Freedom Food Festival

Event Description

On July 3, 2026, Main Street in downtown Lexington is converted into a community street and music festival featuring live music, beer/wine sales, desserts, and a tasty July 4th picnic-style cook-off competition. Proceeds benefit participating local non-profits.
FREE admission. Rain or Shine. 

TICKETS

Individual "Cook-off" Meal TicketsPre-purchase: $20 each
(Pre-purchase online pricing end July 2, 2026 at 11:59pm.)

Day of Event: $25 (cash or credit)
(Day of Event online pricing starts July 3, 2026 at 12:01am.)

1) Purchase tickets online and bring your QR Codes (printout or digital) to a food tent of your choice.
2) Purchase meal directly at a food tent with cash or credit card.

Reserved Tables
Pre-purchase ONLY: $300
Reserved Tables are located in the general seating area. Includes 8 meal tickets.
(Sales end June 28, 2026.)

BANDS

2026 Bands

The Late Night Stumblers (5:15-6:15pm)
Mason Via (6:45-8pm)
Cordovas (8:30-10pm)

MENUS

COOK-OFF MEALS
Boxerwood Education Association + Lexington Catering Company
Blue Heron Cafe Spicy Fry Noodles topped w/ Savory Grilled Tofu, Zesty Lime Asian Slaw
Celebrity Chef: Laurie Macrae

Community Table of Rockbridge + Lexington Catering Company
Grilled Chicken, Peach Chutney, Corn Fritters, Summer Slaw
Celebrity Chef: Tammy Reid

Friends of Natural Bridge State Park + C.H.E.F.S. Catering
Virginia Whiskey & Ginger Pulled Pork on a Pretzel Roll w/ Crispy Onion Straws + Alabama White BBQ Sauce, Maine Lobster Mac & Cheese, Tennessee Hillybilly Slaw, Watermelon Wedge
Celebrity Chef: Jim Jones

Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity + Lexington Mercantile
Smoked Pork Belly, Asian Slaw, Route 44 Chips, Berry Salad
Celebrity Chef: Lynne Johnson

Rockbridge County High School Baseball Team + Pure Eats
1/4Pound Angus Burger topped w/ Cheddar or Blue Cheese, Caramelized Onion & Garlic Aioli, Deviled Eggs, Mammaw's Potato Salad, Donut Holes
Celebrity Chef: Coach Travis Roadcap

Rockbridge SPCA + El Muchacho Alegre
Beef & Chicken Tacos, Nachos w/ Ceviche, Rice, Beans
Celebrity Chef: Tara Rodi

Yellow Brick Road Early Learning Center + Lexington Catering Company
BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Sweet Onion Marmalade, Roasted Potatoes, Tomato-Cucumber Salad
Celebrity Chef: Steve Landgraf

KID'S MEALS, DESSERTS & NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Hull’s Angels, Inc.
Kid's Meal: Hot Dog, Popcorn & Sno Cone served on a Frisbee

Friends of Rockbridge Swimming, Inc.
Dessert: Assorted Pies & Homemade Ice Cream

Team Na-Na Sports
Water + Non-alcoholic Beverages

ALCOHOL SALES

Brew Ridge Tabls
Haywood's
Heliotrope Brewery
Juniper Lounge
Pronto Gelateria
Southern Inn Restaurant
TAPS

SPONSORS

With sincere gratitude to CornerStone Bank for being the PRESENTING SPONSOR for this year's festival—thank you for helping bring family, friends and neighbors together to celebrate Virginia's 250th Anniversary in downtown Lexington!

Thanks to our generous 2026 Sponsors for supporting live music, local culture and community. And a huge shoutout to the Volunteers who show up early, stay late, and do all the important things in the background ensuring festival goers have great time!

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