New River PawpawFest '24: Complete Festival Guide
October 5th @ Nesselrod on the New
The 2nd annual New River Pawpawfest returns Saturday Oct. 5th to Nesselrod on the New with an absolutely stacked lineup of MUSIC, FOOD, ART, PLANTS, and, of course, Pawpaw! 100% of festival proceeds support local ecological restoration, Appalachian culture, and the festival longevity fund.
New River Pawpawfest ‘24 Music Lineup!
Drew Foust & the Wheelhouse | Whitney Mongé & Ben Balmer | Bunco | Solacoustix | Raistlin Brabson & Margo Macsweeney feat. the Handmade Music School | Breakfast at Noon | Ash Devine & Aaron Geller | Trio Flux & Bruce Coluccio | Bradley Steele | Emma Ruth Shirey | with special guest host Neal “Skieebo” Wyms!
Schedule of Events:
Meet the marvelous vendors of Pawpawfest!
Blue Ridge Goatscaping | Horner Acre Farms | Wood Thrush Native Nursery | Gabriella the Garden Sage | Draper Springs Nursery & Gardens | Ninebark Nursery | Virginia Dept. of Forestry | The Wilderness Road Museum | Trillium Candle Co. | Beans & Rice Inc. | Plenty! | The Handmade Music School | Sourced Press from SpringHouse Community School | The Whole You | Instill Mindfulness | Downey Dog Yoga | Renewal By Anderson | Feeding Appalachia | Nursery Natives | Long Way Brewing | Dobbins Hollow Winery & Cidery | River City Distillery | The Chocolate Spike | Johnny Ray’s Funnel Cakes | Empanadas Meraki | Jah’Kater Kitchen | Driftwood Catering
“Pies to Thrive” Community Bake-Off
The inaugural “Pies to Thrive” Community Bake-Off celebrates local bakers and heritage while raising food and funds for the co-organizers, Beans & Rice Inc. and Plenty! - food pantries that provide critical services to New River Valley residents, supporting local food security and sovereignty. Contest pie entries will be judged for a cash prize by a group of six community judge panelists, including the mayor of Pulaski the mayor of Radford city, and others (soon TBA!). Public Tasting Begins at 11:00 a.m.
Foods of the New River Pawpawfest!
Driftwood Catering | Empanadas Meraki | Jah’Kater Kitchen | Johnny Ray’s Funnel Cakes | “Pies to Thrive” Community Bake-Off | The Chocolate Spike | Pawpaw Planet
Free Pawpaw Tastings with Festival Host, Nursery Natives
12:00 - 12:30 p.m.📍 Veranda
2:15 - 2:45 p.m.📍 Veranda
3:45 - 4:15 p.m. 📍 Pavilion
Native Plant Nurseries of Pawpawfest
The Pawpawfest ‘24 Wellness Care-avan
Beverages & Spirits
River City Distillery | Long Way Brewing | Dobbins Hollow Winery & Cidery | Magnolia Sips: Gourmet Drinks | Coffee & Water available by donation in Veranda with Beans & Rice Inc. and Plenty!
Golden Hour
Shop all of your favorite vendors without the cost! From 11 a.m. - noon, interested visitors are welcomed to explore the Nesselrod grounds and participate in festival activities (all donations and festival proceeds directly support local ecological restoration). Golden Hour tickets are available here for pre-order after 6 a.m. on October 5th.
Festival Tickets available here 🎟️
Activities for all ages!
Meet the Goats with Blue Ridge Goatscaping
Color original artwork on native species, created by participating vendors
Join the Smokey the Bear raffle with Virginia Dept. of Forestry
Make a candle with the Wilderness Road Museum
Press cider with the Wilderness Road Museum
Learn the harmonica with Thor Hanes
Take a nature walk with the VA Dept. of Forestry
Learn from an expert vendor
Practice Yoga with The Whole You
Practice Yoga with Downey Dog
Practice meditation with Instill Mindfulness
Play a board games near the Pavilion
Dance to original music
Explore the Venue
Try a new local food or beverage
…to name a few…
Official Festival Coloring Book (coming soon!)
New River Valley Pawpaw Tasting Trail 2024
Are you celebrating Appalachian Culture Month?
If you’re in favor of recognizing the month of October as Appalachian Culture Month, please take 30 seconds to sign this petition through Change.org.
New River PawpawFest '23 Highlights
WFXR Fox Roanoke - Pawpaw Tasting & Pawpawfest (2023) Remix
Looking to restore your surrounding landscape with native plants? Nursery Natives proudly serves the New River Valley, and beyond! If you’re interested in scheduling a consultation this fall, contact us now by email.
Looking for some help with your business and marketing design? Feeding Appalachia proudly serves the New River Valley and beyond! Give us a shout by email with some of your story, and we’ll talk soon.
Coming this fall!
Growing Pawpaw From Seed: Insights & Methods
Exquisite Appalachian Winter Recipes
More Wild Edibles of Virginia
Are you interested in joining a New River Valley Community Cook Book collaboration and/or future community events? We would love to collaborate! Please send us an email.
Coming in spring ‘25!
The 3rd annual Radford Redbud Festival, hosted by Nursery Natives. Stay tuned for details!
Bisset Park Native Flora Restoration Project: A community project with Nursery Natives and the New River Conservancy. More info. coming this November.