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The Freedom Food Festival, held in downtown Lexington on July 3, raised $39,550 that was distributed to 15 local non-profit organizations.
The event is a free Independence Daythemed street festival featuring for-purchase picnic fare and complimentary live entertainment. The festival has proven to be an excellent family outing while also raising funds for local nonprofits. This year, over 2,000 meals were sold.
Celebrity chef Shane Gonsalves and the Sweet Treats Bakery team took home the Golden Spoon by winning the Judge’s Choice award. Their meal was a Cuban-style roasted pork shoulder burrito with rice, beans and salsa verde, with nacho chips and cheese. Sweet Treats was paired with Vet First, Inc. The People’s Choice award – given to the non-profit serving the most meals – was Boxerwood Education Association serving celebrity chef Laurie Macrae’s famous spicy fry noodles and lime Asian slaw topped with savory grilled tofu. Macrae’s meal was also the 2023 People’s Choice winner, but paired with a different non-profit.
Awarding the coveted Golden Spoon to Sweet Treats Bakery were local first responders Buena Vista Police Department Auxiliary Officer Michael Walters, Rockbridge County Fire-Rescue Chief Nathan Ramsey and Lexington Fire Department Lieutenant Wes Harlow.
Serving as celebrity chefs for Freedom Food Festival were Macrae and Lexington Catering Company for Boxerwood Education Association; Jim Jones and C.H.E.F.S. Catering Co. for Friends of Natural Bridge State Park; Lori Turner and Natural Bridge Historic Hotel & Conference Center for Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath & Alleghany; Lynne Johnson and LexVegas Bistro for Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity; Michelle Watkins and Devils Backbone Outpost Tap Room & Kitchen for Rockbridge Area Transportation Services, Inc.; head coach Travis Roadcap and Pure Eats for the Rockbridge County High School baseball team; Ruben Showalter and Hog Back Mountain BBQ for Yellow Brick Road Early Learning Center; and Gonsalves and Sweet Treats Bakery for Vet First, Inc.
Non-profits providing kids’ meals, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks included Hull’s Angels, Inc.; Friends of Rockbridge Swimming, Inc.; and Team Na-Na Sports, respectively.
Sponsors of Freedom Food Festival were Austin Electrical Construction Inc., Bank of Botetourt, Bank of the James, BARC Electric Cooperative, Cattlemen’s Market, C.H.E.F.S. Catering Co., Clark Electric, Comfort Inn, CornerStone Bank, Devils Backbone Brewing Co., Edward Jones Financial Advisors, Farm Credit of the Virginias, First Media/3WZ FM/Big Dawg, Huffman Insurance Agencies, James River Realty, Lexington Prescription Center, Perkins & Orrison, Pure Eats, Randy Hostetter Excavating, Southern Inn Restaurant, Spencer Home Center, The Georges, The LGCC Heathens, The Wellpet Group and University Cleaners.
Festival organizers would like to give special thanks to the city of Lexington and Lime Kiln Theater for event support; to SJ McDonald, Will Reid and Love Canon for their lively entertainment; and to Ignite Performing Arts Center and Team Na-Na Hoops for their kids’ activities.
The Freedom Food Festival steering committee includes representatives from Rockbridge Regional Tourism, Main Street Lexington, the Chamber of Commerce Serving Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County, Southern Inn Restaurant, Pure Eats and The Melvin Corporation, along with other community members.
