“Chow Down”

April 6, 2010

Dept of Veteran Affair to Bring Mobile unit to Chow Down

MEDIA ADVISORY

MCGUIRE MEDICAL CENTER

The VA Attends Chow Down Food Festival

Mobile Outreach Program for
Veterans in Rural Virginia Communities

Program Director: Julie Beales, MD
Program Coordinator: Sharon Rhone

Mission: The mission of the Rural Health Initiative Program (RHIP) is to provide health education and health services to Veterans living in rural Virginia communities.

What: The RHIP team will be on hand to provide health education services and enrollment for VA benefits. Veterans should bring some identification, a copy of their DD-214 if possible and any current medications for registration and consulting.

How: Utilizing a team of nurses, technicians and pharmacists, the VA will bring health education services to the community. Some services offered will include eligibility determination and registration. The mobile team will also provide follow up consulting, and disease management services.

Why: Access to health services in rural and underserved areas creates barriers to proper health care. Less than 15,000 Veterans living in rural Virginia are currently enrolled for VA benefits and services. This initiative aims to improve access by taking services to the rural communities.

When: Powhatan’s Chow Down Food Festival

Saturday – April 10, 2010
11:00am

April 5, 2010

KIDZ-R-COOKIN at Chow Down Powhatan

Recipe for Quick Turkey Pesto Wrap

SEE WENDY HUET DEMONSTRATE MAKING THIS AT THE FOOD FEST
KIDZ-R-COOKIN

March 15, 2010

DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE PDF

“Chow Down” Food Festival Debuts in Powhatan on April 10

Powhatan County Fairgrounds Hosts New Event Celebrating Local Food

Powhatan, VA –The Powhatan County Fair Association, in partnership with the Powhatan County Parks and Recreation Department, announces its inaugural event, Chow Down in Powhatan ‐ the first outdoor food festival of the season. The Chow Down in Powhatan will debut during spring break on Saturday, April 10th from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Powhatan County Fairgrounds, located at 4042 Anderson Highway. General admission is free and so is parking.

“If you’re looking for something to do during spring break, then you’re invited to be a part of this festival. There is something for everyone.” says Runda Harris, Chow Down in Powhatan Festival Director, “Bring your family and a lawn blanket to enjoy the good music and food. It’s all for a good cause …helping the hungry and enhancing public spaces.”

The inaugural food festival showcases the county of Powhatan by celebrating the culinary delights of the central Virginia region from ethnic to the exotic and brings awareness to the battle against hunger. The event will highlight a variety of the region’s diverse restaurants, caterers, and street vendors, with diverse offerings such as BBQ, gourmet, soul food, seafood, and vegetarian.

“This first annual event is comprehensive,” said Festival Coordinator, LaTika Lee, “It will incorporate farm fresh, locally grown produce and other goods typically found at a farmer’s market, as well as hands-on cooking demonstrations, a booksigning by a cookbook author, and gardening & specialty food workshops.”
Event attendees will also have the opportunity to take part in a food drive campaign to help alleviate hunger. Festival goers who bring non-perishable items for the “Hungry to Help” campaign will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win cash prizes. The food donation will benefit the Central VA Food Bank.

There also will be informational booths, including the Center for Rural Culture, an artisan and crafters market where vendors will be displaying a wide assortment of jewelry, clothing, kitchen, food & wine accessories, and home décor.

Visitors can take a stroll on the grounds to explore the car, truck and motorcycle show, or discover the Powhatan High School Student Art Display, which will also be on exhibit.

In addition, Author and Popcorn Magazine publisher, Charlene Coleman, will sign her new cookbook, “Mothers to Daughters Cookbook” at 1 p.m.

