A Bucket of Fun
　　Do you like grapes? The people of Rancho Cucamonga, California, certainly do. This town began developing in the 1800s, thanks to the winemaking trade. Today, its Grape Harvest Festival celebrates the grape and the town's colorful history with a variety of events.

　　Watching the many grape -stomping contests must surely be the most fun. With no shoes on, contestants jump into a bucket of fresh grapes and stomp. The team that makes the most grape juice in three minutes is the winner!

　　Say Cheese
　　Next, move over to Britain for the British Cheese Awards in Gloucestershire. This annual October event brings cheese makers and cheese lovers together for a week of cheesy fun.

　　Watch a cheese-making demonstration to learn how British dairy farmers have been making cheese for generations. Attend a cheese tasting class, then buy your own samples in the traders' market. Goat and even buffalo cheese can be found here! Visit local restaurants and sample special cheese dishes prepared just for this event. If you're feeling strong, there's even a cheese-throwing contest!

　　Super Seafood
　　The town of Chincoteague, Virginia, still thrives on fishing. What do the people there fish for? Oysters! In October, the Chincoteague Oyster Festival pays tribute to the town's precious livelihood.

　　It's a tasty party! Wander to the different booths and taste oysters cooked in every imaginable way. Visit Chincoteague's Oyster & Maritime Museum to learn the history of the town and the oyster-catching trade. Stop and chat with some of the locals-they're sure to have some interesting tales of the sea.

　　Big Enchilada
　　Las Cruces, New Mexico, developed in the melting pot of early American culture. But while most things in Las Cruces have changed, people still eat their same beloved enchiladas. This staple food item has been a part of the local culture since the town's beginning.

　　Las Cruces' annual Whole Enchilada Fiesta celebrates the town's heritage-and of course its favorite meal. Come and watch as the townspeople cook the world's largest enchilada. The enchilada weighs over 450 kg (1000pounds) , and take nearly three hours to cook. You can taste for free!

　　At any sort of food festival, the food alone is not what makes the event special. At each event what's special is the shared enjoyment of one kind of tradition. Sharing a common food at a festival connects people to each other and to their area's past. It reminds people about the importance of their community and their roots.

　　Sharing that food with visitors keeps a culture proud and healthy. Not only that, it a great excuse to throw a party!