Food Fairs and Festivals

Social gatherings that center on food have been found in almost all human cultures across time, but food festivals in the United States have become popular and taken on particular characteristics over the past century. These festivals that are devoted to the promotion, celebration, and consumption of food focus on one or more agricultural products and promote them as iconic of local areas. Because foods are often regarded as essential elements of regional culture, food festivals represent the cultural, educational, and leisure resources of an area to benefit the local economy. The festivals are social gatherings that are usually organized by municipalities, regional affiliations, or the state, but specific brands often sponsor the festivals to attract new customers, gain customer feedback, and build their loyalty. ...