Rassawek Spring Jubilee Heritage & Wine Festival This Weekend

It’s finally here! Tomorrow kicks off the first annual Rassawek Spring Jubilee Heritage & Wine Festival! The weather looks great, low 80s on Saturday and upper 80s on Sunday! Don’t forget your sunscreen, hats and walking shoes!! Live music, wine tastings, children’s activities and traditional demonstrations and living history all weekend.

The details are in…. Saturday 10-6 and Sunday, 11-5. Rassawek is on the north side of Route 6/ 35 Mile Drive in western Goochland, a few miles before the town of Columbia. Visit www.rassawek.com for further details.

HERITAGE SHOW

 HILL TOP, GAZEBO & MUSIC STAGE

 4-H Club Livestock & Archery, Alpacas, Miniature Horses, Mutton Bustin’, Barnyard Animals, Horses & Carriages, Beekeeping Demonstration, Local Artifacts, Early American Demonstrations, Plein Air Artists Painting Demos

 FOOD

BBQ, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, Homemade Ice Cream, Milkshakes, Pecan Jacks, The Fudge and Sweet Shoppe

 GAZEBO-CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

Bird House Project, Old Time Games, Corn Truck, Exchange Hotel Museum, Demonstrations

 MUSIC STAGE

 SATURDAY 21st

11am-12pm Thirteen Generations

12pm-1pm-Studabee

1pm-2pm- Ridge Runners

2pm-3pm-The River City Band

3pm-4pm-Cary Street Ramblers

4pm-5pm-Dixie Ridge

 SUNDAY 22nd

11am-12pm-Statement

12pm-1pm-Grass Eclectic Company

1pm-2pm- Thirteen Generations

2pm-3pm-Good Natured Riot

3pm-5pm-Michelle Nixon and Drive

 TREE HOUSE

The hollow tree found in the Innsbrook area and was erected here this spring.

 SAYLOR CABIN, BUILT IN 1844

 The Saylor cabin was first cabin on the property in 2003, moved from St. Paul’s Chruch Road in Goochland.

 EXHIBITS AROUND SAYLOR CABIN

Hearth Cooking Demonstrations (Louisa Historical Society), Vintage Cook Stoves & Clothes Washing, Blacksmithing Demonstrations, Tobacco Display, Canning & Weaving Demonstrations, Rail Splitting Demonstrations, Rock Splitting Demonstrations, Trapping Exhibit & Demonstrations, Small Steam Engines

 WINE FESTIVAL

 CHEROKEE CABIN & GREENHOUSE

 The Cherokee cabin was second cabin on the property, moved from Cherokee Road in Richmond, VA. The Cabin was originally built in 1910 and moved to Rassawek in 2006. This cabin was obtained from the Brisco Guy family.

 The Greenhouse is from James Madison’s Montpelier, it is a 1910 Lord Burnham Greenhouse. Stories and Tales will be playing periodically throughout the day inside the cabin, a documentary of local people.

 WINERIES

Byrd CellarsWinery, Grayhaven Winery, Saude Creek Winery, Mattaponi Winery, New Kent Winery, First Colony Winery

 FOOD

Chocolates by de Rochennet Chocolatier, The Bakery Farmville, Grapevine Restaurant

www.35miledrive.com

Discover Goochland’s 35 Mile Drive

 

 

 

Discover the 35 Mile Drive Wine Trail

 

What is 35 Mile Drive? Literally 35 Mile Drive is another name for River Road West, a scenic Virginia byway in the Richmond, Virginia area. The stretch of road in question runs 35 miles through Goochland County. Some highlights from the road….things to do, places to see, right in Richmond’s back yard.

Let’s start at the Henrico/Goochland county line and head west.

Tuckahoe Plantation- Thomas Jefferson’s boyhood home. He attended the one roomed school house still there and open to visitors. Could it be that  TJ’s appreciation for architecture and domes was inspired by the domed schoolhouse ceiling? Like many a historic property, Tuckahoe is believed to have a few supernatural residents. A popular destination for filmmakers, you could say that Tuckahoe is Goochland’s Little Hollywood. Today, Tuckahoe has a farmer’s market on Sunday afternoons during the summer, selling their grass-few beef, eggs and other seasonal items.

