International Cowpea Festival and Cook-off

Date: September 12, 2020

Time: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Location: Charleston, TN

Phone: (423) 472-6587

Event Website

Season: Fall

Event type: Festivals

Region: Chattanooga & Southeast - East Tennessee

A little-known piece of agricultural history will be celebrated at the International Cowpea Festival & Cook-off returning this fall to the public park in Charleston, Tennessee. The festival is set for Sept. 12, beginning at 10 a.m., with the headlining entertainment taking the stage at 6 p.m.

According to research by former Farm Bureau President Jack Sanders, Charleston was once a large grower and exporter of cowpeas and was known as the “Cowpea Capital of the United States.” Cowpea is the general name for black-eyed peas, field peas, crowder peas, southern peas, silver- and purple-hull peas and cream peas. The cowpea, known scientifically as avigna unguiculata, got its common name because the peas were first fed to livestock as a strong source of protein. People realized the benefits and flavor and have made these peas a staple on southern plates.

The event will include a cook-off focusing on cowpea recipes created by professional chefs. A marketplace will feature arts and crafts, produce, and other local items for sale. Returning this year will be a larger children’s area, entertainment, a photo contest, food vendors, and a heritage area to share other parts of Charleston’s story such as Cherokee, Civil War, and Wild River history.