Let the Summer Fair and Festival Season Begin, with Wine and Chickens
So I went to one of the first festivals of the summer recently, a really cool one: The Spring Jubilee at Rassawek Vineyard in nearby Goochland County, VA. I found it special because it involved both wine tastings and a generous peek into real farm life. I grew up on a farm and I miss it all: the smell of the apple blossoms and newly mown fields, the planting and harvest, the sunshine, the family all working together. I miss the animals. So the chance to get out to one of the many fairs and festivals in Virginia with people I love, AND taste wine AND commune with my farm livestock buddies…in early June…is like a visit to heaven.
Rassawek (www.rassawek.com) is an intriguing place. It is a winery on a huge farm in the beautiful rural countryside of Central VA. What is amazing and unique in a state filled with beautiful farms and vineyards, is the owners’ commitment to preserving and honoring the land and its history.
Purchased in 2000 and planted with the vines that launched the winery, the owners set about seeking historic buildings slated for demolition, and salvaged and rebuilt them with an eye to authenticity. Visiting Rassawek is like a walk back in time, not just beautiful, but also deeply meaningful. This property is a labor of love, which I appreciate beyond measure, respecting as I do those who work and protect precious farmland.
The property now is a thriving farm and vineyard as well as a lovely venue for weddings and events. This year’s Jubilee celebrated Rassawek’s 7th anniversary. I singled out this festival because it embodies a wonderful mission. Here is what is says on the Rassawek website: The Rassawek Spring Jubilee celebrates the local, the handmade and the homegrown. We spotlight those people and their passion for craftsmanship and creativity, which contributes to strong communities, pride of place and heritage, and a vibrant culture where we live, work and play.
Here is what I saw at the Jubilee on this special Saturday in early June:
I saw lots and lots of people enjoying wine, and despite the lines and the waiting for tastings on the hot sunny day, everyone was in good spirits and patient, and no one was a stranger—wine is sort of a great equalizer.
I saw my beloved farm animals. I saw demonstrations of various farm and land-based interests: flax growing, processing and spinning; hearth cooking; knife making; wood working; alpaca raising; fly fishing; and hunting hounds. I saw young children riding by on proud tiny horses, regaled in a fashion honoring the American Indian tradition.
I saw artists and craftsmen creating and selling beautiful handmade work. I saw a truck housing two beautifully groomed calves, the “calf tour” roadshow for a Virginia creamery/dairy. I had to smile because I love, love, love cows, as anyone who knows me can attest: (Hence the host of Holstein patterned gifts and memorabilia that adorns my home, more than I ever wished or hoped for, in all honesty.)
I saw a whole lot of chickens, and that brought back memories. The farm where I spent my childhood was not a livestock farm, it was an orchard, but we did always have a flock of handsome chickens: a dozen laying hens and one very arrogant rooster just like this one. I know this guy! (pic of rooster). I was allowed to pick out this family as peeps at the local farm auction, and I always chose them for their varied pretty colors. None were plain white.
I saw my good friend sharing the day and a glass of wine with her new college graduate, a little girl I saw grow up, and marveled how time flies by far too quickly but often in the most beautiful way.
I saw an old-time working sawmill with a bunch of older men in overalls showing youngsters how this old equipment worked. I could have sworn I saw my dad there in that group. I have to catch myself, because my dad is no longer with us, but whenever I am on a farm like this, in my mind’s eye I see him and all his fellow farm dads that I grew up with, and I feel their spirit and appreciate their legacy.
But I digress. Back to the discussion of fair and festival. Rassawek’s Spring Jubilee was joyous, but you will find something unique to love at the many such events across the state in this magical season.
If you visit these websites, you can find a listing of the fairs and festivals around the state:
https://www.fairsandfestivals.net/states/VA/
https://www.virginia.org/directory/events/festivals/
https://www.virginia.org/summerfestivals/
If you are specifically interested in music festivals, go to:
https://www.virginia.org/musicfestivals/
Another good resource for fairs and festivals as well as any number of other fun stuff around Virginia, also check out:
http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/states/virginia/
Do you have a favorite fair or festival? Tell us about it…