March Madness Means More Florida Food Festivals

Tampa, FL (PRWeb) March 3, 2008 -- Besides the well-known strawberry festivals this time of year, Florida hosts a variety of other food and wine events in March.

"Food festivals are an easy way to entertain family and friends, without breaking the bank," says Joan Steinbacher, author of "Food Fest! Your Complete Guide to Florida's Food Festivals." "There's always a wide variety of food and activities and therefore something that everyone in your group will enjoy."

March festivals feature a variety of indulgences -- sweet strawberries, fresh seafood, great barbecue, hot and spicy chili, craft beers, assorted wines, and much more.

So spend a day or weekend at these festivals and get your fill of tasty Florida fare while enjoying a variety of musical entertainment, children's activities, arts and crafts, and other fun amusements.

Here's a sampling of what's coming to Florida this March:

?    Plant City - Florida Strawberry Festival (February 28 - March 9)

?    Boca Raton - Boca Bacchanal Winefest (February 29 - March 2)

?    Palatka - Pigs On The River (March 1)

?    Eastpoint - Gulf Coast Regional Chili Cookoff (March 1)

?    Floral City - Strawberry Festival (March 1-2)

?    Safety Harbor - Seafood Festival (March 1-2)

?    Weston - Wine and Food Festival (March 2)

?    Clermont - Pig on the Pond (March 7-8)

?    Panama City - Gulf Coast BBQ Cookoff (March 7-8)

?    St. Petersburg - Cajun Zydeco Crawfish Festival (March 7-9)

?    St. Augustine - Lions Seafood Festival (March 7-9)

?    St. Petersburg - Abilities Wine and Food Festival (March 8)

?    Tampa - Florida Brewers Guild BeerFest (March 8)

?    High Springs - O'leno Ole' Chili Cookoff (March 8)

?    Naples - Country Jam Chili Cookoff (March 8)

?    Fort Myers Beach - Shrimp Festival (March 8-9)

?    Pinellas Park - Chili Blaze (March 14)

?    Lake City - Hog Wild and Pig Crazy Barbecue Cook-off (March 14-15)

?    St. Augustine - Rhythm and Ribs Festival (March 14-16)

?    Astor - Chamber Of Commerce Chili Cook-off (March 15)

?    Orlando - The Food & Wine Festival at Baldwin Park (March 15)

?    Salt Springs - Cactus Jack's Chili Cookoff (March 15)

?    Tampa - Denning's Lounge Chili Cookoff (March 15)

?    Pembroke Pines - A Sip of Wine...A Taste of Heaven (March 15)

?    Marathon - Seafood Festival (March 15-16)

?    Placida - Rotary Seafood Festival (March 15-16)

?    Auburndale - Bluegrass & BBQ Festival (March 20-23)

?    Jacksonville - Great Atlantic Seafood Festival (March 22)

?    Coral Gables - Wine & Food Festival (March 27)

?    Tampa - Polished Palate International Rum Festival (March 27-29)

?    Tampa - Steve Otto Chili Cook-off (March 29)

?    Tampa - Taste of New Tampa (March 30)

Don't miss out on another fun Florida food event! For additional information and more events, visit "Food Fest!"--the ultimate "foodies" travel guide--at www.FoodFestGuide.com

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