Pawpaw Festival

In celebration of the park’s 10th anniversary, we are hosting Central Virginia’s most exciting new event, the Inaugural Pawpaw Festival. The festival will feature an array of local vendors with bites, brews, crafts, and critters. Throughout the day you can explore acoustic music performances, ranger-led programs, and animal encounters. Beverage service provided by Fine Creek Brewery. Admission is $5; children 12 and under free. Parking fee applies at all times.

So what is a pawpaw? This custardy tropical-tasting fruit is our nation’s largest native fruit. In Virginia, pawpaw trees grow in the Piedmont’s forested bottomlands and floodplains, which is why you’ll find them at Powhatan State Park! Pawpaw fruits are enjoyed by many species of wildlife and was a staple in the diets of wooly mammoths and giant sloths. Humans love pawpaws too – they have been cultivated by indigenous peoples and were popular among colonists.

If you are interested in becoming a vendor, email amelia.hulth@dcr.virginia.gov. Vendors featuring pawpaw and Virginia themes will be considered firstly. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Powhatan.

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