ILLINOIS: January/February - March - April - May - June - July - August - Sept - Oct - Nov/Dec

2013 ILLINOIS - AUGUST 20131
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
(see also: 2012 - 2011 - 2008)

August 8-18, 2013  Illinois State Fair - Springfield, Illinois
The annual showcase of Illinois agriculture and unique entertainment includes Inninoisans of the Day, a parade, more than 100 rides, Conservation World, Ethnic Village, Illinois Wine Experience, and horse racing on one of the fastest dirt tracks in the world. Don't miss the Butter Cow, in which 500 pounds of butter are used to sculpt a life size figure.

August 9-11, 2013 Serb Fest 2013 - Chicago, Illinois
Enjoy live music, sample bbq lamb/pig hot off the spit, indulge in homemade strudels, crepes, and donuts.  Check out kids activities and cultural tours.  Bring the entire family to enjoy a taste of Serbia.

August 14, 2013  Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation - Chicago, Illinois
Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation is the nation's premier culinary benefit, featuring top chefs and mixologists -- all of whom are coming together to donate their time, talent and passion to end childhood hunger in America.

August 14-16, 2013  4th World Congress on Diabetes and Metabolism - Chicago, Illinois
Diabetes-2013 will provide the latest technologies to treat and prevent diabetes and its related illnesses. It is one of the largest innovative diabetic technologies for researchers, clinicians and general practitioners in all fields of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism.

August 23-24, 2013  38th Annual Urbana Sweet Corn Festival - Urbana, Illinois
Each year this festival is frequented by as many as 50,000 individuals from both Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding communities in Central Illinois. This festival is also the official welcome for incoming and returning University of Illinois students. All the local Illinois sweetcorn you can eat is the main attraction of this festival! There will also be live music both nights on two different stages from both regional and national headliners. Car enthusiasts can look forward to the Motor Muster Car Show, a showcase of vintage automobiles. For children and families we have Action Inflatables, a rock climbing wall, indoor laser tag, pony rides, and a petting zoo along with all of the quality merchandise and delicious food from our vendors.
 

August 23-24, 2013  Old Capitol Blues & BBQ - Springfield, Illinois
Features 40 BBQ competitors and vendors; live Blues music, ICBC Challenge, free children's entertainment.

August 25, 2013  Peach Festival - Grafton, Illinois
Nothing pairs better than a warm, summer day and a ripe, juicy peach! The Peach Festival will feature local famers displaying their delicious local peaches as well as some of those famous Calhoun Peaches hand picked that morning and still warm from the sunshine. Come on out to the beautiful Pere Marquette Lodge and join us for an afternoon of fun, festivities and peaches. There will be live entertainment, craft vendors, tons of family friendly fun and all the ripe, juicy peaches you can eat!

August 27-29, 2013  60th Annual Farm Progress Show 2013 - Decatur, Illinois
This major agriculture event, "The Super Bowl of Agriculture", gives visitors the opportunity to see the latest equipment, seed, crop chemicals, field demonstrations, livestock handling and equine events, entertainment, and more. Farmers and ranchers from across North America and around the world visit the event to see agriculture’s latest product introductions, meet face-to-face with agribusiness professionals and gain hands-on knowledge. (also: farmprogress.com )
 

2012 ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2012
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events waiting for new dates

August 3-4, 2012  75th Annual Cobden Peach Festival - Cobden, Illinois
The festival celebrates the area's peach harvest with a parade, carnival, pageant, 5k run/walk, homemade peach desserts, and lots of fresh peaches!

August 8, 2012  Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation - Chicago, Illinois
Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation is the nation's premier culinary benefit, featuring top chefs and mixologists -- all of whom are coming together to donate their time, talent and passion to end childhood hunger in America.

August 8, 2012  31st Annual Taste of Peoria - Peoria, Illinois
Takes place on the Peoria riverfront. In addition to a variety of food samples, the event features free live entertainment on two stages.

August 9-12, 2012  Sycamore Steam Show & Threshing Bee - Sycamore, Illinois
Operational steam engines, old tractors, small utility engines, and miniature train rides are the featured attractions at the 55th annual festival.

August 9-12, 2012  Mendota Sweet Corn Festival - Mendota, Illinois
The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing for the gigantic undertaking of hosting over 60,000 visitors, who consume nearly 50 tons of sweet corn during the festival weekend. Free musical entertainment; Crafters Market Place and flea market; Queen Pageant, beer garden with live bands, grand parade and a carnival with rides and games for both adults and children, plus much more. Attendance: 60,000.

August 9-12, 2012  LIttle Italy Fest-West - Chicago, Illinois
Live entertainment, Italian food specialties from Western Suburban Italian restaurants. Beer/Wine, merchandise from Italy, children's activities, Free Parking Available.

