Big Mama's Collard Greens Festival 2026
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Join us for the 10th Annual Big Mama’s Collard Greens Fest on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from noon to 6 PM at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex in Sarasota.
For ten years, Big Mama’s has brought the Newtown community together through food, culture, music, friendly competition, and a whole lot of collard green pride. What began in 2016 as a way to celebrate family recipes and community connection has grown into one of Newtown’s signature events.
One of the biggest highlights of the festival is the Collard Green Cook-Off, where home cooks and professional chefs compete for bragging rights, prizes, and the coveted “Big Mama” title.
Contestants bring their best collard green recipes to the table, and dishes are judged blind by a selected panel. No names. No favorites. Just flavor. Awards are given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, but let’s be honest, anyone brave enough to put their greens in front of judges already has nerves of steel and probably a secret ingredient they will never admit to.
Big Mama’s Collard Greens Fest is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event designed for all ages. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, family, friends, and appetite, and enjoy a day filled with local flavor and community celebration.
Guests can enjoy soul food favorites, support local vendors, watch live entertainment, and celebrate the many ways collard greens continue to connect people across generations.
The festival supports the mission of Newtown Nation and the Newtown Farmers Market, helping promote food access, healthy eating, local entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity in the Newtown community. Every vendor, sponsor, volunteer, cook, performer, and guest helps strengthen that mission.
**Event Details**
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: Noon to 6 PM
Location: Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 John Rivers Street, Sarasota, FL 34234
Presented by: Newtown Nation and Newtown Farmers Market
Come hungry. Leave happy. Celebrate culture, community, and the greens that started it all.
VENDOR & SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.
For ten years, Big Mama’s has brought the Newtown community together through food, culture, music, friendly competition, and a whole lot of collard green pride. What began in 2016 as a way to celebrate family recipes and community connection has grown into one of Newtown’s signature events.
One of the biggest highlights of the festival is the Collard Green Cook-Off, where home cooks and professional chefs compete for bragging rights, prizes, and the coveted “Big Mama” title.
Contestants bring their best collard green recipes to the table, and dishes are judged blind by a selected panel. No names. No favorites. Just flavor. Awards are given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, but let’s be honest, anyone brave enough to put their greens in front of judges already has nerves of steel and probably a secret ingredient they will never admit to.
Big Mama’s Collard Greens Fest is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event designed for all ages. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, family, friends, and appetite, and enjoy a day filled with local flavor and community celebration.
Guests can enjoy soul food favorites, support local vendors, watch live entertainment, and celebrate the many ways collard greens continue to connect people across generations.
The festival supports the mission of Newtown Nation and the Newtown Farmers Market, helping promote food access, healthy eating, local entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity in the Newtown community. Every vendor, sponsor, volunteer, cook, performer, and guest helps strengthen that mission.
**Event Details**
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: Noon to 6 PM
Location: Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 John Rivers Street, Sarasota, FL 34234
Presented by: Newtown Nation and Newtown Farmers Market
Come hungry. Leave happy. Celebrate culture, community, and the greens that started it all.
VENDOR & SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.
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Where is it happening?
Robert L. Taylor Community Complex (RLTCC), 1845 John Rivers Street,Sarasota, Florida, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherThe Newtown Nation Inc.
