2006
February 28-March 19, 2006 Houston Livestock & Rodeo Show
Houston, Texas
The
largest livestock exposition and biggest rodeo in the world. Includes
the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. Three days of cooking and
competition, luring 140,036 guests to join the feast in 2005. Judging
is serious business, and trophies are awarded to teams preparing the
best dish in each category (brisket, chicken or pork spare ribs), as
well as to an overall winner. 362 barbecue teams participated in the
2005 contest.
March 2-5, 2006 27th Annual Fulton Oysterfest
Fulton, Texas
The
first weekend in March, Oysterfest features carnival rides, games,
food, men's and women's raw oyster eating contests, live music,
decorated oyster contest, oyster shucking contest.
March 3-5, 2006 Austin Chocolate Festival
Austin, Texas
March 9-11, 2006 Retail Produce Solutions Conference
Houston, Texas
March 9-12, 2006 World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up
Sweetwater, Texas
Snake
hunts, Miss Snake Charmer, snake handling shows, fried rattlesnake
meat, Brisket & Chili Cook-off, Rattlesnake Meat Eating Contest.
March 9-12, 2006 RCA Annual Conference & Tradeshow
Houston, Texas
Research
Chefs Association - Culinology: Your Passport to Explore. Receptions,
meetings, discussions, seminars, CRC and CCs exams, tradeshow,
workshops.
March 10-11, 2006 Shoulda Been A Cowboy Association BBQ-Cookoff
Houston, Texas
March 12-14, 2006 2005 Annual Meat Conference
Dallas, Texas
The
premier educational opportunity for retailers and meat and poultry
companies seeking the latest information about trends and issues
affecting meat and poultry sales, marketing, and profitability. The
conference is cosponsored by the American Meat Institute and the Food
Marketing Institute. Product tasting, Tech Fair, tours, educational
programming.
April 1, 2006 Prairie Dog Chili Cookoff & World Championship Pickled Quail Egg Eating
Grand Prairie, Texas
April 1, 2006 11th Annual Crawfish Crawl and Festival
Clear Lake, Texas
Crawfish Crawl, Gumbo Cook-Off, Crawfish Eating Contests, entertainment.
April 6-9, 2006 Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival
Austin, Texas
Established
in 1986, the Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival is the oldest
and largest wine and food festival in the Lone Star state and is
distinctively defined by its connection to Texas culture, tradition,
flavors and hospitality. Every April we host a four day-long
celebration of food and wine throughout Austin and the scenic Hill
Country.
April 7-9, 2006 Poteet Strawberry Festival
Poteet, Texas
The
Poteet Strawberry Festival® is one of the oldest, most popular events
in the state, the Annual Poteet Strawberry Festival is recognized as
the largest agricultural festival in Texas as well as one of the most
exciting, most dynamic festivals in the Greater Southwest.
April 23-24, 2006 Expo Comida Latina (Hispanic F & B Show)
Houston, Texas
The
new expo aims to attract southwest regional buyers of Hispanic foods
and beverages. Exhibitors are producers, processors, distributors,
wholesalers and importers of Hispanic food, beverages and ingredients
from throughout the Americas. The ECL San Antonio will connect these
buyers and exhibitors effectively and reach another large Hispanic
market.
April 26-30, 2006 The Grand Wine & Food Affair
Houston, Texas
A
festival to provide knowledge, enjoyment and exposure to fine wines and
foods. Highlights the great chefs of the world and the culinary
traditions that have been enhanced by the rich ethnic diversity of our
region. Enjoy a variety of entertaining events from winemaker dinners,
an elegant grand tasting, casual sip & stroll, cooking
demonstrations, wine seminars.
May 3-7, 2006 - Dallas Wine & Food Festival
Dallas, Texas
Award-winning
wines from around the world, food tastings, informative seminars, chef
demonstrations and author book signings. Experience the latest trends
in home entertaining and dining out; rub elbows with vintners, chefs
and culinary experts.
May 6, 2006 Gumbo Cookoff & Cajun Music
Anhalt, Texas
Gumbo Cookoff, fresh boiled crawfish and shrimp from Louisiana, Cajun food, 3 Cajun bands.
May 12-14, 2006 14th Annual Taste Addison
Addison, Texas
A
tasty weekend blend of food, music and family fun. Features food from
nearly 50 of Addison’s 170+ restaurants. Non-stop musical entertainment
from country to jazz. Carnival rides, midway games, arts and crafts,
wine tasting, children’s entertainment, and more.
May 13-14, 2006 10th Annual Cajun Festival
Grand Prairie, Texas
The
food will be Cajun-style all the way, featuring traditional South
Louisiana favorites such as: spicy boiled crawfish, jambalaya, red
beans & rice, gumbo, and more.
May 19-21, 2006 33nd Annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival
Pasadena, Texas
Strawberry
Festival Parade (May 13), Largest Strawberry Shortcake, Carnival,
Bar-B-Q Cookoff, Washer Pitch Contest, Mud Volleyball Tournament, etc.
May 27-28, 2006 10th Annual Festival of Wines & Culinary Arts
Rockport, Texas
Texas
Maritime Museum's Festival of Wines and Culinary Arts has become one of
the best known and well-attended wine festivals in the Southwest, and
certainly in Texas. Wine tasting, unique beers, vendors, live music,
cooking & wine seminars, local restaurant gourmet specialties.
June 17, 2006 DairyFest
Stephenville, Texas
June 20-25, 2006 Wine Week in The Woodlands
The Woodlands, Texas
Events
will feature renowned local, regional and national chefs as well as
respected winemakers and experts from around the globe.
June 22-25, 2006 Luling Watermelon Thump
Luling, Texas
Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, Melon Eating Contests, Music, Midway, Food, Arts & Crafts, Car Show, etc.
June 25-27, 2006 Southwest Foodservice Expo
Houston, Texas
September 16-17, 2006 7th Annual Houston Hot Sauce Festival
Houston, Texas
This
sizzling festival draws over 20,000 Chiliheads to the area. Hot sauce,
salsa, spices, marinades, chips, dips, jam, jellies, pickles, peppers,
bloody mary mix, condments, gourmet food, recipes, etc.
Despite cold temperatures on the final weekend, attendance at the Feb. 3-19 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, the 57th annual, rose 4.4% to 1,153,978, topping last year's figure of 1,105,321 and establishing records on five days, according to chief operating officer Debbie Dreyfus-Schronk.
