By Carol Lynn Jackson

Summertime in the south promises so many things. One of my favorite summertime activities is visiting regional food festivals and attending themed dinner parties or restaurant specials. Here are just a few local and regional “foodie” events to enjoy this summer.

July 19: Enjoy a Spanish Wine Dinner this Thursday at Seasons at Highland Lake in Hendersonville, N.C. at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are required; call 828-696-9094.
If you haven’t yet come to know Michelle Bailey, the banquet sous chef, now’s the time. Michelle graduated from AB Tech in 2007 and that same year earned three gold medals through team competitions with the American Culinary Federation. She brings her knowledge and experience to the table with her for this wine dinner as she introduces and explains this Spanish-inspired menu

July 20: Open Road Coffeehouse and New to You Consignment shop invite you to enjoy thrifting, coffee-drinks, local foods and live music. Nationally known singer-songwriter Bradley Ditto will be at Open Road Coffeehouse on the new 40-foot deck alongside Little Creek. The event is from 7-9 p.m. and is free. Visit www.openroadcoffee.org for more information.

July 20-21: Come chill with the most sizzling BBQ teams in the southeast and the hottest bluegrass in the nation. Cool down in the Blue Ridge Mountains for the Spruce Pine BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival in downtown Spruce Pine, N.C.
The event features a sanctioned professional BBQ competition, a wings contest, public tastings, live bluegrass, a cornhole tournament, championship clogging teams, craft vendors, BBQ equipment and supplies vendors, local food vendors, the Spruce Pine Skedaddle 5K and Fun Run, a kids play-area and more. Visit www.sprucepinebbqbluegrass.org.

July 21: 4 – 6 p.m. Join Alan Muskat, Asheville’s “epicure of the obscure,” as he takes you out to eat — outside, that is. Discover nature’s supermarket as you learn how to safely find, identify, appreciate and maybe even eat wild mushrooms, greens, berries and other “exotic” native delights. The walk will conclude with a wild/organic dinner, and Alan will deejay a dance party afterward. It’s a great opportunity to really go wild! The walk will be short and easy and appropriate for all ages, and the dance party is optional, of course. Alan’s introductory e-book is included so there’s no need to take notes. Beyond organic, closer than local, wild is the final food frontier, Alan says. For more information and to register, visit www.notastelikehome.org and forage ahead. 828-273-8075. Earthhaven Ecovillage, Black Mountain, N.C.

Aug. 1 – 4: Cheese Rally in Raleigh, at the Raleigh Convention Center. The American Cheese Society invites cheesemongers from across the country for this 29th annual conference with competitions, seminars, and showcases. This grassroots group is pleased to feature Temple Grandin, expert on humane livestock handling, as its keynote speaker. If you haven’t already, rent the HBO biopic Temple Grandin (2010) starring Claire Danes, an excellent and moving portrait of this singular courageous lady. Visit www.cheesesociety.org.

Aug. 11-12: 35th Annual Sourwood Festival, Black Mountain, N.C. The sourwood tree and our lovely honeybees provide our area with tasty local sourwood honey. At this annual street festival you can browse the arts and crafts of hundreds of vendors, see honeybee demonstrations, sample festival food and participate in a 5K run.

Aug. 25: Asheville Wine & Food Festival Grand Tasting, Asheville, N.C. Sponsored by WNC Magazine. More than 75 wineries, restaurants and food producers. Experience the diverse culinary offerings of western North Carolina and regional, national and international wineries. WNC Chefs Challenge. www.wncmagazine.com.