Orange is the color of happiness on the streets of Darlington, home of the South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival. Join the 25,000 people expected at the festival's 25th showing to find out what makes the state's crop of sweets so special.

Festival must-try: The Pilot Club of Darlington's sweet potato pie

Details: October 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free; on the public square of Darlington (about an hour and a half from Columbia); www.visitdarlingtoncounty.org/darlington_events.html

The bayou fishermen of Niceville, Florida, get mighty busy in the days leading up to the annual Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival. They have to pull up nearly 10 tons of the area's beloved bottom-feeder to satisfy the festival's more than 100,000 attendees.

Festival must-try: Smoked mullet

Details: October 19 to 21, noon to midnight on Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday; $10 per person on Friday and Saturday, $5 on Sunday; Mullet Festival grounds, State Road 85 North at College Boulevard (about 30 minutes northeast of Fort Walton Beach and just over an hour from Pensacola); www.mulletfestival.com

While many food festivals offer fare that's far from healthy, the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival focuses on the greener (and beaner) things in life. Guest speakers and healthy-cooking demos will pack your brain with good-for-you info.

Festival must-try: Vegan caviar