Contact: Marion Horsley, (804)225-3820
January 29, 2009
www.vdacs.virginia.gov
It’s time to polish your knife and fork, pack your appetite, grab a state map, and start making plans to visit the numerous tasty and enticing Virginia food festivals scheduled for 2009. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has updated the list of events which is now available online at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/festival.shtml.
“Virginia provides ideal growing conditions for a variety of delicious foods and of course Virginians love to eat. That combination means there are plenty of opportunities to taste the bounty of the Commonwealth throughout the year,” said Todd P. Haymore, VDACS Commissioner. “Whatever your favorite Virginia food or flavor, there is probably a special event to celebrate it.”
For all things maple, head west during March for the Highland Maple Festival in Monterey and the Whitetop Mountain Maple Festival in Whitetop. Strawberry lovers can look forward to fairs and festivals during May and June in Roanoke, Virginia Beach, Sky Meadows State Park, Ashland and Bluemont. Hungry for the delectable taste of pork? Try Emporia in June, Surry in July or Richmond in October for festivals devoted to the other white meat.
August is the month for fruit fanciers with blackberry events in Nelson County and Bluemont; peach festivals in Crozet, Winchester, Bluemont and Patrick County; and watermelon festivals in Virginia Beach and Richmond. Celebrate pumpkins in October in Churchville, Hampton and Winchester. Enjoy oysters in Newport News and Chincoteague in October, and Urbanna and Reedville in November.
And there’s more. The festival list also highlights chili, chocolate, wine, beef, herbs, seafood, ramps (wild leeks), asparagus, dairy, ice cream, peanuts, cantaloupes, Cajun flavors, sweet corn, kielbasa, apples and garlic. It’s time to get your appetite primed and ready because the tastes of the Commonwealth are waiting for you.
The food festivities are listed online by month. Each listing includes the date, location, contact information and a link to the event Web site, if available. VDACS advises festivalgoers to call ahead for hours, directions, admission charges and other costs.
If your organization has planned a Virginia food oriented event that is not included, please send the details to olivia.wilson@vdacs.virginia.gov. There is no charge to list events.
