BBQ, craft beer and seafood are on the menu at area festivals this summer. Here are some of the best opportunities to eat and drink while enjoying the great outdoors in the coming months. Most of the events feature live music, crafts, cooking demonstrations or seminars as well.
Excited about another summer festival? Share in the comments.
D.C.
What: All American Beer Fest
Where: Fairgrounds
1299 Half Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
When: July 11, 12-10 p.m.
Cost: $25 general admission or $35 for VIP tickets
The Deal: Enjoy unlimited beer tastings, live music and eats from area food trucks
at the Fairgrounds. Goose Island Beer Co., Dogfish Head and Devil's
Backbone are some of the breweries represented.
What: Snallygaster 2015: DC's Monstrous Craft Beer Festival
Where: The Yards
1st St. SE and N Street SE
When: Saturday, Sept. 12, from 1 to 6
Cost: $35+
The Deal: This one gets bonus points for the most original name. Named for a mystical beast that was said to terrorize the region at the turn of the century, the craft beer festival features more than 300 beers. It's also a fundraiser for Arcadia, a nonprofit whose aim is to create a more sustainable local food system in DC.
What: Brew at the Zoo
Where: The National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave. NW
When: July 23 at 6 p.m.
Cost: $50+
The Deal: Drink alongside the animals: This fundraiser for Friends at the National Zoo features more than 70 craft breweries, plus food trucks and animal demos.
Maryland
What: The Annapolis Craft Beer & Music Festival
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis
When: Sept. 12, 12-6 p.m.
Cost: $40, $20 for designated driver ticket
The Deal: Featuring more than 120 regional and national craft beers, the Annapolis Craft Beer & Music Festival is now in its second year. Seminars on cooking with beer, live music, oysters on the half shell and arts and crafts are also part of the lineup.
What: Baltimore Seafood Festival
Where: Canton Waterfront Park
When: Sept. 19, noon to 6 p.m.
Cost: $12 to $100 for advanced VIP tickets, which includes half a dozen crabs and 15 tickets toward food items
The Deal: Now in its second year, the Baltimore Seafood Festival showcases Maryland blue crabs, local oysters and other seafood along the waterfront. There's also live music, cooking demos, games and face painting.
What: Chesapeake Crab and Beer Festival
Where: National Harbor
144 National Plaza, National Harbor
When: Aug. 22 11a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: $29 for kids up to $119 for reserved tented tables with you can eat and drink
The deal: The 6th annual Chesapeake Crab and Beer Festival features more than 50
beers and wines, live music and tables where you can crack open the crustaceans.
What: Cecil County Food and Wine Festival
Where: Northeast Community Park
When: July 18, 11a.m.-6p.m.
Cost: $10-$25
Enjoy food from local restaurants and wine from area wineries at this festival along the Northeast River. There's also local craft vendors and live jazz and swing music.
Virginia
What: Beer & Bacon Fest
Where: Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center
14900 Potomac Town Place
Woodbridge, Va.
When: Aug. 29, noon to 5 p.m.
Cost: $25-$69
The deal: Last year, VIP tickets to this festival sold out and organizers are selling 500 fewer tickets to the event year. So that means buy tickets soon for unlimited beer and wine tastings and bacon-laden dishes. There's also a Butchering 101 class and live music all day.
What: Great Tastes of Tysons Food and Wine Festival
Where: Town Square at Tysons II
8025 Galleria Drive
Tysons Corner
When: Sept. 12 noon -6 p.m.
Cost: $39-$89
The deal: Now in its second year, Treat Tastes of Tysons mixes hands-on workshops with DC chefs, craft beer tastings and outdoor grilling.
What: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Where: Lerner Town Square at Tysons II
8025 Galleria Drive
Tysons Corner
When: Sept. 19
Cost: $29-$75
The deal: Featuring 60 beers, 40 bourbons and plenty of barbeque are on hand at this event, including pulled pork, ribs, brisket and chicken. There's also live music, BBQ tips from author Paula Marcoux and other
food and drink seminars.