Pawpaw Festival returns to Hunter's Ridge Winery Sept. 19-20

Unless you are an enthusiastic fan, you likely do not spend much time pondering the nuances of a pawpaw. However, that is certainly not the case here in Washington County! The fruit has inspired an entire festival that is returning for its second year this weekend.

Hunter’s Ridge Winery, 9945 E Garrison Hollow Rd, will host the annual Pawpaw Festival on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm both days.

Local vendors with handmade goods will set up in the field behind the winery, and a food truck will be on site as well. Organizers say they are still gathering pawpaw-related items for the weekend and that the festival is meant as much to introduce the fruit to newcomers as it is to sell it.

“Many people who’ve lived here their whole life never knew we have a native fruit that tastes like bananas growing throughout the area,” said the winery in a post.

For those that do not know what a pawpaw is, it is the largest edible fruit native to the United States. It has a custard texture and a flavor that is comparable to banana, mango, and pineapple. Peak season in our area typically runs from late August into October. Due to the soft nature of the fruit and how easy it is to bruise, it is rarely found in grocery stores. This makes local festivals and farms the ideal opportunity to sample and shop for pawpaw fruit.

Below is the finalized vendor and entertainment list for the weekend:

Baked/Food Products:

Rumary Cakes - Rum Cakes

Rooted in Grace - Baked goods

Momma Made - Protein balls, baked goods, towels, charcuterie boards

Olivia's Kitchen - Breads, cookies

Chastitys mini cookie cakes - Mini cookie cakes

Dasha's Flour and Farm - breads, rolls, cookies

Crafts:

Rich Pruske Woodburning - Wood crafts and bead art

Firefly Farm - Natural Tallow and herbal products

The Propagation Station - Plants (Sunday Only)

PermaLinx - Permanent Jewelry

Creations by Linda - Cork art, yarn and crafts

Blessed Nest Creations/The Backyard Florist - Wreaths, Florals and holiday decor

Brighten My Day Candles - Soy Candles

Silky Chicks Bubbles and Butters - Lotions

Scentsy - Scentsy products (Saturday only)

Pandora's Brooms - Broom Art

Live Out Loud - Mineral/Rock Art

Uplifting Laser Creations - Mineral/Rock Art

Dark Side of the Witches Wardrobe - Witchy Wardrobe Items

Skelly Bones -  Eclectic bone art

Needlenook Décor - Yarn crafts

A Beautiful Mess - Grapevine wreaths

Solsberry Press - Tshirts and jewelry 

Nature's Blends by Charity - Lotion's, etc

Candles by Cheri - candles

Chasin Dreams - woodwork, antiques 

Jaime's Crafts - sewing, yarn, sweaters, towels, hats

Alex Spellman Blacksmith - forged iron crafts

Grace's Garden - Tropical houseplants, hand painted cement pots

Leota Popcorn Company - locally raised popcorn, salts and flavoring 

Cosmic Creations - Tie-dyed Tshirts, etc.

Arts:

Mel Calvin's Artistry -  Paintings/Other artwork

Food and Beverage:

Nicole's Coffee - Iced coffee (Saturday Only)

Double Dipped - Ice cream, fruit dessert, and floats

Dock Seafood Concessions 

Bright-n-Crow Coffee - coffee (espresso)

The Thirsty Hippie - sodas, teas, coffees

Entertainment:

Poetry Reading

Dance/Hula

Animal Shelter Donation Box

Awareness Washington County Silent Auction table

Paw Paw Vendors

Come out to Hunter’s Ridge Winery this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm for all the fun you can handle centered around the delicious pawpaw fruit!