Festivals

Millions of Americans attend thousands of annual food festivals throughout the United States. On the surface these festivals are family affairs, offering entertainment and something of interest to those of all ages. But they are much more than that. Through the celebration of food, Americans also celebrate history, heritage, culture, and economic opportunity.

Early immigrants from Europe continued the tradition of ceremonial harvest festivals, marking America’s primarily agrarian economy and the staple food production that served to sustain life. The Industrial Revolution, however, brought sweeping changes that would have a lasting effect. America’s rapidly developing industries created an enormous demand for workers, and large numbers of people abandoned farm life, resulting in an ever-growing urban population. Improved transportation, the introduction of commercial food preservation, and the mechanization of agriculture resulted in regional crop specialization, and fewer farmers fed increasing numbers of city dwellers.