August 9-19, 2012  Illinois Wine Experience - Springfield, Illinois
Come and taste wines from nearly 20 Illinois wineries and enjoy live entertainment. Held daily at the Illinois State Fair, the event is sponsored by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners. Illinois is consistently among the top 12 wine producing states. Attendance: 700,000
 

August 11-12, 2012  VeggieFest Chicago 2012 - Naperville, Illinois
The largest free vegetarian food festival in the country--you know you’re looking at a huge success.  We are looking forward to another great party with lots more fun, great new vendors, exciting food demos, expert speakers, wonderful children’s programs, fantastic live music and a fabulous food court. Attendance: 17,000.

August 13-15, 2012  Midwest Produce Conference & Expo - Chicago, Illinois
Midwest Produce will bring together leading produce industry buyers and sellers in a professional setting in downtown Chicago. By merging a focused conference program, networking events and retail tour with an expo of leading suppliers, this event fills a niche in the region for produce growers, shippers, regional retailers and wholesalers.

August 16-17, 2012  U.S. Apple Association Conference - Chicago, Illinois
Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference

August 24-25, 2012  Naperville Wine Festival - Naperville, Illinois
Sample from more than 250 wines from around the world. Learn about new and exciting varieties from the experts in a relaxed festival setting. Wine seminars and cooking demonstrations are conducted by event sponsors, exhibiting wineries, area chefs and restaurateurs. Enjoy food from some of the area’s finest restaurants and caterers. Local musical talent will perform live each day.

August 24-26, 2012  35th Annual DeKalb Corn Fest - DeKalb, Illinois
Over 100,000 people come to enjoy the food and listen to the music at Corn Fest each year. Over 70 tons of sweet corn are consumed each year by visitors flocking to downtown DeKalb, Illinois for this fun-filled festival. Attendance: 100,000.

August 25-26, 2012  Bash on Wabash: Sweet Corn Chicago - Chicago, Illinois
The South Loop’s premier outdoor event marks its eighth year by celebrating the cultural diversity of Chicago’s fastest growing community. The event is located in the heart of the South Loop on Wabash Avenue between 13th Street and 14th Place. Local artisans will be displaying their creations. Area restaurants, showcasing some of the most interesting cuisines in town, will be on hand for you to sample their culinary treats. Fresh roasted corn and beer and wine will be available to highlight the end of the summer season. There will be an elaborate kids’ area and a Corn Bags Tournament throughout the weekend. To top it off, revelers will enjoy a variety of live music, including some of Chicago’s hot local acts.

August 26, 2012  Zoo Brew - Brookfield, Illinois
Enjoy bears and beers, lions and lagers, aardvarks and ales— all at Brookfield Zoo’s first annual Zoo Brew!  Zoo Brew is a one-of-a-kind, 21 and over, unique beer-tasting event featuring over 40 beers.   Enjoy live music by and bid on silent auction items from our participating breweries.   Ticket prices include free parking, admission to the zoo (all day), and admission to Zoo Brew.  Attendees will also receive tickets for 20 three ounce samples, a commemorative tasting glass, and more. Zoo Brew Admission - $45 Brookfield Zoo Member - $35 (include your special promo code to receive the $10 discount) Designated Driver - $25*  no beer tastings, includes unlimited soft drinks  Attendance is limited, so don't wait and be disappointed.  Come party with the animals!

August 31-Sept 2, 2012  Nauvoo Grape Festival - Nauvoo, Illinois
Enjoy the 75th annual Grape Festival featuring traditional pageants, car shows, live music, food booths, and flea market. Held in Nauvoo State Park.
 

2011 ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2011
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events waiting for new dates

August 11-14, 2011  Taylor Street Festa Italiana - Chicago, Illinois
Live entertainment, Italian food specialties from the authentic restaurants in Chicago's Little Italy area. Beer/Wine, merchandise from Italy, children's activities, Sunday Mass. Parking Available

2008 ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2008
Food Shows and Local Food, Beer and Wine Events
events still waiting for new dates

August 10-12, 2008  11th Annual MFHA Summit - Chicago, Illinois
Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA) Next national event in 2010.

August 23, 2008  Marengo vs. Harvard Sweet Corn Throwdown - Harvard & Marengo, IL
This event was developed to encourage people to become "locavores" by using a friendly community-based cooking challenge featuring local sweet corn growers. Harvard residents are required to use Mirai sweet corn from Twin Garden Farms in Harvard and Marengo residents are required to use sweet corn from Cody's Farm Fresh Vegetables from Purdom Farms in Marengo. Contestants can enter up to three of the five categories, which include Appetizers, Main Dish, Salad/Side Dish, Baked Goods/Dessert, and Miscellaneous.