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The ultimate guide to spring food and wine festivals in Alabama

Springtime is prime time for festivals celebrating Alabama food and drink. Whether it’s Middle Eastern food, Southern barbecue, or good old gumbo, you won’t leave hungry.

There are gatherings to enjoy chocolate, grits, wings, tacos, and even poke salat. Quench your thirst with margaritas, beer, wine, and mimosas. You’ll find something to tickle your tastebuds in this roundup of events in April and May.

4th Annual Deep South Rodeo and Crawfish Festival

April 5-6 in Jemison

Steer wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding competitions are supplemented by arts and crafts vendors and food trucks.

Tickets: $15, free for 3 and under. Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.

Mudbugs and Margaritas

April 6 in Foley

Set for Heritage Park, music and local beer share the bill.

Tickets are $5 plus fee; 12 and under free. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Ozark Crawdad and Music Festival

April 6 in Ozark

Set for the square downtown, the festival is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Admission is free.

St. Elias Food & Cultural Festival

April 12-13 in Birmingham

Held at St. Elias Maronite Church in Forest Park, the event includes music and dancing, a 5k race, and church tours. But the Middle Eastern food is the star, and both walk-up and takeout orders are available.

Admission is free. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

CahabaQue BBQ Cook-Off

April 13 in Birmingham

Hosted by Cahaba Brewing Company, it benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.

Tickets are $15 each, and $50 for VIP access. Open noon-4 p.m.

Annual Spring Wine Festival

April 13 in Calera

Held at Corbin Farms Winery, it is the rare festival that features grape-stomping, along with the more typical vendors, music, and food. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tickets are $27 for ages 21 and over, $8 for under 21.

Mobile Chocolate Festival

April 13 in Mobile

The benefit for Penelope House is now in its 14th year.

Tickets are $10 for above 12, $5 for ages 4-12; under 4 free. Open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Gumbo Gala

April 13 in Birmingham

The benefit for Episcopal Place is set at Ghost Train Brewing.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Hours are noon-4 p.m.

Jewish Food and Culture Fest

April 14 in Birmingham

Another celebration showcasing the Magic City’s long-established congregations, the Jewish Food and Cultural Fest bills itself as one of Birmingham’s favorite outdoor fests. Braised brisket, giant corned beef sandwiches rugelach, and matzo ball soup are just the start of the food available for purchase.

Admission is free. Open 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival

April 20 in Bessemer

Hear some of the best blues music this side of the late lamented Bessemer joint Gip’s Place. Now in its 13th year, it is barbecue scion Van Sykes thank you to the city where Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q opened in 1957.

Tickets are $25. The festival is at DeBardaleben Park, from noon to 8 p.m.

Magic City Mimosa Festival

April 20 in Birmingham

The homage to the ultimate brunch libation is set for Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark from noon to 4 p.m.

Tickets are $55, plus fee. 21 and over only ID required.

West Alabama Food and Wine Festival

April 21 in Northport

This year’s festival in downtown Northport supports West Alabama Food Bank and Turning Point nonprofits.

Tickets are $75 plus a fee in advance, and $100 plus a fee for VIP. Open from 4-7 p.m. (People with VIP tickets are admitted at 3:30).

Smoke on the Water Festival & BBQ Contest

April 27 in Florence

Benefitting Shoals Scholar Dollars, it will be held at McFarland Park.

Admission is $5 per person; $20 maximum for families. Vote for your favorite barbecue for $5. Open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Taps and Tunes Brewfest

April 27 in Albertville

Set downtown at the farmers market parking lot, look for music, beer — and team dodgeball.

General admission tickets, available online, are $35 plus fee. Open from 4-8 p.m.

Kymulga Grits Fest

April 27 in Childersburg

Shrimp and grits are the thing at the annual homage to ground hominy corn at the Kymulga Grist Mill and Park.

Admission is free. Open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Wing Ding

April 27 in Vestavia Hills

The charity fundraiser sponsored by Leadership Vestavia Hills will be held on the Vestavia city hall lawn.

Tickets are $12 advance plus a fee via Eventbrite, and $15 at the gate ($10 with non-perishable food donation). Children 10 and under are free. Open from 4-7 p.m.

Corks and Chefs

April 27-28 in Birmingham

One of the premiere events of spring, the opportunity to sample local restaurants and breweries, and sip wine at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark.

Ticket information TBA. Open from noon-3 p.m.

Taste of Trussville

May 9 in Trussville

Taste of Trussville is the launch for Trussville Restaurant Week, May 10-26, and will take place at Trussville Civic Center.

Tickets are available via the Trussville Chamber of Commerce office. Open from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Magic City Wine Fest

May 11 in Birmingham

A portion of the ticket price supports Railroad Park.

General admission tickets are $55, VIP tickets are $85, and they offer a $20 Designated Driver ticket. Open from 6-9 p.m.

Rocket City BBQ & Soul Fest

May 18 in Huntsville

Look for the fun at the National Speleological Society conference center on Pulaski Pike.

Tickets start at $25 plus a fee. Open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Poke Salat Festival

May 18 in Arab

The festival is named for the Southern dish made from the leaves of pokeweed, which is foraged and must be properly prepared to stave its toxicity.

Admission is free. Times TBA. The event starts with a morning 5k race.

Birmingham Taco Fest

May 19 in Birmingham

The 7-year-old celebration of Birmingham’s rich taco offerings will take place at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark.

Advance tickets are $10 plus a fee and $15 at the gate. 12 and under are free. Open from 1-7 p.m.

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