Summers down South are pretty brutal, but there’s one thing we will celebrate no matter how high the humidity climbs or how many hurricanes are churning in the Gulf: food.

We simply adore food. We love food so much, that while lunching with friends, our conversation is likely centered on that epic brunch we enjoyed the weekend before or what feast we have planned later for dinner.

With our undying zeal for good eats, it’s no surprise that we have a plethora of food—and drink—festivals.

Food is something to celebrate!

This summer, I’m teaming up with Eventbrite after hearing about their Trends in Food and Drink project.

Eventbrite is an easy-to-use platform that assists you in finding events—festivals, conferences, athletic events, fundraisers, etc.—in your area. They also have free event management tools and widgets to help you advertise your event, sell tickets, and track your event’s progress.

While I’ve never hosted an event, I have registered for countless races and festivals through their site with ease.

This month or next, we’re planning a day trip to New Orleans. While the Audubon Zoo is on our agenda, I’m crossing our fingers we can also swing by the French Quarter for the annual Creole Tomato Festival (June 13-14).

There really is no better tomato than the Creole—and this lively festival is a great place to sample one if you’ve never tried one.

But if we don’t make it there again, there’s always the inaugural Bay Bites Food Truck Festival at Cooper Riverside Park in Mobile (July 8).

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We’re fans of Geaux Boy, but there are several local food trucks we’ve never tried.

One of my favorite summer events in Mobile is the Dauphin Street Beer Festival. We stayed home last year (I was almost 8 months pregnant!), but it’s a beer lover’s dream with approximately 100 craft brews to sample.

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Something that really intrigues me is the COOLinary New Orleans promotion. For the entire month of August, quite an assortment of the city’s finest restaurants are offering affordable lunch and dinner menus.

Some of my favorites I’d love to revisit are Mr. B’s, Café Degas, and Muriel’s (the best Bloody Mary!). It would also be a great time to try the famed Antoine’s or Galatoire’s.

With so much good food to be had this summer, I’m sure you’ll find us attending at least one of these events with our appetites in tow! Be sure to check out Eventbrite to find local festivals and events in your area.

• Are you attending any food or drink festivals this year?
• What’s on your foodie bucket list?