Gluten-free isn't always easy in this house, so when I heard about the Wicked Gluten Free Expo & Food Festival at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, we had to go. It turned out to be one of our favorite outings of the summer.

What the Festival Is All About

This event brought together over 110 vendors, all vetted and celiac-safe, filling the Expo Center with bakeries, snack brands, food trucks, and full meals. Every single thing at this festival is gluten-free, which meant we could just walk around and try whatever caught our eye without asking a single question first. For a gluten-free family, that kind of freedom is rare, and it made the whole day feel a little bit magical.

Why We Waited for Happy Hour

We planned our visit around the festival's happy hour window, and it was the right call. Adult admission was slashed in half during that time, and kids under 12 are always free, which made it an easy yes for our family.

Our Favorites From the Day

A few things stood out enough that I'm still thinking about them.

The Tommy Pickles Pickle on a Stick was an instant favorite. It's exactly as fun as it sounds, and it disappeared fast.

We also stood in line for treats from The Happy Mixer, a local gluten-free bakery that's become a favorite in this area. The wait was worth it.

And we ended our visit with ice cream from a vendor serving it up with gluten-free cookie dough mixed right in. It was the perfect way to close out an afternoon of sampling our way through the whole hall.

Why This Mattered to Us

Festivals like this remind me how far the gluten-free world has come. Ten years ago, an event with this many options in one place would have been hard to imagine. Now it's one of the largest gluten-free festivals in the state, and it's happening right here in our backyard.

If your family manages gluten-free life too, keep an eye out for the next one. It's worth building a whole afternoon around.

Shannon Hall is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty specializing in Blue Bell and the surrounding Montgomery County communities. She is a mom, a lifelong Montgomery County resident, and someone who genuinely loves helping families find their place in this community. Contact Shannon at homewithhall.com.