Cleveland, Tennessee, hosts a fun, unique and totally unexpected food and art festival, Hot Slaw and Art Y’all! Hot Slaw is now the first official State Food of Tennessee and Cleveland is now the Hot Slaw Capital of Tennessee! The dish was invented at the Star Vue Theatre in Cleveland and is now a staple in the community, where it is served in more than two dozen local restaurants.

Hot slaw is a unique side dish or topping not familiar to many menus… UNLESS you are in Cleveland, Tennessee. The mustard, mayo, secret sauce concoction is famous and common around these parts, but that is apparently not the case elsewhere. Organizers plan to celebrate the community’s hot slaw heritage with the National Hot Slaw Festival, dubbed Hot Slaw and Art Y’all! The event is set for April 5, 2025 in Downtown Cleveland, Noon – 7 p.m. and will stretch from Central along Ocoee to Parker along First with the Courthouse in the center.

Check out the links for details on festival activities including live music, artist exhibitors, pop-up street performances, family games, contests, food vendors, and yes, HOT SLAW! 

2025 Entertainment

Courthouse Stage: Michael Cass and The Ridgerunners (Noon-1:30 p.m.), The Warman Trio (2-3:30 p.m.),  Slaw-Off Contests begin at 2 p.m. in the gazebo with winners announced on stage after the judging is complete at 3:30 p.m., Dexter Thomas Band ( 4:30-6 p.m.)

Police Stage: Monday Night Social ( Noon-1:15 p.m.), The Bobby Band (1:30-2:45 p.m.), Forever 13 ( 3:15-4:30 p.m.), Wilson & Cross ( 5-6:15  p.m.)

Parker Street Stage/TN Songwriters Stage: Fawley (Noon-1:15 p.m.), Joe-Joe Collins (1:30-2:45 p.m.), Collins Horton (3-4:15 p.m.),  Bad Tatoo (4-5 p.m.) 

The Hot Slaw Dog Eating Contest will begin on this stage at 6 p.m.

Chalk Artists

Enjoy the featured amazing chalk art of The Artwork of D. Ryan Snyder along with Isaiah Blayliss & Leah Richmond.

A tribute to Hot Slaw heritage!