Stuff to do June 2013
International Horseradish Festival
May 31 to June 2 – Woodland Park, Collinsville, Ill.
horseradishfestival.com
Horseradish isn’t the root of all evil if you know how to use it. Take notes at the annual International Horseradish Festival in Collinsville. Growing horseradish is big business in southern Illinois, and the fest celebrates this potent condiment with a root-grinding demo, a recipe contest, “root golf,” a root toss and a bloody mary contest. Past concessions have included deep-fried horseradish pickles and pot-roast horseradish sandwiches. Bring or buy water – you’ll need it.
Midtown Taste & Art Fair
June 1 and 2 – Compton Ave. to T.E. Huntleigh Ave. · 314.367.3146 midtowntaste.com
The food-centric fun at the new Midtown Taste & Art Fair includes a wine tasting by Tavern of Fine Arts, a vodka tasting by Sub Zero Vodka Bar, a whisky tasting by Gamlin Whiskey House, craft beer, concessions by area eateries, a hot-dog-eating contest by Nathan’s and a Food Truck Challenge cook-off. Look for arts and crafts, live music and kids’ activities.
Kimmswick Strawberry Festival
June 1 and 2 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kimmswick Park 636.464.7407
visitkimmswick.com
They shut down all vehicular traffic in the town of Kimmswick on the first weekend in June for a very important reason: strawberries! The annual Kimmswick Strawberry Festival means vendors will offer strawberry shortcake, chocolate-dipped strawberries, strawberry cheesecake, strawberry iced tea, jars of strawberry jam, and festival foods like kettle corn and barbecue on the city streets. Don’t miss the pony rides, live jazz, street performers and kids’ rides.
St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival
June 14 and 15 – Central Fields, Forest Park stlbrewfest.com
The sample glass you receive at events like the St. Louis Brewers Heritage Festival is generally small. That’s because, once you get going at a party like this, you need to pace yourself. You’ll find 80 styles of beer at this year’s fest from more than 20 local breweries, including 2nd Shift, 4 Hands, Augusta, Buffalo, Cathedral Square, The Civil Life, Crown Valley, Exit 6, Ferguson, Kirkwood Station, Morgan Street, O’Fallon, Perennial, Schlafly, Six Row, Square One, Trailhead and Urban Chestnut. Between sips, grab a bite from Eleven Eleven Mississippi, Harvest, LoRusso’s and Vin De Set.
St. Louis Garlic Fest
June 15 – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Carondelet Park
314.570.4945 · facebook.com/gatewaygarlicfest
Kiss the one you love with hot, fresh-garlic breath at the fourth annual St. Louis Garlic Fest from the folks at the Carondelet Garden Urban Farm and the Carondelet Business Association. The Carondelet Garden Urban Farm volunteers have been busy growing 18,000 heads of garlic in 16 varieties at gardens scattered around South City to get ready for the big day. Check out the mini famers market, a raw-garlic-eating contest, a garlic-cooking tutorial and a class that reveals why garlic does a body good. Look for edibles from Black Bear Bakery, Iron Barley, Keeton’s Double Play, I Scream Cakes, Mom’s Kettle Corn, Arthur’s Hamburgers and My Big Fat Greek Truck, and a cooking contest.
Clayton Farmers Market
Saturdays through Nov. 2 – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 8282 Forsyth Blvd. 314.913.6632
claytonfarmersmarket.com
People who live in year-round warmth have no idea the joys of seasonal farmers markets. With a sigh of relief, we welcome back the Clayton Farmers Market, where local honey, raw-milk cheeses, pastured chickens and produce await in a charming block of tents. Consider locally roasted coffee and warm, made-to-order waffles for breakfast and barbecue fresh from the smoker for lunch. Live music, kids’ activities and community service projects keep things festive.