Culinary experts will demonstrate recipes, gardening tips and cooking techniques throughout the day. Among the presenters will be:

• Wendy Huett, Kids R Cooking, hands‐on healthy cooking for children
• “Growing Your Own Garden”, Virginia Cooperative Extension
• “Growing Specialty Fruits and Vegetables in Virginia”, Virginia State University

Musical entertainment will be provided throughout the day by Rockitz, a non‐profit, grassroots organization dedicated to supporting Richmond musicians (www.rockitz.net). Performers will include:

1. 11:00 a.m. Ricky Allen
2. 11:30 a.m. Pam McCrathy
3. 12:00 p.m. Nitro 12:40 a.m. Greg Allen ("eclectoplasmacoustic folk'n rock")
4. 1:00 p.m. The Legend Band (Country, Southern Rock, Classic Rock)
5. 1:40 p.m. Pam McCrathy
6. 2:00 p.m. MuddGoose (Psychedelic Jam Rock) 3:40 p.m. Brooke Saunders
7. 4:00 p.m. Lost Souls
8. 4:40 p.m. Tabb Justis
9. 5:00 p.m. Sharron (National recording artist‐Vocalist/Clarinetist)
10. 5:30 p.m. Chris Branch
11. 6:00 p.m. Infamous
12. 6:40 p.m. Tabb Justis
13. 7:00 p.m. Simple Gizmo

The Chow Down in Powhatan Food Festival is presented by the Powhatan County Fair Association (PCFA), and is sponsored by the County of Powhatan Parks and Recreation, Discover Powhatan.com and EZ 100.5 FM and WGGM AM 820. In‐kind support was provided by Erik Weems Graphic Design & Websites, and Xzact Printing. A local bed & breakfast, The Inn at Three Bridge, is the official lodging provider.

For more information about the Chow Down in Powhatan Food Festival, please contact Kevin Myers, Director of Parks and Recreation at (804) 598‐1304, via email at kmyers@powhatanva.gov or visit the website at www.chowdownpowhatan.com.

The Powhatan County Fair Association (PCFA) is a non‐profit 501(c)3, volunteer‐run organization. We seek to be a community gathering place in Powhatan by providing a safe, year‐round multi‐purpose venue for all residents. The organization is dedicated to producing events, including the annual Powhatan County Fair, Harvest Fest Trunk or Treat and others that showcase and celebrate a wide variety of cultural, educational and recreation activities. Each year, proceeds go back into the community through programs that support seniors, holiday giveaways to needy families, and enhancements to the Powhatan County Fairgrounds.

March 8, 2010

NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT

"Chow Down" Food Festival To Launch Website

Powhatan, VA – The planning committee of the “Chow Down in Powhatan”, Powhatan’s premiere food festival, announces it has launched a new website. The website address is www.chowdownpowhatan.com and will be the official source for news and information about the upcoming event. The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 10th at the Powhatan County Fairgrounds, located at 4042 Anderson Highway. Vendor applications are still being accepted.

The "Chow Down" in Powhatan is a free, outdoor family event which celebrates local food and aims to increase awareness about the battle against hunger through the "Hungry to Help" food drive campaign. It is being presented by the Powhatan County Fair Association, in partnership with the County of Powhatan Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, call Kevin Myers, Powhatan County Director of Parks and Recreation, at 598-1304.

The Cause:

Did you know that donations to the Chow Down in Powhatan Festival benefit the food bank and goes toward enhancing public spaces?

Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities

Opportunities are available for the 2010 Festival. Introduce your products and services to thousands of interested attendees.

Email us for information, giving your company name, product, and website.

Volunteer Opportunities

If you would like to be involved in the exciting process of planning, publicizing, or helping on the day of the Festival, please Contact us! Many volunteers are needed for a wide variety of tasks.

Media

Contact us for high resolution photos and interviews.

Entertainment

Read our schedule of bands and other activities.

Sponsors and Exhibitors

See the Who's Who of food suppliers See our Sponsor and Exhibitor list.

Directions

How do you find the Chow Down Food Festival? It's easy! Read our Directions and Lodging page.