The numbers of Williamsburg Harvest Celebration speak volumes.
10 days. Nearly 40 events. Three localities.
“The whole event is centered around promoting the bounty of Virginia and Virginia artisans and farmers and fishermen and watermen,” said Cindy McGann, executive director of the celebration. “There’s so much in this region.”
And in its second year, the Williamsburg Harvest Celebration hopes to continue growing an event that drew nearly 3,000 attendees in 2015.
The celebration involves many moving parts, but it was born from the vision of Williamsburg Winery founder Patrick Duffeler, McGann said. Turning the vision to reality required the collaboration of James City and York counties, the city of Williamsburg and the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance.
With 24 events in 2015, the celebration pulled some existing events under its umbrella. One was the annual Jamestown ChowderFest, presented this year by CultureFix.
The ChowderFest, in its fifth year, will kick off the 2016 Williamsburg Harvest Celebration Friday evening, with unlimited chowder tastings from more 12 local restaurants and vendors and drinks from local establishments, too. In that way, ChowderFest is a fitting start to the celebration.
“It fit really well into what their mission was,” said Steve Rose, CultureFix director.
Beyond bringing back local favorites, McGann said the return celebration includes an increase in collaborative events and educational emphasis. For example, the Oyster Roast at Yorktown’s Freight Shed is not just a time of oyster sampling, but also a space to learn more about Virginia’s Oyster Trail.
In everything, the celebration explores the continuing bounty of the place where it all began. “There is no more authentic place in the country to host a farm-to-table event than Williamsburg,” McGann said.
Last year, the celebration raised $2,000 for local charities, and the event will continue this year its fundraising efforts for Meals on Wheels, FISH, the Fresh Food Fund and Southern Foodways Alliance.
To purchase tickets, visit williamsburgharvestcelebration.com.
Bridges can be reached by phone at 757-345-2342.
Celebration events
Chowder Fest
– Taste chowder from more than 12 local restaurants, dance to BJ Griffin and The Galaxy Groove in a heated tent. 6-9 p.m., Nov. 4. Jamestown Beach Event Park, 2205 Jamestown Road. $36.
Williamsburg Farmers Market
– Browse more than 30 vendors of locally grown produce, seafood and more. 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Nov. 5 and 12. 402 W. Duke of Gloucester St. Free.
Cooking Demos on DoG Street
– Busch Gardens’ Justin Watson (10:30 a.m.), Waypoint Seafood’s Stephen Perkins (11:30 a.m.) and a guest chef (12:30 p.m.) prepare an item in the demo tent at Nov. 5 farmers market. Free.
Anvil Family Fish Jamboree
– Feast on fried flounder and more from Uncle Russ’ Dockside Seafood Market, while enjoying music by Merritime. Big Island Aquaculture, York River State Park, Waller Mill Park and JCC Fire Department also present. 1-4 p.m., Nov. 5. Anvil Campground, 5243 Mooretown Road. $20-$28.
Breakfast in Williamsburg Inn’s Regency Room
– Includes choice of breakfast dishes, juice or coffee, tax and gratuity. 7:30-10:30 a.m., Nov. 6 and 13. 136 E. Francis St. $29.75.
The Cycling Shepherd and his Flock
– Join shepherd and cycling enthusiast Craig Rogers on a 30-mile group ride along Route 5 and Virginia Capital Trail, followed by brunch at Williamsburg Winery. 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Nov. 6. 5800 Wessex Hundred. $69.
Harvest Brunch Buffet
– Chef Brian Hines at Riverwalk Restaurant utilizes local seafood and produce and natural meats. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Nov. 6. 323 Water St., Yorktown. $34.50.
Sunday Brunch at Capriccio’s Ristorante
– Join Chef James Fischetti for five-star brunch offerings. 12 and 1:30 p.m., Nov. 6 and 13. 5201 Center St. $27.50.
MAD about Fondue
– Enjoy an evening of chocolate tasting. 6-8 p.m., Nov. 7. 204 Armistead Ave. $28.
Craft Beer Dinner at Water Street Grille
– Features a four-course tapas menu with brews from a guest Virginia Brewery. 6:30-9:30 p.m., Nov. 8. 323 Water St., Yorktown. $67.
Merchants Square Tapas Crawl
– Take a dining and drink tour of The Cheese Shop, Berret’s Seafood Restaurant and Hound’s Tale. 6-8:30 p.m., Nov. 8. 134 N. Henry St. $62.
