We are now at that annual end-of-summer sendoff/prelude to the autumnal harvest timeframe. It’s a transitional phase in which the peak production of summer staples is past its prime and more of those cooler, crisp fall favorites keep “cropping” up each day.
We all could name a fair share of familiar fall favorites, from apples to pumpkins, and other classic harvest-time hits. But what if I were to reveal a lesser-known albeit just as prevalent palatable pick that makes the list of seasonal staples to rejoice in this time of year? I am referring to the elusive pawpaw fruit.
Despite its relatively unknown and underrated nature, the pawpaw is surprisingly profuse throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Known as “Asimina triloba” in Latin, the pawpaw (sometimes spelled as “paw paw”) is the largest tree-grown fruit native to North America. Its green fruits can reach the size of a mango, and its internal, custard-like texture appears more akin to a tropical crop than one growing in the wilds of 26 states.
Owing to their short shelf life, you are not likely to find pawpaws for sale at your local market. Fortunately, though, folks in the Mid-Atlantic have the honor of attending various festivals and seasonal celebration events centering around this most exotic edible. Here are my top 10 picks for upcoming local pawpaw festivals to explore during the 2024 season.
In Maryland
PawPaw Fest
Frederick County’s famed annual PawPaw Fest returns for its ninth season on September 21. Located at Longcreek Homestead, the daylong celebration will run between noon and 5 p.m., welcoming all ages and interests to delight in the ongoing activities and events featured throughout the festival. The lineup includes fruit tastings, forest-led tours, educational lectures and talks, onsite ice cream and jam-making, live music, and loads of hands-on activities.
Click here to discover more about PawPaw Fest 2024 or to purchase tickets.
Harford County PawPaw Celebration
Harford County’s own eagerly anticipated PawPaw Celebration returns to Bloom’s Broom Dairy on September 28. Made possible by the Susquehannock Wildlife Society, the event will run from noon to 6 p.m., offering attendees a rare and unique opportunity to experience both pawpaw fruit tastings and concocted goods, including bakery items, lemonade blends, and their famed specialty ice cream, churned out fresh and onsite. Also, while supplies last, guests have the chance to purchase pawpaw fruits, seeds, and even tree starts!
The Harford County PawPaw Celebration is free to attend, but prospective visitors should take note that the goods go quickly and plan to arrive early. Visit the event link here for all additional details.
In Pennsylvania
Woodford Apple & Pawpaw Festival
Folks in Philly get the chance to take part in a two-for-one festival celebration when the 15th Annual Woodford Apple & Pawpaw Festival returns on September 21. As part of the Philadelphia Orchard Project’s ongoing free public events, this year’s festival will be held onsite at Woodford Mansion from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come out and enjoy fresh cider, unique pawpaw and apple tastings, pumpkin painting, herbal honey workshops, forest tours, and more. And don’t forget about the delicious pawpaw ice cream to be dished up as well.
Visit the link to learn more about this event and others made possible by POP.
Duncansville PawPaw Festival
Mark your calendar for September 22, 2024. This is the date on which the first-ever Duncansville PawPaw Festival will be hosted at Duncansville Memorial Park. As part of Duncansville Community Days, the event hopes to inspire and educate the community on this esoteric, little-understood native fruit.
During the festival, which will run that day between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., you’ll get to enjoy a host of activities and endeavors, including trying the actual pawpaw fruit for yourself. Find out more about this inaugural pawpaw fest by clicking on the event link.
York County Pawpaw Festival
York’s longstanding pawpaw festival turns 20 this year. That milestone also comes with an expansion from the classic York Pawpaw Festival into the Wild & Uncommon Weekend at Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education. As a result, a series of events are slated to occur between September 26 and September 29, with the main headline event—the Wild & Uncommon Pawpaw Festival, happening on Saturday, September 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Again, events will take place on location at Horn Farm Center. Click on the website link to read a full listing of all the weekend events and for more details and descriptions.
In Virginia
Pawpaw Festival at Powhatan State Park
A new tradition premiered last year at Powhatan State Park as a fun-for-all family-oriented pawpaw festival. Kicking off its second season, this year’s event will take place on September 21, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Various locations throughout the park will host ongoing activities and events, including two races, live music, and so much more. You can even join in with ranger-led programs, like foraging for pawpaws out in nature. Loads of vendors will come out for the occasion, crafters and delicious food-related alike. And yes, you’ll get to try out profuse pawpaw offerings as well.
Admission to the Pawpaw Festival at Powhatan State Park will be $20 per vehicle. Annual pass holders pay $10 per vehicle. Click here to read more.
JBR Vineyard’s 5th Annual Paw Paw Festival!
JBR Vineyard’s will be hosting its fifth annual Paw Paw Festival on September 28 and 29 from noon to 5 p.m. on both days. Come on out for a fun folly that welcomes kids and dogs also, as you learn all about this lesser-known “tropical fruit” of the Appalachians while enjoying live music and more.
To discover more about the festival or to find out more about JBR Vineyard and all other happenings, visit the website.
New River PawpawFest
The New River PawpawFest in Radford County is also making a comeback for the 2024 season. This year’s festival will be on October 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., located at Nesselrod on the New. Made possible by Nursery Natives, the event is one laden with live music and entertainment, art and activities, plant sales, great food, and plentiful pawpaws.
Admission for the day is $23 a person. Read more about all other events and offerings throughout the day here.
In West Virginia
PawPaw Festival
The 2024 installment of West Virginia’s primary PawPaw Festival is taking place on September 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on location of the Paw Paw Municipal Park. A free-for-all engagement, you are cordially invited to come out for a day of fun educational offerings, pawpaw fruit, plant, and seedling purchases, tastings, and more. There will also be live music moon bounces, and other activities throughout the day. This year will also welcome in special guest speaker Neal Peterson of Peterson PawPaws.
Learn more about this year’s event on the site link.
West Virginia Pawpaw Festival
WVU Core Arboretum will play host to the 2024 installment of the WV Pawpaw Festival on Saturday, September 28, between noon and 5 p.m. Another free family-friendly event, the day promises a host of onsite happenings designed for all to enjoy. Not only will you learn about this prevalent yet largely unknown hidden gem among fruits, but you’ll get to sample some for yourself and then purchase plants and seedlings. National fruit growers and other “pawpaw professionals” will be on location as well, including expert and author Andrew Moore. Live music, food trucks, and other fun happenings are also part of the day’s slated agenda.
Click here for additional event details or for directions to WVU Core Arboretum.
These are just 10 examples of top-rated pawpaw festivals to be featured throughout the Mid-Atlantic this autumn. In addition to these, various area nature centers and other venues will be showcasing demos and other pawpaw-related activities and events. Be sure to check local listings for all other additional offerings.