In the southern part of the country almost everyone knows of the National Shrimp Festival and many have visited the area to attend the multi-day event. Now the publication USA Today is ranking the most popular specialty food events in the USA and you VOTE could make the difference.

During the month of February, USA Today is asking it's readership to select the "Best Specialty Food Festival" for it's annual Readers' Choice Award.

Just to be nominated can be considered an honor, but to win would provide the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber credence to their cherished event. The National Shrimp Festival began in the '70s and is credited for attracting millions of visitors over its 50+ years in existence.

Some of the competitors in the category include:

Picklesburgh - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Rhode Island Seafood Festival - Providence, Rhode Island

Cheese Curd Festival - Ellsworth, Wisconsin

Sebring Soda Festival - Sebring, Florida

National Buffalo Wing Festival - Buffalo, New York

Delta Hot Tamale Festival - Greenville, Mississippi

Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival - Astoria, Oregon

Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival - Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

National Apple Harvest Festival - Biglerville, Pennsylvania

Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival - Austin, Texas

TO VOTE CLICK HERE (You Can Vote Once A Day)

The Annual National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama began in 1971 as a way to extend the tourist season. The festival is a tradition that features seafood, live music, art, and more. Bill Prime, the director of the Gulf Shores Tourist Association, pitched the idea of a Shrimp Festival after a local real estate agent discussed the annual Blessing of the Fleet. 

The inaugural festival in 1971 drew a crowd of approximately 500 to 1,500 attendees.