This weekend brings with it one of the biggest food events of the year, the third annual Music City Food + Wine Festival. Once again, festival organizers have separated out day and night events so eager eaters can purchase tickets for events separately. The tickets for Harvest Night are sold out, though, so the only way to attend is by buying the All-In pass. Daily tickets are $150 each. It’s a good idea to buy tickets in advance, but there may still be tickets available for walk-ups during the event this weekend.
If you only have the budget for one day pass, be sure to look at the schedule to see what events most interest you. There will be different restaurants at the Grand Tasting each day, so be sure to also check out the list of chefs by day and plan accordingly. Rest assured there will be alcohol — and lots of it —available both days, as well as the Martin’s Bar-B-Que and Friends barbecue feast.
Once you’ve decided on a day, prioritize your tastings. Try something new. But I as I said last year, eat first and chat later. Don’t be that guy who’s holding up the line because you’re gherming about favorite local farms (this might just be a reminder to myself, actually).
The weather is likely to be warm and sunny, and the festival takes place on a grassy area, so I recommend dressing comfortably and appropriately, but stylishly. Not only are there roaming photographers from local and national media, you’ll want to look your very best for photo ops with favorite chefs (or celebrities).
Before you head to a demo or panel, be sure to have a drink or two in hand and a few bites from the Grand Tasting Chef Showcase. Depending on your interests, you might want to keep a free hand open to take notes. I learned a lot last year.
Gates open promptly at 11 a.m., and it’s best to get to the venue about 10 minutes in advance in order to take full advantage of the day. But don’t worry if you can’t make it at that time; there is plenty of food and even more alcohol available to festivalgoers.
This year, the festival moves to a new location at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, which is between Sixth and Seventh avenues, bounded by James Robertson Parkway and Jefferson Street. Note that a portion of I-40 between Jefferson Street and I-65 will be closed over the weekend, so you’ll have to detour around and access this area from the east. This location is also just behind the Nashville Farmers’ Market, where Volksfest continues this weekend, so traffic and parking could be a challenge.
Free parking is available to festival-goers in the state’s lot at the corner of Sixth Avenue North and Harrison Street, which is directly across from the festival entrance (a festival map is available here). The other state lots that dot the area will also be available for parking. Another option is to park along a bus route on the east side or in the Gulch and ride in. But note that bus schedules are different on the weekends and that the free circuit buses won’t stop near the park before the gates open (but will stop shortly thereafter). The festival has also partnered with Uber for $20 off your first ride.
Since the first festival two years ago, the event has grown bigger and better. Regardless of how many events you choose to attend at the festival, you’re certain to have a great time. (For more info, check out the festival's top tips for the weekend here.)
And even if you can’t make it to the fest, you can follow hashtag #musiccityfw on Twitter and Instagram and live vicariously through the folks on site.
The festival runs this Saturday, Sept. 19, and Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Bicentennial Capitol State Mall Park (the sold-out with Harvest Night is at Walk of Fame Park). Some tickets are still available online. Note that this event is only for food fans ages 21 and older.
