Mississippi is no stranger to great festivals. Some of the best are centered around food…and that’s exactly the case with one of the state’s biggest fests. Held every October, the Delta Hot Tamale Festival in Greenville draws thousands of people from all over for a weekend of great food and loads of fun. This is one tasty event, and you don’t want to miss it! Take a look:

As the “Hot Tamale Capital of the World,” it makes perfect sense that Greenville would host an entire festival dedicated to the food.

Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook The city registered the title with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2013, making it the official “Hot Tamale Capital of the World.”

The 3-day event has taken place every October since 2012. This year’s celebration is scheduled for October 19 – 21, 2017.

Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook According to Southern Living, it’s “quickly becoming the state’s best, don’t-miss food event,” which is made clear by the droves of people that head to the fest each year.

Numerous tamale vendors line the street, which means festival-goers will have plenty of chances to sample tamales.

mainstreetgreenville.com Much different than a typical tamale, the Delta Hot Tamale is made with ground corn meal (instead of masa). It’s smaller, spicier, and simmered in water rather than steamed.

Cooks get pretty creative at the festival, so aside from plain tamales, you’ll find plenty with a unique (and tasty) twist.

Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook You’ll find tamales topped with chili, fried to perfection, baked into a pie – the options are practically endless.

And what tamale festival would be complete without a Hot Tamale Eat-Off?

Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook Last year, the winner at 27 in less than 5 minutes!

In addition to great food, there’s tons of fun for the entire family.

Jimmy Smith/Flickr

Kids of all ages will be entertained by rides and activities.

mainstreetgreenville.com

The days are filled with great entertainment, too.

Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook A variety of performers will take the stage during the festival.

The annual festival also includes a parade, crowning of a king and queen, celebrity chef tamale cook-off, and Literary Mash-Up.

Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook The Literary Mash-Up, which takes place the first two days of the event, brings together Southern writers, artists, and chefs for a debate on a variety of topics.

A celebration of artists, musicians, and tamale makers, it’s easy to see why the Delta Hot Tamale Festival is one of the most anticipated events in the state.

Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook Since this is such a popular event, hotels in Greenville normally sell out by early September. So if you’re planning on going, book your room soon.

This year’s Delta Hot Tamale Festival is scheduled for Oct 19-21, 2017, so don’t forget to mark your calendar! For more information, click here.

Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook

The city registered the title with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2013, making it the official “Hot Tamale Capital of the World.”

According to Southern Living, it’s “quickly becoming the state’s best, don’t-miss food event,” which is made clear by the droves of people that head to the fest each year.

mainstreetgreenville.com

Much different than a typical tamale, the Delta Hot Tamale is made with ground corn meal (instead of masa). It’s smaller, spicier, and simmered in water rather than steamed.

You’ll find tamales topped with chili, fried to perfection, baked into a pie – the options are practically endless.

Last year, the winner at 27 in less than 5 minutes!

Jimmy Smith/Flickr

A variety of performers will take the stage during the festival.

The Literary Mash-Up, which takes place the first two days of the event, brings together Southern writers, artists, and chefs for a debate on a variety of topics.

Since this is such a popular event, hotels in Greenville normally sell out by early September. So if you’re planning on going, book your room soon.

Looking for more fun fests to add to your bucket list? Check out “12 Unique Fall Festivals In Mississippi You Won’t Find Anywhere Else.“

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