We’re five weeks into our first year enjoying fresh, local vegetables from our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share. I’m so happy that we finally planned ahead and signed up for a share this year. I love getting our vegetables each week even if I’m not always sure how to prepare them. But, I’m learning. Each week is a new adventure.

While I believe in eating local year round, summer is an especially wonderful time of year to do it. There are so many great options available. For this week’s Friday Favorites, here are five food related activities happening in Maine this weekend.

1. Central Maine Egg Festival. Pittsfield, Maine. Monday, July 10 – Saturday, July 15, 2017.  This year’s 45th Egg Festival theme is “Musical Egg-spression”. Even though it’s almost a half century old, I’ve never been to this festival but it sounds like fun. I like eggs. Saturday kicks off with a parade and ends with fireworks which is the perfect festival combination. There is a full line-up of other activities too including a marketplace tent of local Maine arts and crafts, live music and food. I need to put this one on my list. Wouldn’t you like a chance to see a ten foot frying pan? They have one!
2. Maine State Championship BBQ Festival. Ballpark, Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Sunday, July 16, 2017. 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. We’ve been on a BBQ kick this summer. It’s the perfect food for lazy summer days and meals shared on picnic tables. Are you interested in finding out who makes delicious BBQ? This BBQ championship contest is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. The competitors will be arriving and prepping on Saturday, and then the judging and awards will be presented on Sunday.
3. Maine Foodie Tours. Portland, Bar Harbor, Rockland and Kennebunkport. Ongoing. When planning a trip, one of the first things that I do is book a local food tour. It makes a new city feel more intimate. I’ve taken some wonderful food tours too including an especially enjoyable food and craft beer pairing tour through Montreal. Given I often go on food tours, it is amazing to me that I haven’t tried any of the Maine Foodie Tours yet. I’ll have to rectify that soon. They have an extensive lineup of tours including an  Old Port Lunchtime Lobster Crawl.
4. Cellardoor at the Point | Sunday Pairings: Fishin’ Ships. 4 Thompson’s Point
   Portland, Maine 04102. Sunday, July 16, 2017. 1:00-3:00 PM. I’ve been to a few Cellardoor at the Point food pairings which I blogged about in my post Cellardoor at the Point and Black Dinah Chocolates | Food and Wine Pairing. Cellardoor at the Point is a beautifully decorated space with high ceilings, lush fabrics and festive chandeliers. Their food pairing events are always a lot of fun. If you’re looking for a wine to try while you’re there, I’m partial to their Treasure which I blogged about in my post Y is for Younity | Want to try a blueberry wine? You’ve come to the right state.

5. Fork Food Lab July Market. 72 Parris St, Portland, ME 04101. Saturday, July 15, 2017
   10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Fork Food Lab hosts a variety of events showcasing their member’s products and the local food scene. Their events are always delicious. There will be products available from their members, food trucks, activities, and beer and wine at their July market. I blogged about their grand opening in my post Tasting our way through the Fork Food Lab grand opening. My daughter and I also went to the Girl Scout Cookie Takeover at Fork Food Lab back in March. They host regular food related events.

These are just a “taste”of the food events happening this weekend. Maine is a great destination for food lovers.

Do you have a favorite food event or activity in your area?