Capriccio Ristorante’s Pizza Party for Two
– Join Chef Troy in creating your own pizza as he explains the process. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., Nov. 9. 5201 Center St. $43.75.
Music Behind the Meads
– Silver Hand Meadery founder Glenn Lavendar shares the songs connected to each of Silver Hand’s six meads. 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., Nov. 9. 224 Monticello Ave. $24.
Williamsburg Tasting Trail Brewery Tour
– Board a Kingsmill Resort Coach and visit Virginia Beer Company, Alewerks and Brass Cannon Brewery ending with lunch at Second Street Bistro. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 10. 401 2nd. St. $54.
Yorktown Tapas Crawl
– Enjoy a dining tour of Water Street Grille, Riverwalk Restaurant and Umi Sushi. 6-8 p.m., Nov. 10. 323 Water St., Yorktown. $62.
Café Provencal French Wine Dinner
– Taste the flavors of France in a five-course meal from executive chef Ian Robbins. 6:30-9:30 p.m., Nov. 10. Williamsburg Winery, 5800 Wessex Hundred Road. $115.
‘Flavors of Spain’ at La Tienda
– Four courses of tapas each paired with wine from various regions of Spain. 7-10 p.m., Nov. 10. 1325 Jamestown Road. $77.50.
Savor France Luncheon at Le Yaca
– A three-course lunch paired with wine. 12:30-2 p.m., Nov. 11. 1430 High St. $40.
Taste of Italy Wine Seminar
– Wine expert Carol Kolby takes you on a wine tour of Italy. 3-4:30 p.m., Nov. 11. The Freight Shed, 331 Water St. $38.
Bountiful Brews and Bites
– An outdoor festival featuring food trucks, craft beer, live music and fireworks. 5:30-9 p.m., Nov. 11. Jamestown Beach Event Park, 2205 Jamestown Road. $10-$15.
Guest Chef Dinner at Riverwalk Restaurant
– A guest celebrity chef joins Chef Brian Hines to prepare a meal with wines to match. 6:30-9:30 p.m., Nov. 11. 323 Water St., Yorktown. $92.
Craft Beer Sampling at Busch Gardens
– Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Das Festhaus with the new Brauhaus Craft Bier Room. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Nov. 11. 1 Busch Gardens Blvd. $47.
Yorktown Market Days
– The market will include two cooking demos by guest Chef Walter Staib of City Tavern in Phildelphia at 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. by The Freight Shed. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 12. Historic Yorktown. Free.
‘Blessing of the Bounty’ at Bruton Parish
– Copper Fox Distillery owner Rick Wasmund invites farmers, brewers, chefs, watermen and more to pariticipate in a blessing led by Bruton Parish rector Chris Epperson. 12:30 p.m., Nov. 12. 331 W. Duke of Gloucester St. Free.
Blend Like a Winemaker Challenge
– Compete to create the best blend possible from a selection of wines chosen by the Williamsburg Winery wine-making team. 12-3 p.m., Nov. 12. 5800 Wessex Hundred. $74.75.
Virginia’s Grateful Spirits at Copper Fox Distillery
– Southern chefs prepare signature dishes using Edwards Virginia Smokehouse products. Whisky cocktails and live music also available. 2-5 p.m., Nov. 12. 901 Capitol Landing Road. $65.
Alewerks Cask Celebration
– Savor authentic cask ale with some modern twists. Food trucks and live entertainment featured. 5:30-9 p.m., Nov. 12. 197 B Ewell Road. $11.50-$34.50.
Masters of Taste Sommelier Challenge
– Features three renowned sommeliers, five courses and 15 world-class wines, as the somms compete for Master of Taste title. 6-9 p.m., Nov. 12. Williamsburg Winery, 5800 Wessex Hundred. $172.50.
Taste of Spain brunch at La Tienda
– Taste two Spanish brunch courses of tapas paired with coffees and breakfast cocktails. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Nov. 13. 1325 Jamestown Road. $35.
Distinction Magazine’s Oyster Roast at The Freight Shed
– Features oysters from all eight regions in Virginia with oyster growers on hand. 1-4 p.m., Nov. 13. 331 Water St., Yorktown. $63.
Whiskey Seminar at Taste Studio
– Meet Lew Bryson, blogger and author of Tasting Whiskey, and sample six whiskeys. 2:30 and 4 p.m., Nov. 13. 136 E. Francis St. $45.
