FOLEY — This weekend South Baldwin epicurians can sink their teeth into a tasty event, as the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce launches its Alabama Festival of Flavor.

“It’s centered around Alabama foods and the concepts of buying local and eating fresh foods,” South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce President Donna Watts said in a phone interview.

The Alabama Festival of Flavors kicks off Friday evening in Heritage Park with Chicago Street Farm-to-Table Dinner, with $100 tickets available for purchase at the Chamber for the 6 p.m. event.

“This outdoor, family-style dinner is comprised of 16 dishes created with Alabama-raised beef, fresh Gulf seafood and locally grown produce and prepared by the Gulf Coast Culinary Institute,” Watts said. “Each course is also paired with the perfect wine to complement each dish.”

Then at 9 a.m. Saturday in the same location will begin a day filled with activities for the public. The event will include cooking classes, such activities as a cupcake-decorating contest, a farmer’s market, food tastings, wine pairings and demonstrations.

“They’re what we call ‘edutainment’ opportunities,” Watts said.

Those opportunities will cover such topics as how to feed your family with a garden that’s smaller than a parking lot, how to compost and the benefits of using rainwater to irrigate gardens and lawns.

Plus, the festival will also include a farmer’s market food tastings and wine pairings and beer from Alabama brewers.

“We don’t have that many breweries in Alabama,” Watts pointed out.

Plus, there are activities for youngsters, as well.

“We’ll have a children’s village,” Watts said, explaining that it will include inflatables, face-painting and an antique tractor display, among other features.

Once the gate opens at 9 a.m., attendees have all day to enjoy activities. Then the inaugural event will conclude with a bang.

“The festival will end Saturday evening with a fireworks display,” Watts said.

Watts added that while most activities at the festival are free, some do require a fee, with tickets available at the information booth. In addition, parking is free.

For more information about Alabama Festival of Flavor, call the Chamber at 943-3291 or visit www.AlabamaFestivalofFlavor.com.