Get your calendars ready: it's festival time on the SouthCoast
The SouthCoast is a treasure trove of culture, food, and entertainment all surrounded by picturesque coastlines. The food festivals are starting out strong this summer and you don't want to miss them.
There is plenty of food to try, entertainment to enjoy, and family fun to be had. From food trucks and craft beer to Portuguese favorites and chowder, there is something for everyone. Here are some of the upcoming festivals taking place on the SouthCoast.
2023 Spring Craft Fair and Food Truck Event
Sunday, May 7: Check out over 70 vendors selling crafts, food trucks, and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Liberal Club, 20 Star St., Fall River. Free admission and the bar will be open to allow you to sip and shop. For a full list of vendors visit https://www.facebook.com/events/797223331505798?active_tab=about.
Red, White & Brew
Friday, May 19: This is a 21+ event and is for craft beer lovers to enjoy a wild night at the zoo. Ticket purchase provides you with zoo admission, your own souvenir sampling glass, unlimited beer/wine samples, animal encounters, and great live entertainment. Food will be available for purchase during the event. Tickets for general admission begin at $50, with a discounted designated driver ticket costing $25. The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Buttonwood Park Zoo, 425 Hawthorn St., New Bedford. For ticket sales and more information visit https://www.bpzoo.org/whats-new/red-white-and-brew-at-the-zoo.
16th annual Taste of SouthCoast
Sunday, May 21: The “Taste of SouthCoast” features restaurants, bakeries, and caterers from the SouthCoast area. Participants serve sample-sized portions of their signature dishes from noon to 3:15 p.m. Tasters will be able to keep track of their sampling and cast their votes in the categories of “People’s Choice Award for Food”, “People’s Choice Award for Dessert” and “Best Booth Presentation.” Once the tasting wraps up the votes are tallied and the awards are presented by 4:30 p.m. The fun continues with live music all afternoon and beer, wine, and soft drinks being served until 5 p.m. The event will be from noon to 4 p.m. at a new location Madeira Field, 50 Madeira Ave., New Bedford. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for ages 5 to 12 years old and can be bought at https://tasteofsouthcoast.com.
Fall River Food Trucks at the Gates
Thursday, June 1: Try food from over a dozen different food trucks, enjoy live music and local beer and wine. Attendance is free and tickets are not required. The event is from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Ponta Delgada Boulevard, Fall River. Additional days are July 6 and Aug. 3.
Coastal Wine Trail's annual Wine, Cheese, & Chocolate Festival
Saturday, June 17: The 10th annual Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Festival will be a joyful celebration featuring your favorite wineries and local food artisans as well as some new faces and exciting surprises. Taste over 45 different wines, while browsing through local artisans sampling a variety of cheeses, chocolates, and more. This 21+ event has three sessions: session 1 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; session 2 from 2:30 to 5 p.m.; and VIP session from 6 to 8:30 p.m. all happening at the Westport Fairgrounds, 200 Pinehill Rd., Westport. Tickets are $41 for the first two sessions which includes a logo glass along with your tasting; the $74 VIP session has live music, a $10 food truck voucher, a logo glass, a commemorative gift, and more; they also offer Designated Driver Tickets for all sessions. To get your tickets to the fun visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coastal-wine-trails-wine-cheese-chocolate-festival-2023-tickets-370559592717.
34th annual Strawberry Festival
Sunday, June 18: Fun day for the whole family with homemade strawberry shortcake, hot dogs and lemonade, crafter’s raffle, and live music. The event will be held rain or shine from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Bandstand, South Main St., Assonet. For more information visit http://www.tuesdayclubofassonet.org/strawberry-festival.html.
Mattapoisett Harbor Days
Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15: The two-day festival will feature entertainment, craft booths, an auction, raffles, food, and so much more. Friday will also include Friday Fish Fry by Oxford Creamery. Additional events include Strawberry Shortcakes on July 12, Adult Paint Night on July 13, and the Pancake Breakfast on July 16. Head on down to Shipyard Park, 12 Water St., Mattapoisett for a slew of food and fun.
Feast of The Blessed Sacrament
Thursday, Aug. 3 through Sunday, Aug. 6: Traditional Madeiran Portuguese dinner with numerous menu choices for full dinners in the main pavilion. Cook-you-own barbecue beef (carne d’espeto), sweet malassadas (fried dough) plus linguica (sausage) and baccalau (codfish) sandwiches. Also for sale are hamburgers, hot dogs, and French fries. There will be loads of family fun, free live entertainment, and the carnival will open all four days of the feast. Don’t miss out all four days are at 50 Madeira Ave, New Bedford. For updates and more visit http://feastoftheblessedsacramentcom.ning.com.
New Bedford Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Saturday, Sept. 16: Food Truck Festivals of America is bringing the 5th Annual New Bedford Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival back to Fort Taber, 1000C South Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford. It will be a day of craft beer, great food, lawn games, music, and fun for the whole family. For more information and tickets visit www.foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com/new-bedford.
New Bedford Chowderfest
Saturday, Sept. 30: The 18th Annual Blount Fine Foods New Bedford Seaport Chowder Festival will have local restaurants and caterers competing for your vote. Come sample delicious chowders and soups and cast your vote for your favorite one. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pier 3, 51 MacArthur Dr., New Bedford. Tickets and more information will be available at https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/public-infrastructure/news/event/18th-annual-new-bedford-seaport-chowder-festival.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Food festivals, food trucks, and more take over New Bedford, Fall River
