Freedom Food Festival Kicks Off the 4th of July Holiday
SAVE the DATE for the 2022 FREEDOM FOOD FESTIVAL!
Main Street in downtown Lexington is converted into a community street and music festival featuring live music, beer/wine sales, desserts, and tasty July 4th picnic-style fare. FREE admission.
Fundraiser | Tickets | Food & Beverages | Alcohol Sales | Judging & Peoples Choice | Bands | Sponsors | Schedule + Map | FAQs
FUNDRAISER
This fundraiser pairs local celebrity chefs and restaurants with area Non-profits in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere. The Non-profits work hard to support our community, friends, family, and neighbors. Be GENEROUS and show some LOVE!
- Bring additional $$$ to support ALL of the participating Non-profits, not just the organization from which you are purchasing your meal.
- Purchase "People's Choice" tickets and show your support for your our Non-profits. It's the perfect time to make donations to great causes!
TICKETS
Individual "Cook-off" Meal Tickets
Pre-purchase: $15 (+$2.55 fee). Sales end July 2, 2022.
BUY tickets now!
- Bring a printout of your ticket purchase receipt OR be prepared to show your email receipt on your cell phone.
- Pick a food tent based on your favorite July 4th menu or based on the Non-profit you wish to support.
- Present your receipt. The QR Code must be scanned by the Non-profit food tent to redeem your meal.
- See FAQs for details.
Day of event: $20 (cash or credit)
- Purchase a meal directly at the Non-profit food tent with cash or credit card.
Reserved Tables
Pre-purchase only: $250 (+$16.85 fee). Sales end June 29, 2022.
Includes a reserved table in the general seating area; 8 meal tickets and 8 waters. See FAQs for details.
RESERVE your table now!
FOOD & BEVERAGES
Area Non-profits pair with local celebrity chefs and restaurants/kitchens/caterers for tasty July 4th picnic fare. Food will be served from 5-8pm, so come early!
Participating Non-profit + Kitchen "Cook-off" Teams
Boxerwood Education Association
Laurie Macrae + Southern Inn Restaurant
Cook-off Meal: Spicy Noodles, Lime Asian Slaw, Grilled Tofu
Rockbridge County High School Golf Team
David Miller + CHEFS Catering
Cook-off Meal: Smoked Chicken Thighs, Bourbon Baked Beans, Slaw
Jim Jones + CHEFS Catering
Cook-off Meal: Brats, Mac n Cheese, Grilled Corn on the Cob
Rockbridge Area Transportation System
Michelle Watkins + Devils Backbone Brewing Co.
Cook-off Meal: Backyard BBQ Bowl-Pulled Whole Hog, Mexican Street Corn Dip,
Crumbled Jalapeno and Sour Cream Cornbread, Hop Brined Pickles, DBB Juicy Magic
IPA Spiked Watermelon Ball
The Community Table of Rockbridge
David Faulds + The Community Table
Cook-off Meal: Chicken Salad Wrap; Fruit Salad, Chips
Yellow Brick Road Early Learning Center
Preston Perry + Lexington Golf & Country Club
Cook-off Meal: Texas Style Pulled Chicken Sliders, sweet & spicy sauce,
pickles on a Brioche Bun, Summer Veggie Pasta Salad
Lexington Police Foundation
Angela Green + Sweet Treats
Cook-off Meal: Pollo Enchilada with Mole Sauce, White Rice w Stewed Black Beans, Fried Plantains
HUNGRY? Order your "cook-off" meal tickets now!
Kid's Meals
Hot dog, popcorn & snow cone served on a frisbee ($7) will be available for sale by Hull's Angels, Inc. No tickets required.
Desserts
Homemade pies ($5 slice; $7 slice + 1 scoop ice cream) and ice cream ($3 single/$5 double scoop) will be available for sale by Friends of Rockbridge Swimming, Inc. No tickets required.
Non-alcoholic Beverages
Water ($2) and non-alcoholic beverages ($3–ice tea, lemonade, Gatorade, soda) will be available for sale by Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity and by Team Na-Na Sports.
Alcohol Sales
NEW for 2022—Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA)
Alcohol sales will be available at participating restaurants for both INSIDE and OUTSIDE consumption.
Participating Restaurants (see map below)
How It Works:
- Participating restaurants will check your ID and sell you a required Freedom Food Festival wristband for $3.
- Order the beverage of your choice. Options, pour sizes, and prices are set by the individual restaurants.
- Enjoy your beverage inside the restaurant. No outside alcohol permitted—please do not take your beverage to another restaurant for inside consumption.
- OR take your beverage outside and enjoy the festival!
- Beverages MUST be served in a restaurant branded container for outside consumption AND may only be consumed within the festival footprint*. Do not take alcoholic beverages past any sign that says, "No Alcohol Beyond This Point."
- Please sip responsibly.
* Alcoholic beverages must be consumed within the YELLOW Freedom Food Festival footprint.
JUDGING & PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Each team's meal will be judged "cook-off" style by local Veterans.
Judges
Jake Wilson: LTC (Lieutenant Colonel) - Army Reserve
Bernard Goodbar: Retired US Navy RMC (Radioman Chief), E7
Richard Hastings: Retired Navy Commander
People's Choice Award
Purchase (1) ticket for $1 or (7) tickets for $5 (cash only) to support the teams with a People's Choice Award.
"Cook-off" Judging and People's Choice ticket purchase and voting will be located at the Wells Fargo Plaza. Winners will be announced at 8pm—both receiving the coveted "Spatula Award."
