Thanksgiving Point Harvest Festival
If gigantic melons tickle your fancy, then hightail it to Thanksgiving Point's (3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi, thanksgivingpoint.com) annual Harvest Festival. It's a free event that invites attendees to visit a wide variety of local vendors, purchase local produce and enjoy family-friendly arts, crafts and live music. Festival goers won't want to miss the pumpkin weigh-off during which the Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers Association rolls out their most bulbous gourds for the audience's viewing pleasure. Pumpkins aren't the only thing weighed and measured for unnatural girth—expect to see similar competitions for tomatoes, watermelons and other autumnal produce. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Rock 'n' Ribs Festival
On the other hand, thick smoked sausage might be more your thing. In that case, Gallivan Center (239 S. Main, thegallivancenter.com) is hosting the 2018 Rock 'n' Ribs Festival. It's a gathering of local pit masters, grill gurus and smoke sultans offering $3 sample plates of their finest smoked meats. In addition to the delectable aromas of hickory wood smoke, dry rub and slowly cooking protein wafting back and forth throughout the plaza, the event features activities for kids and live music. Admission is free, and it all starts on Saturday, Sept. 29, from noon to 7 p.m. Don't forget your bib and wet wipes!

Competitive Fundraiser
Maybe you're after more of a double team this weekend. If so, consider checking out the Salt Lake Institute of Culinary Education (2233 S. 300 East, saltlakeculinarycenter.com), which is hosting a competition based on Food Network's Chopped on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. Two teams of chefs (Tanner Freed and Sam Ball vs. Chris Henry and Joshua Cornell) each receive two mystery baskets of ingredients and compete against each other to create the most inventive dishes in a limited amount of time. To watch the culinary fisticuffs, purchase tickets for $15 via EventBrite. While these pros whip up some creative eats, they also help a good cause in the process. Proceeds benefit Fit 2 Recover, a local organization that helps people recover from drug and alcohol addiction.

Quote of the Week: "To barbecue is a way of life rather than a desirable method of cooking."

—Clement Freud

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