“All things edible, all things Appalachian!” That is the motto of the “Taste of Tennessee” festival, taking place from September 17th – 24th throughout Northeast Tennessee with multiple events. Taste of Tennessee is a celebration of Appalachian food and foodways, highlighting the history and culture surrounding the region’s cuisine.
The festival will include hands-on workshops, live demos, local celebrity guest speakers, musical performances, lots of food, vendors, and more. One of the festival’s central features is our “Take the Cake” cake-baking competition for homecooks, professionals, and children, where local residents are encouraged to show off their skills, as well as their favorite dishes. The Taste of Tennessee Festival will culminate in a Festival Showcase on Sunday, September 24th from 12:00-5:00 pm with vendors, food trucks, live music, and demos in the parking lot of the Jonesborough Public Library.
In addition to highlighting the work of local chefs, farmers, historians, and food experts, this week-long celebration also serves as a fundraiser for the Heritage Alliance and will benefit local hunger-fighting initiatives.
A complete program for Taste of Tennessee is available on our Taste of Tennessee Program page.
Taste of Tennessee promises good times, good company, and good eats. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn more about our local food heritage in September and bring your appetite for Appalachia!
The Taste of Tennessee Festival is a proud recipient of an Arts Support Project Grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
The Registration Forms for Vendors for the September 24th Festival Showcase and the “Take the Cake” Competition are available via clickable links on the Italicized text.
Vendor and Food Truck Information
If you’d like to register to be a vendor or food truck for this event, please complete the registration form and pay the required fee using the drop down menu below. Please note, the fee is $50.00 for vendors and food trucks. Registration deadline for the Festival Showcase is September 18, 2023 by 5:00 pm EST.
Take the Cake Entry Form
If you’d like to enter your cake for the “Take the Cake” competition, please complete this registration form and pay the required fee using the drop down menu below. We have three categories in this competition, Homecook, Professional, and Young Bakers (15 and younger). Registration is due by September 21st at 5:00 pm EST.
Sponsorship
We really heavily on our sponsors for this event. We want to thank the Jonesborough Area Merchants and Service Association for their support. Sponsors receive prominent placement on all publicity for the event, including signage, programs, on social media, in print media, and more. If you would like to sign up to be a sponsor, please complete this form and donate the desired amount in the drop down menu below.
*This form will redirect to Paypal when you hit submit. Your entry will not be considered complete until you pay on Paypal.
Become a TN4Arts Advocate
You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to become an advocate for the arts. Here’s a simple and direct way to show your love if you’re a Tennessee resident: purchase a specialized license plate.
The process is easy:
- Visit your local County Clerk’s Office.
- Ask for a Tennessee Arts Commission License Plate.
- Exchange your old plate for a shiny new one. (Don’t forget your screwdriver!)
- Show off your love for the arts as you drive around town.