BANDS
Music and stage arranged by Lime Kiln Theater.
Acoustic Syndicate: 5-6:30pm
Live music will kick-off with North Carolina-based ensemble Acoustic Syndicate led by the core trio of guitarist Steve McMurry and his cousins Bryon and Fitz McMurry on banjo and drums. Their sound engages rock sensibilities, tight songcraft, richly textured folk, progressive bluegrass, and punchy jam rock.
Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley: 7-8pm
Take a 15-time IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Dobro Player of the Year and a Tennessee-born guitar prodigy who made his Grand Ole Opry debut at the age of 11, and you have Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, a powerhouse acoustic duo that has electrified the acoustic music scene. Known for their white-hot picking, stone country vocals, Ickes and Hensley meld together blues, bluegrass, country, rock and other string band music of all kinds to form a signature blend of music that defies restrictions of genre.
49 Winchester: 8:30pm-10pm
Russell County, Virginia-based 49 Winchester is ready and roaring to break onto the national scene with its unique brand of tear-in-your-beer alt-country, sticky barroom floor rock-n-roll, and high-octane Appalachian folk. In addition to lead singer/guitarist Isaac Gibson, there’s also his childhood friend, bassist Chase Chafin, alongside other cronies—guitarist Bus Shelton, and Noah Patrick on pedal steel. “As we’ve aged and matured, our sound has gone from a softer place to this grittier, edgier tone that we have now,” says Gibson. “So, we’re trending more towards being a rock band instead of a country band. But, at the same time, I don’t think anybody’s ever known quite what to call it.” “Fortune Favors The Bold,” the band’s fourth studio album, marks its debut for Nashville’s New West Records—one of the premier labels for Americana, indie and rock acts on the cutting edge of sound, scope and spectacle.
SPONSORS
A special THANK YOU to our Sponsors! Without you, this event would not be possible.
Natural Bridge Historic Hotel & Conference Center
Devils Backbone Brewing Company
Perkins & Orrison
Spencer Home Center
SCHEDULE + MAP
5pm: Food Service + Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area opens; People's Choice Ticket Sales opens
5-6:30pm: Acoustic Syndicate
7-8pm: Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley
8pm: Food Service ends
8pm: "Spatula Awards" for best Cook-off Meal and People's Choice
8:30-10pm: 49 Winchester
10pm: Festival + Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area closes
FAQs
What does it cost to attend the Freedom Food Festival?
The festival is admission FREE!
- The public may enjoy watching the bands and sitting in the general admission area at no cost, and no tickets are necessary.
- Attendees who are Event Sponsors will have exclusive access to the VIP area, which requires a wristband for entrance.
- Attendees who have reserved a private table will find their marked table next to the VIP area.
- Reserved Tables, Cook-off Meals, Kid's Meals, Desserts, Non-alcoholic Drinks, Beer/Wine/Alcohol, and People's Choice tickets are fee based. Bring $...this is a fundraiser!
What do I need to bring if I bought a Meal Ticket online?
You'll need to bring a print out of your Eventbrite meal ticket/receipt with the QR Code, or be able to pull it up on your phone.
- If you purchased multiple meal tickets, print out copies so each person can take their ticket to the Cook-off tent of their choice.
- Take your meal ticket to the Cook-off tent of your choice—they will scan your receipt/QR Code and you claim your meal.
- Once the QR Code has been scanned the same number of times as the number of tickets purchased, the QR Code will become invalid.
Not into paper? Be prepared to show the meal ticket QR Code on your phone.
***However you choose to redeem your meal ticket, you MUST have a QR Code.***
What do I need to bring if I purchased a Reserved Table?
The individual who purchased the table will receive 8 individual Meal Tickets from Eventbrite via email by end of day Friday, July 1. Distribute those items to your guests accordingly. Waters will be on your table.
***However you choose to distribute your meal tickets, you MUST have a QR Code.***
Can I really carry my alcoholic beverage outdoors and drink it on Main Street?
YES! New for 2022 is the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). Alcohol sales will be available at participating restaurants for both INSIDE and OUTSIDE consumption. Just look for DORA signs identifying participating restaurants.
- Participating restaurants will check your ID and sell you a required Freedom Food Festival wristband for $3.
- Order the beverage of your choice. Options, pour sizes, and prices are set by the individual restaurants.
- Enjoy your beverage inside the restaurant. No outside alcohol permitted—please do not take your beverage to another restaurant for inside consumption.
- OR take your beverage outside and enjoy the festival!
- Beverages MUST be served in a restaurant branded container for consumption outside AND may only be consumed within the festival footprint*. Do not take alcoholic beverages past any sign that says, "No Alcohol Beyond This Point."
- Please sip responsibly.
Are coolers permitted?
No coolers or outside alcohol are permitted. Food and beverages may be purchased at cook-off tents or from local restaurants, and may be consumed within the Festival footprint.
Are dogs allowed?
We recommend leaving your fur baby at home enjoying the AC and a cold water bowl, away from the heat, blazing hot asphalt, large groups of people, and tempting food. If you choose to bring your dog, they must be leashed and well-behaved, and the owner must properly dispose of any waste.
Is the Festival kid-friendly?
Yes! Children are welcome to attend. Devils Backbone is hosting a Chill Zone with activities suitable for children. Kid's meals and desserts will be available for sale.
What if it rains?
This is a rain or shine event. We like to say there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing choices!