Mother Mary of the Church Abbey- Since 1994, it has been the home of fifteen monks living in the Benedictine tradition. It is also houses the Shroud of Turin Center, a workshop destination for scholars and the faithful. There is a gift shop with monk-made items like sweets, jams, honey, textiles and a bookshop. Also, it is home of Benedictine Academy and the Bobby Ross Field.  Ross (class of ’55) is a famed football coach and inductee into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

Thistledown Alpacas- Goochland has a growing alpaca population. Several farms are open to the public.

Brookview Farm- A certified organic farm. 2007 Stewards of the Land, a national award by the American Farmland Trust! They sell their organic grass-fed beef through Lulu’s Local Food Co-op.

James River Work Center- The state farm. Home to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Greener Pastures Program. Rescued racehorses are given a second chance at life when their racing careers are over due to age, injury or performance. Horses are matched with offenders in a training program. Offenders graduate with a Groom Elite certification, giving them job skills to work in the horse industry. Many of the horses are available for adoption. It’s the only program of its kind in Virginia. Now home to 30 horses with 30 Groom Elite graduates! The TRF National President , Robin Williams, started the program and lives in Goochland.

You could say the state farm is Little Hollywood West. HBO’s John Adams was filmed here. Boston harbor and Braintree still sit waiting for a sequel perhaps on the Powhatan side.

Tanglewood Ordinary- A historic property family-dining Southern style! Fried chicken, anyone? Don’t miss their collection of Post magazines.

Tucker Park at Maiden’s Crossing- Goochland’s newest river park in development. Will be the site of a music ampitheater, birding platforms, trails, fields and primitive boat launch.

Brightly Bed & Breakfast- Historic B&B, one of only two in Goochland. Beautiful gardens.

Nadolski’s Butcher Shop- Specialty boutique butcher with locally sourced meats, specialty items, sausages, wine, beer and cheese. Home of many special events.

Goochland Courthouse- Built in 1826 by Cumberland builder Valentine Parrish and Dabney Cosby (a Staunton brickmason who had worked for Thomas Jefferson at UVA.) TJ’s influence is seen in the architectural details including the Tuscan portico, full Tuscan entablature, temple form and color scheme of red brick and white trim. Did you know, the brick wall was built around the complex to keep out wandering cattle!

White Hawk Music Cafe- Goochland’s musical metropolis! Combines music education (over 100 students in guitar, piano, voice, banjo, mandolin) with live performances and cafe food. A gathering spot with pickin’ parties every Thursday night, open mic on Tuesdays, and live music on the weekends.

Orapax- 700 acre hunting preserve for quail and pheasant. Customers come from over 39 states and six countries!!

Rapalee Taxidermy- Showroom open to the public, see dynamic mounts of over 100 animals from around the world.

Byrd Cellars Tasting Room- Sample wine from three local vineyards. Part of the 35 Mile Drive Wine Trail which includes Grayhaven Winery, Windsong Winery & Byrd Cellars.

Rassawek- Stunning property, home to the Spring Jubilee Heritage & Wine Festival May 21-22. Vineyard (Byrd Cellars) and village of reclaimed structures with historical value. Available for private rentals. Can see three counties and the James River corridor from the gazebo (formerly of 6th Street Marketplace!) Two restored log cabins, James Madison’s Montpelier greenhouse (now the wine tasting room,) music pavilion, ponds and trails. Named for the original Monacan Indian settlement along the river nearby.

Visit www.35miledrive.com

Spring Jubilee Ticket Treasure Hunt

The Spring Jubilee Heritage & Wine Festival at Rassawek in Goochland County will be May 21-22.  Enjoy Byrd Cellars and six other Virginia wineries, a variety of music stages including bluegrass, old time, blues and country, traditional arts and crafts, antique cars and farm equipment, fishing derby, wholesome food, early American homesteading demonstrations including hearth cooking, canning, spinning and bee keeping, 4H livestock show and children’s activites.

Tickets for the wine festival and heritage festival are $20 for adults/ $35 a couple. Tickets to the heritage festival only are $10. Children 12& under are free.

Follow us on Twitter (@35miledrive) to join in the ticket treasure hunt! Follow the clues to find your own tickets to the event compliments of the 35 Mile Drive Association! Stay tuned for the first clue.

www.rassawek.com, www.35miledrive.com

Get Out The Map!

Where else can you find fine arts and crafts, wine, specialty beer, live bluegrass music, alpacas, farm fresh produce and meats, General Cornwallis, a beagle, Halloween festivities and a scenic drive (ride) along River Road less than 30 minutes from Richmond!

 

 The 35 Mile Drive Courthouse Village Fair, Goochland, VA

Saturday, October 30 

Spend a day in the country at the Goochland Courthouse Village Fair this Saturday!

