The festival’s unofficial events provide food and entertainment at a lower price point.
Veteran food festival goers know something newcomers won’t: the unofficial events that occur because food and beverage professionals have converged in one locale will provide some of the most unexpected entertainment of the weekend.
Even more of a bonus, fringe events, as they’re called, are often at a much lower price point than the festival events, and you just might catch some key talent hanging around off the clock.
This year, euphoria food, wine and music festival’s fringe event line-up is far more robust than past years’. That bodes well for the overall health of the festival as vendors and restaurants believe it’s worth it to capture attendees during their downtime between official events.
Here’s the rundown in chronological order of fringe events publicized so far for Sept. 19-21, but there’s no guarantee there won’t be more as the weekend marches on.
Thursday
Dip Into Fall
A Maker’s Mark Wax Dipping Event
Where: Up on the Roof, 250 Riverplace
When: 5-7 p.m.
Cost: Free admission, cocktails priced individually
What to expect: Try your hand at wax dipping with the purchase of a featured Maker’s Mark cocktail.
Foodie Fights!
Where: Blue Ridge Creamery, Travelers Rest
When: 7 p.m.-midnight
Cost: $65, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Buy tickets here.
What to expect: Six food and beverage professionals, including Christian Hansen, the creamery’s owner; Anna Okupinksi of The Community Tap; and Sarah DuBose of Sassafrass Flower Farm, will go head-to-head in a make-shift boxing ring. There will be punches thrown. Celebrity judges are the Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore, food writer Jenn Rice, and Craig Rogers of Border Springs Farm. Chefs Teryi Musolf and Joe Clarke have a street food menu planned, and musical guests are John the Revelator and Charles Hedgepath Music Trio.
Friday
Got Skills?
Where: The Cook’s Station, 26 Augusta St.
When: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Cost: $30. Buy tickets here.
What to expect: Are you using your knives correctly? Have you ever thought, ‘why are there so many different ones?’ In this hands-on class you will learn everything from how to choose the best knife to seeing what techniques work for you. Local custom knife maker Dan Eastland of Dogwood Custom Knives will join Chef Teryi Musolf in the Cook’s Station Showroom kitchen.
Sip by Sip
Where: Wine House, 475 Haywood Road
When: noon-3 p.m.
Cost: $50. Tickets are available here.
What to expect: There will be more than 15 wines for you to smell, sip, and savor with the help of educated wine professionals from Wine House and Curated Selections pouring each glass and giving you expert insight along the way. Small bites, including an assortment of sushi and charcuterie, will be provided.
Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum?
A 90’s Themed Happy Hour
Where: Crafted at Nose Dive
When: 2-4 p.m.
Cost: Free admission. Cocktails priced individually.
What to expect: Drink like it’s 1999. Greenville’s own Sam Slaughter, author of “Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum? and Other Cocktails for ‘90s Kids,” will be signing books, and there will be drink and appetizer specials.
Midnight Brunch
Where: Fork & Plough, 1629 E. North St.
When: 10 p.m.- until
Cost: Free admission. Food and drinks priced individually. 21+ only.
What to expect: Pancakes, waffles, biscuits, fried chicken, eggs, hashbrowns, grits, Bloody Mary’s, mimosas, and screwdrivers. Fill your belly and dance the night away with Asheville’s Aux Bar, Liability Brewing, Effen Vodka, and Maker’s Mark. Tunes provided by DJ Rohn.
Saturday
The NESS Fest’s Stadium Sesh
Where: Fluor Field, 945 S. Main St.
When: 10 a.m.-noon
Cost: $35. Tickets available here.
What to expect: The NESS Fest will be taking over The Greenville Drive stadium with the YMCA of Greenville and making each aspect of Fluor Field a personal gym. From climbing the stairs, to running the bases, you’ll get to experience Fluor Field in a unique way. After the 45-minute workout, you’ll head to The Greenville Drive rooftop for food and drinks. Lunch will be provided by Happy + Hale with beverages from Wine House.
Bubbles & Brine
Where: Jianna, 600 S. Main St.
When: 9 p.m.-until
Cost: $10 per pairing
What to expect: Guest chef Ben Dinsmore (of The Darling Oyster Bar in Charleston) will be dropping by Jianna and jumping behind the oyster bar with some of their finest coastal oysters. They’ll be paired with prosecco.