LEXINGTON, Va. (June 23, 2023) – The Freedom Food Festival will transform Main Street in downtown Lexington into a street festival of food and music on Monday, July 3, 2023 from 5 until 10 p.m.
Freedom Food Festival is both an exciting evening street festival and a tasty fundraising event. Local chefs and restaurants are paired with non-profit organizations to create July 4th picnic-style fare. Festivalgoers support the non-profits by visiting the food tent of their choice and displaying their QR code to redeem a pre-purchased meal or by paying on-site by cash or credit card. Help spread the love to other participating non-profits by dropping cash into their tip jars.
- CHEFS Catering will prepare BBQ chicken leg quarters, Texas caviar, macaroni and cheese, and buttermilk biscuits to benefit Friends of Natural Bridge State Park.
- Pure Eats is paired with Rockbridge County High School Baseball Team to serve Wildcat beef burger sliders, potato salad, macaroni salad, deviled eggs, and donut holes.
- Southern Inn is at the helm with Blue Heron spicy fry noodles and lime Asian slaw topped with savory grilled tofu on behalf of ConnectionsPlus Healthcare + Hospice.
- Whipping up island shrimp rolls with coconut pineapple cilantro slaw and jasmine rice is Lex Vegas Bistro. Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity will benefit from those who love tropical flavors.
- CHEFS Catering is pulling double duty to prepare a meal to benefit Lexington Police Foundation. Their menu includes pulled Virginia pork with a signature sauce, brisket mac and cheese with bourbon sauce, cheddar cornbread, and a vinegar-based slaw.
- Yellow Brick Road Early Learning Center has a second team of Southern Inn folks on their side who are preparing their own version of pulled pork – a slow cooked Kentucky mustard slider served with a chilled 5 bean savory medley and marinated garden veggie salad.
- Sweet Treats’ chicken burritos with yellow rice, black beans, guacamole, hot green salsa, tortilla chips, and nacho cheese are sure to draw a hungry crowd for Project Horizon.
- Pork is what’s for dinner this year at Freedom Food Festival, and Devils Backbone Outpost will stiffen the competition with their entry of Gochujang Korean BBQ pork ribs, apple mint and cabbage slaw, grilled pound cake, and orange macerated strawberries. Their efforts benefit Rockbridge Area Transportation System, Inc. (RATS).
“Freedom Food Festival will once again feature DORA – a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area,” said Patty Williams, director of marketing for Lexington and Rockbridge Area Tourism. “DORA was very popular last year for festivalgoers who wanted to enjoy their restaurant-purchased alcohol outside, but within the festival boundaries. This year we have Heliotrope Brewery, Brew Ridge Taps, Southern Inn, Juniper Lounge, and The Patton Room on board, which means patrons will have many options.”
At the intersection of Main and Washington Streets a free concert will feature three renown bands. Matt Koziol is described by CountrySwag.com as “a true-blue country-rock artist that you are going to want to keep on your radar.” East Nash Grass is comprised of professional musicians who are highly sought individually. According to bluegrass musician Jerry Douglas, “the sound they make when they play together rivals that of any of their main gigs … the national high profilers better hang on tight.” Singer-songwriter Cris Jacobs has staying power, playing across genres to collaborate with greats like Phil Lesh and Ivan Neville. According to Mint Talent Group, “Jacobs is known for his mesmerizing live shows, where his improvisational guitar playing, powerhouse band, and deep reservoir of songs make each night a unique experience.”
Cook-off meal tickets and table reservations are available at FreedomFoodFestival.com. Tickets are $15 in advance (plus a surcharge) or $20 the day of the event. Reserved tables and a meal ticket for eight guests are $300 and must be reserved by June 26.
In addition to the cook-off meals, there are pay-as-you-go opportunities. Purchase kids meals from Hull’s Drive-In, desserts from Friends of Rockbridge Swimming, and non-alcoholic beverages from Team Na-Na Sports.
For more information go to FreedomFoodFestival.com.
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