The Texas Crab Festival is a mecca of all things crab. From the Gumbo Cookoff to the Crab Dish Contest, there are enough crab festivities for everyone. Take a break from feasting by enjoying a crab race, entering your pooch into the Wiener Dog Races or riding the Ferris wheel.

Blue Ridge BBQ Festival hosts a large-scale BBQ competition judged by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. But there's fun for non-competitors, too. Enjoy the delicious food and diverse entertainment. Like what you taste? Buy your favorite sauces and rubs at the Cooker Store.

At the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, restaurants showcase a mix of local favorites and creative new dishes that are paired with a host of different wines from around the world. A highlight is the Royal Street Stroll, which is a festive outdoor wine tasting that stretches along eight blocks.

The Long Grove Strawberry Festival promises three days of pure berry mania, with local merchants and vendors offering irresistible strawberry treats. Get ready to indulge in strawberry Italian sodas, strawberry doughnuts and some quirky eats, like strawberry BBQ sauce and strawberry wine.

Ribfest has all the elements of a great food festival — food, music, contests and a professional rib-eating competition with a total of $4,000 on the line. Known as RibMania, this 30-minute chow-down attracts top professional eaters. The "Best Ribs" cooking competition is also a major highlight.

The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is an enjoyable occasion for the entire family. In addition to bountiful fresh seafood and shrimp, this fun event offers an array of activities that includes parades, live music, exhibitions, a Kids Fun Zone, and the Miss Shrimp Festival pageant.

What better way to celebrate summer than to go to the Rockwood Ice Cream Festival? At least eight different dairies serve ice cream all day and compete to make the “Best Sundae on Sunday.” Browse through the dozens of local businesses that will also be in attendance.

The Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cook-Off is one of the biggest events in Arkansas. The highlight of the festival is, of course, the cook-off, where more than 4,000 rib-eye steaks are grilled. The winner walks off with the Governor’s Cup trophy and $2,000.