9 Memphis food events you shouldn't miss in April, from hot wings to crawfish to a wine race
Mark your calendars! April is a busy month when it comes to things to do on the food scene.
Events range from a world championship hot wing festival to the opening day of a farmers market to an annual wine festival. There are also two beer festivals and two crawfish festivals happening in April.
The one common denominator is that each will offer a good time filled with delicious eats and drinks.
Here are nine food and drink events happening in April that you won't want to miss.
Memphis Farmers Market Opening Day
Memphis Farmers Market kicks off the 2024 season on April 6.
Open every Saturday in April through October at the corner of GE Patterson Avenue and Front Street, the market showcases locally sourced produce and food items, as well as locally produced kitchen and garden arts and crafts from the Mid-South.
In addition to the dozens of vendors, enjoy live music and weekly themed events and fun programs.
For information on weekly vendors and entertainment, visit memphisfarmersmarket.org.
When:8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays in April-October
Where:566 S. Front St.
Cost:Free
HOPPED Beer Festival at Memphis Made Brewing Co.
The HOPPED Beer Festival is back again this spring. Memphis Made Brewing Co. will have a bunch of limited-run hoppy ales released throughout the day on April 13, plus much more on tap. Memphis Filling Station will add its own hoppy beers to the offerings this year.
When:Noon-10 p.m. April 13
Where:Memphis Made Brewing Co., 768 S. Cooper St.
Cost:Free
Details: memphismadebrewing.com
Vintage901 Wine & Food Festival
The eighth annual Vintage901 is April 20-21.
If you love wine, food and good company, you need to attend the Vintage901 Wine & Food Festival, a two-day wine, food and music experience.
Wines will be flowing, good food will be plentiful and, most importantly, Memphians will have a unique opportunity to come together as a community.
The Grand Tasting is 5-9 p.m. April 20 at The Medicine Factory, 85 Virginia Ave. The Sparkling Brunch is noon-2 p.m. April 21 at the FedEx Event Center, 415 Great View Drive East.
When:April 20-21
Where:The Medicine Factory, 85 Virginia Ave., and FedEx Event Center, 415 Great View Drive East
Cost:Tickets start at $105
Tickets: vintage901.org
World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival
The 2024 World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival will take place April 20 at the River Garden Park, overlooking the Mississippi River. This will mark the 22nd year of the festival, previously known as the Southern Hotwing Festival. The event is expected to have approximately 70 teams competing this year for the coveted title of Hot Wing World Champion.
The annual contest kicks off at 11 a.m. when the Memphis Second Line Jazz Band will lead the crowd in a parade into the park to the main stage.
Each admission ticket includes three "Wings Bucks," each worth a sample party wing from any participating team. Expect family-friendly activities such as a wing eating contest and musical acts performing on two stages throughout the event.
When:11 a.m.-6 p.m. April 20
Where:River Garden Park, 51 Riverside Drive
Cost:$15 for general admission; $150 for a VIP experience that includes access to a VIP tent (that offers catered food and a full open bar) and 10 Wing Bucks
Tickets: worldwingfest.com
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The Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival
The Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival is 11 a.m.-7 p.m. April 21. This year's festival will be back in Downtown Memphis at its traditional location at Wagner Place and Riverside Drive.
The annual event in its third decade features more than 15,000 pounds of crawfish, live music and games for the kids. Proceeds from the event support Porter-Leath, a nonprofit that provides social services to at-risk children and families in Memphis.
When:11 a.m.-7 p.m. April 21
Where:Wagner Place and Riverside Drive
Cost:Free
Details: porterleath.org
Overton Square Crawfish Festival
The annual Overton Square Crawfish Festival is set for 11 a.m.-5 p.m. April 27. Enjoy boiled crawfish, live music, tasty beer choices and a local artist's market — all surrounded by Overton Square's shops and eateries.
When:11 a.m.-5 p.m. April 27
Where:Overton Square, 2101 Madison Ave.
Cost:Free
Details: overtonsquare.com
WISEACRE's Taste the Rarity
Wiseacre Brewing Co. will host its ninth Taste the Rarity event on April 27.
Featuring breweries from all over the country, Taste the Rarity is a specially curated festival dedicated to beer, fun and weirdness. Brewers bring their best and weirdest beers to Memphis for this annual event. Your ticket includes a wristband, taster glass and 4 hours of unlimited drinking. Expect live music and food trucks.
When:3-7 p.m. April 27 (The festival is rain or shine if there is inclement weather.)
Where:WISEACRE Brewing Co. OG, 2783 Broad Ave.
Cost: $55
Tickets: wiseacrebrew.com
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Breakfast for Dinner benefitting Room in the Inn-Memphis
The fifth annual Breakfast for Dinner benefitting Room in the Inn-Memphis is April 27 at First Congregational Church, 1000 Cooper St.
Room in the Inn-Memphis provides shelter and hospitality to people experiencing homelessness in the community. To date, Breakfast for Dinner has raised close to $50,000 for Room in the Inn-Memphis.
Breakfast for Dinner will be serving up traditional pancakes, specialty pancakes, breakfast casseroles, pastries and more. Plus, there will be Memphis Made beer and brunchy-style cocktails.
When:5 p.m. April 27
Where:First Congo, 1000 S. Cooper St.
Cost:$15-$20
Tickets: eventbrite.com ; limited tickets will be available at the door
Beale Street Wine Race
Watch and cheer on your favorite restaurants and bartenders as they compete in four events for cash, prizes and glory at the annual Beale Street Wine Race on April 28.
Awards will be given in these categories: Parade, Queen of the Vine, Grape Stomp and the Great Wine Race.
When:1 p.m. April 28
Where:Beale Street
Cost:Free
Online: bealestreet.com
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis food and drink events to look forward to in April 2024 | List
