USA Today named this one of the top 10 festivals in the country, and it earns it: whole-hog and chicken barbecue, craft beer, cider and wine tastings, a log-splitting contest, and live music most of the day at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds, with Shenandoah Downs harness racing running right alongside in the afternoon. It’s the single biggest food-and-drink day this guide covers in either month.

Most adults buy the tasting ticket, which covers unlimited sampling, a souvenir tasting glass and general admission: $30 in advance online (through Oct 2) or $40 on event day, online or at the gate. A general admission ticket (ages 15+) is $10 in advance or $15 on event day and includes live music and BBQ sampling but no alcohol tastings. The VIP tasting ticket is sold out. The organizer describes the event as preferred 21+, so it’s a better fit for a grown-up day out than a family morning.