Best of 2012: Best festival (non-local)

Taste of Chicago

July 11—15, 2012

Grant Park

Chicago, Ill.

explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/special_events/mose/taste_of_chicago.html

Touted as the world's largest food festival, the Taste of Chicago showcases the diversity of Chicago's dining community. More than 2.5 million visitors come to stroll through blocks of food vendors and choose from "taste" size portions to complete meals.

This outdoor fest, which began in the summer of 1980, includes music and family activities on the city's lakefront. It is the second largest tourist attraction in the state of Illinois and Chicago's largest festival.

SECOND PLACE

Marshall County National Blueberry Festival

Aug. 31—Sept. 3, 2012

Plymouth, Ind.

blueberryfestival.org

THIRD PLACE

Frankfort Fall Festival

Sept. 1—3, 2012

Frankfort, Ill.

frankfortfallfestival.info