That brisk cool snap that many Alabamians woke up to this morning is a welcome reminder that fall is just around the corner.

And the arrival of autumn not only means cooler weather and vivid colors but also a bevy of food festivals throughout the state -- events celebrating everything from peanuts and butter beans to catfish and oysters.

In fact, just about every weekend from mid-September through Thanksgiving, you should be able to find something to satisfy your appetite at festivals from Florence to Gulf Shores and several points in between.

Here, with the help of the Alabama Tourism Department, is our list of 25 of Alabama's top fall food festivals to put on your 2017 calendar. -- Bob Carlton | bcarlton@al.com

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Birmingham News file photo | Linda Stelter

St. George Middle Eastern Food Festival, Birmingham

What: This annual festival, which celebrates its 35th year in 2016, features such Middle Eastern dishes as kibbe, grape leaves, meat pies and falafel.

When: Sept.14-16.

Where: Saint George Melkite Greek Catholic Church, 425 16th Ave. South, Birmingham.

Website: saintgeorgeonline.org/food-festival

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Photo courtesy of Riverfest Barbecue Cook-Off

Riverfest Barbecue Cook-Off, Decatur

What: Barbecue teams from across the South and around the country compete for $20,000 in prizes at the Alabama State Barbecue Cook-Off, which also includes live music and children's events.

When: Sept. 15-16.

Where: Ingalls Harbor Pavilion Meeting & Event Center, 802-A Wilson St., Decatur.

More info: http://www.decaturjaycees.com

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Photo courtesy of Railroad Park

Trucks by the Tracks, Birmingham

What: Sample dishes from about 25 food trucks at this annual fundraiser for Railroad Park.

When: Sept. 17.

Where: Railroad Park, Birmingham.

Website: www.railroadpark.org

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Photo courtesy of Greek Festival

Greek Festival, Birmingham

What: Forty-fourth annual festival offers such Greek specialties as lamb kabobs, pastichio and baklava.

When: Sept. 21-23.

Where: Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 307 19th St. South, Birmingham.

Website: www.bhamgreekfestival.com

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Photo courtesy of Birmingham Originals

Breakin' Bread, Birmingham

What: Your one-stop dining destination for many of your favorite dishes from some of Birmingham's best independently owned restaurants.

When: Sept. 24.

Where: Sloss Furnaces, Birmingham.

Website: www.birminghamoriginals.org

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Photo courtesy of Taste of the Bayou

Taste of the Bayou, Bayou La Batre

What: Restaurants and amateur teams compete to see who makes the best dishes using Bayou La Batre seafood.

When: Sept. 30.

Where: Bayou La Batre Community Center, 12745 Padgett Switch Road, Irvington.

Website: www.tasteofthebayou.org.

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Photo courtesy of PorktoberQue

PorktoberQue, Dothan

What: Sixth annual Oktoberfest and barbecue celebration features polka music, a Bavarian beer garden, a car show and a barbecue cook-off.

When: Sept. 28-Oct. 1.

Where: Houston County Farm Center, 1701 East Cottonwood Road, Dothan.

More info: porktoberque.com.

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Photo courtesy of Irondale Whistle Stop Festival

Irondale Whistle Stop Festival, Irondale

What: The little town that made the fried green tomato famous celebrates all things Irondale with this 26th annual festival, which features food vendors, arts and crafts, live music and fireworks.

When: Sept. 30.

Where: Downtown Irondale.

Website: irondalewhistlestopfestival.com

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Photo courtesy of Athens Grease Festival

Athens Grease Festival, Athens

What: Greek and Southern cultures collide at this quirky small-town festival that celebrates the Limestone County seat of Athens' shared name with the ancient city of Athens, Greece, as well as the South's affinity for greasy, fried foods. Festival-goers may sample everything from fried Oreos and fried MoonPies to fried bacon-wrapped hot dogs and fried boiled eggs.

When: Sept. 30.

Where: Downtown Athens.

Website: athensmainstreet.org.

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Photo courtesy of Cahaba River Fry-Down

Cahaba River Fry-Down, Birmingham

What: Teams compete to see who cooks the best catfish and sides dishes, and festival-goers get to sample all of the dishes and vote for their favorites.

When: Oct. 1.

Where: Railroad Park, Birmingham.

Website: www.frydown.com

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Image courtesy of Cullman Oktoberfest

Cullman Oktoberfest, Cullman

What: Five-day Oktoberfest celebration features German food at churches and restaurants throughout Cullman, as well as beer, live music, 5K and 10K runs, and children's activities.

When: Oct. 4-8.

Where: Various locations in Cullman.

Website: www.cullmanoktoberfest.com.

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Birmingham News file photo | Michelle Campbell

Alabama Butterbean Festival, Pinson

What: Annual fall festival includes a beauty pageant, car show, fireworks and, of course, lots of butterbeans.

When: Oct. 6-7.

Where: Main Street, Pinson.

Website: www.albutterbeanfestival.org

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Photo courtesy of Fiesta

Fiesta, Birmingham

What: Day-long celebration of Alabama's Hispanic culture, featuring Latino music, dance and food.

When: Sept. 30.

