The Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival Just Might Be Iowa’s Biggest And Baddest Foodie Event

Iowa's food scene is the definition of "local rules". So many businesses here work with local ingredients, and it's common to be able to visit the farm where things are being made and be a part of the process from beginning to end. There are so many small food businesses around Iowa that it can be challenging to know where to begin - and now, you can sample many of the best all in one place. This April 1st, the Waterloo Convention Center is being taken over by the Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival. This brand-new event will last from 11 AM to 5 PM, with advance tickets only being $10 for access to a convention hall full of dozens of vendors offering samples of some of the best local food and drink in Iowa. You can take a culinary trip all around the Hawkeye State without leaving the convention hall - for one day only!

The Waterloo Convention Center is one of Iowa's top event spots, and it's about to be transformed into a foodie destination.

The Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival is a six-hour convention celebrating some of Iowa's most famous foods, as well as offering free samples to guests for the low price of $10 for advanced tickets.

The event is designed to benefit the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area, which spans 90 public and private sites around northeast Iowa.

You'll find dozens of top vendors from around Iowa at the event, including Hansen's Farm Fresh Dairy and its iconic cheese curds.

Farm Story Meats will be serving its acclaimed breakfast meats, including its center-cut bacon which makes a perfect BLT.

Looking for something a little more daring? Lola's Fine Hot Sauce in Des Moines offers sample shots of its spicy wares. How hot can you handle it?

For a sweet finish, head to the Bambino's stand, where the cookie chain's famous sugar cookies will be on offer.

And of course, the drinks are a big selling point as well. Decorah's Convergence CiderWorks is one of the state's best locations for fresh hard cider, and you'll want to make a visit over there as soon as the convention ends.

Are you planning a visit to the Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival this April 1st? Let us know what you're excited to try at this brand-new food festival in Iowa in the comments section. You don't want to miss out, so make sure to reserve your ticket at the website, and follow the Facebook page of Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area for more information. While you're in Waterloo, make sure to start your day with a meal at this iconic diner.