Put your joy in drive… all 35 miles!

See our event listing on www.virginia.org, www.richmond.com, www.whofish.org, and www.35miledrive.com

Only 3 days until the Goochland Courthouse Village Fair…

 

Spend the day in Goochland! 35 Mile Drive Courthouse Village Fair!

 Make a note….The children’s costume contest and party portion of the Monster Mash & Music Fest is from 4 pm to 5 pm. Starting at 5 pm (until close)  enjoy live music, wine and beer, coffee, smoothies, cafe food and Halloween festivities. Costumes encouraged! Visit www.whitehawkmusiccafe.com for more information.

See our event listing on www.virginia.org, www.richmond.com, www.whofish.org, www.35miledrive.com

Courthouse Village Fair Update

Only 12 days until the 35 Mile Drive Courthouse Village Fair! Here’s the latest scoop…

Saturday, October 30- Spend a day in the country, exploring the Goochland Courthouse Village on foot for a day of family fun and adventure! Pick up a map at any location below.

• Find farm fresh produce and products at the nationally ranked Goochland Farmers’ Market (12th in the country and the final market of the season) from 9 a.m. to noon. 2955 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063
• Shop for fine arts & crafts at Arts on the Lawn from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 2938 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063
• Visit with Lord General Cornwallis for a special historic-themed children’s program called “General Howe’s Dog.” Meet the famous beagle from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the Courthouse lawn.
• Experience Oktoberfest at Nadolski’s Butcher Shop from noon to 4 p.m. Wine, beer, food tastings, local producers, live bluegrass music. 2913 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063
• Shake a leg at Monster Mash & Music Fest at the White Hawk Music Cafe. Children’s costume contest and party from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Live music, refreshments and Halloween festivities until close.

See our listing on www.richmond.com , www.virginia.org and www.whofish.org under events/festivals/fairs.

35 Mile Drive Courthouse Village Fair- October 30, Goochland

The 35 Mile Drive Courthouse Village Fair

Saturday, October 30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Goochland, VA

Getaway to Goochland Courthouse Village and spend a day in the country at the 35 Mile Drive Courthouse Village Fair. Driving west from Richmond, enjoy the fall foliage and scenery on River Road West (aka 35 Mile Drive,) one of central Virginia’s most scenic drives through Goochland County.

Bring the kids, the dogs and and explore the Courthouse Village on foot (all .35 miles!)  With live music, food, wine, beer, art, history, farm fresh produce, animals, a beautiful outdoor setting and Halloween festivities, the fair offers something for every age and interest.

Courthouse Village Fair highlights include:

• Octoberfest at Nadolski’s Butcher Shop. 2913 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063, (804) 556-4888. Wine, seasonal brews, fine food and live bluegrass music!
• Arts on the Lawn. 2938 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063. Discover unique original art in a variety of mediums including painting, pottery, textiles, photography, glassware, etc. Local businesses and organizations also exhibit.    
• Goochland Farmer’s Market. Grace Episcopal Church, 2955 River Road West. Shop for farm fresh produce, meats, flowers, baked goods and other items at the nationally ranked and final market of the season.
• Monster Mash Music Fest. White Hawk Music Cafe, 1940 Sandy Hook Road. Goochland. (804) 556-3388. Costume contest and kids Halloween party from 4:00- 5:00. Live music, wine, beer and food that evening.

Cyclists and motorcycles welcome. Ride the 35 Mile Drive  starting at the county line at Henrico through Goochland to the town of Columbia. 70 mile round trip over scenic rolling hills. Points of interest include Tuckahoe Plantation, James River overlook and access at Tucker Park at Maiden’s Crossing (Rte 522,) the Historical Society, Brightly Bed & Breakfast, the Courthouse Village Fair (restaurants, shops, coffee cafe,) Orapax Hunting Preserve, Westview on the James river access and picnic spot, Rapalee Taxidermy, Celebrations Winery, Rassawek, Point of Fork and Columbia. For a complete list of  attractions and contact information visit our website at www.35miledrive.com

Interested in being an exhibitor at Arts on the Lawn? Contact aynsleyfisher@yahoo.com for an entry form and any additional information about the 35 Mile Drive Courthouse Village Fair.

The White Hawk Music Cafe is the current home of the 35 Mile Drive exhibit. Stop in to see the 18 original features which appeared in the Goochland Courier. www.whitehawkmusiccafe.com