Where: Linn Park, Birmingham.

Website: www.fiestabirmingham.com

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Photo courtesy of Birmingham Public Library

Eat Drink Read Write, Birmingham

What: This annual literary celebration of food, beverages, books and authors includes a cooking demonstration from the award-winning Wenonah High School Culinary Arts Program, a Bards & Brews spoken word poetry slam, and food stories and "off menu" dishes from some of the chefs at Birmingham's new Pizitz Food Hall.

When: Oct. 1-10.

Where: Birmingham Public Library and other venues.

Website: www.bplonline.org/eatdrinkfest

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Photo courtesy of Smoke on the Water

Smoke on the Water, Guntersville

What: This Alabama BBQ Association and Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned backyard barbecue competition is held on beautiful Lake Guntersville every October and is the primary fundraiser for the Georgia Mountain Volunteer Fire Department.

When: Oct. 7.

Where: Lake Guntersville State Park, 24 State Campground Road, Guntersville.

More info: www.facebook.com/Smoke-on-the-Water-Guntersville.

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Photo courtesy of Alabama Festival of Flavor

Alabama Festival of Flavor, Foley

What: Sixth annual Foley street festival features various dishes from local chefs and restaurants, as well as specialty wines and craft beers.

When: Oct. 7.

Where: Downtown Foley.

Website: www.alabamafestivalofflavor.com.

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Photo courtesy of National Shrimp Festival

National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores

What: Forty-sixth annual celebration of Coastal Alabama's favorite crustacean includes a food boardwalk where dozens of vendors offer just about every kind of shrimp dish imaginable, as well as crawfish and crab claws and non-seafood selections. The event also includes four days of live music on three stages.

When: Oct. 12-15.

Where: Along the beach in Gulf Shores.

Website: www.myshrimpfest.com.

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Photo courtesy of Taste of Hoover

Taste of Hoover, Hoover

What: Sample dishes from some of Hoover's favorite restaurants, bakeries and caterers.

When: Oct. 12.

Where: Aldridge Gardens, 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover.

Website: aldridgegardens.com

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Photo courtesy of Grace Episcopal Church, Anniston

Lobsterfest, Anniston

What: Twenty-first annual lobster celebration benefits Habitat for Humanity of Calhoun County. Cooked and live lobsters available for eat-in or take-out.

When: Oct. 21.

Where: Grace Episcopal Church, 1000 Leighton Ave., Anniston.

More info: www.graceanniston.org/lobsterfest.

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Press-Register file photo | Kate Mercer

Elberta German Sausage Festival, Elberta

What: This semi-annual festival, which is held in the spring and fall each year, is sponsored by the volunteer fire department in the small Baldwin County town of Elberta and features about 6,000 pounds of Elberta's famous sausage served with sauerkraut, as well as live music and arts and crafts.

When: Oct. 28.

Where: Elberta Town Park, 13052 Main St., Elberta.

More info: www.elbertafire.com/sausage-festival.

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Photo by Shelley Patterson

Oyster Cook-Off & Craft Beer Weekend, Gulf Shores

What: At the ultimate beach party, festival-goers may sample oysters from more than 60 chefs and restaurants, sip on dozens of craft beers, listen to great bands, attend cooking demos, and take part in an oyster-shucking contest.

When: Nov. 3-4.

Where: On the beach in Gulf Shores.

Website: www.hangoutcookoff.com.

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Photo courtesy of Alabama Pecan Growers Association

Alabama Pecan Festival, Mobile

What: This three-day family-oriented celebration is a major agricultural-tourism event for the Alabama Pecan Growers Association, and activities include carnival rides, arts and crafts, and a Sunday gospel show.

When: Nov. 3-5.

Where: 5055 Carol Plantation Road, Mobile.

More info: www.alabamapecanfestival.com.

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Photo courtesy of National Peanut Festival

National Peanut Festival, Dothan

What: The 10-day National Peanut Festival honors local peanut farmers and celebrates the harvest season in the southeast Alabama city that's known as the "Peanut Capital of the World." The event includes amusement park rides, livestock shows, concerts and, of course, tons of peanuts.

When: Nov. 3-12.

Where: National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, 5622 U.S. 231, Dothan.

Website: nationalpeanutfestival.com.

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Photo courtesy of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Brookside

St. Nicholas Russian/Slavic Food Festival, Brookside

What: One hundred-and-twenty-year-old church in rural Jefferson County celebrates its Russian heritage with such dishes as dumplings, meat pies and kolbasa and kraut.

When: Nov. 4-5.

Where: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Brookside.

Website: www.stnicholasbrookside.org

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Photo courtesy of World Food Championships

World Food Championships, Orange Beach

What: Billed as the "Ultimate Food Fight," this six-day event is like the World Cup of food competitions, an international cooking contest featuring chefs and home cooks from around the U.S. and from more than a dozen countries. Guests may indulge themselves and sample the dishes in such categories as burgers, bacon, barbecue, chili, seafood, steak, sandwiches, and desserts.

When: Nov. 7-12.

Where: The Wharf, Orange Beach.

Website: worldfoodchampionships.com.