official celebration to honor New Orleans’ signature sweet, he got straight to work. Nearly ten years later, the one-day celebration held in scenic City Park welcomes both well-known eateries and smaller businesses to show off their versions of the beignet, which range in flavor from bananas foster to crabmeat.
Delta Hot Tamale Festival
October 18–19, Greenville, Mississippi
There’s some debate as to whether the hot tamale originated with Native Americans, migrant workers, or Italians who made their way down the river, but the dish has certainly become a part of Mississippi Delta heritage. This three-day, music-filled celebration brings in Southern chefs and authors to share hot tamale history, host panel discussions, and of course, cook.
Broxton Chicken Livers & Gizzards Festival
November 2, Broxton, Georgia
Eleven years ago, the city of Broxton launched a celebration to shed light on the local poultry industry while standing out from Georgia’s other chicken-themed festivals. Since then, the event’s antique tractor parade has evolved into a much-anticipated pastime. Don’t worry if you’re not big on strangely named chicken parts—plenty of vendors serve up other dining options.
National Peanut Festival
November 1–10, Dothan, Alabama
At the first National Peanut Festival in 1928, the guest speaker was none other than the father of the peanut industry himself, George Washington Carver. In the decades since, traditions of a Miss Peanut pageant, a thirty-foot-tall peanut statue, live music, and an abundance of legumes have held strong in Dothan.
BBQ on the Block
October 5, St. Simons Island, Georgia
On the first Saturday evening of October, St. Simons’ Mallery Street will be lined with festival goers enjoying food trucks, barbecue, and bluegrass. While admission is free, all proceeds from event vendors, which include noted Lowcountry barbecue joints and craft distilleries, go directly to helping the local food and beverage community during emergencies.
45th Annual Bog-Off Festival
October 19, Loris, South Carolina
In 1980, a small group of Loris community members came together for a cooking contest to celebrate the town’s signature dish: chicken bog, a one-pot Lowcountry classic made with rice, chicken, sausage, and spices. Since that intimate gathering, bog cookers from across the state have convened every year to enter their best batch. This year, the town is introducing “Top Bog,” a contest for professional chefs to serve up their version using only the ingredients provided.
Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival
October 25–26, Jekyll Island, Georgia
Held in Jekyll’s National Historic Landmark District, this free, family-friendly tradition brings in local artists, live music, Friday night fireworks, and of course, fresh Georgia crustaceans. Vendors will cook up your accompanying grits the traditional way, in cake form, or with some kick.
Nashville Whiskey Festival & Battle of the Spirits
October 10–12, Nashville
Debuting the Nashville Premier Spirits Competition, this year’s whiskey fest adds a people’s choice award to the well-loved liquor tastings, hors d’oeuvres, custom barrel bottling, and educational panels. Following Friday’s competition, Saturday’s grand tasting will bring in more than seventy spirits to sample—so attendees would be wise to follow festival advice: Eat a meal, use the spit buckets, and do not pregame.
