Sat, Aug 22
|Samuel D. Outlaw Blacksmith Shop
3rd Annual Shoebox Lunch Festival
Enjoy a morning 5K Run/Walk, live music by Willie C. & the Gang, performance by TACA, blacksmithing demonstrations, traditional African dance, family activities, and great food as we celebrate African American history, culture, and community on Virginia's Eastern Shore.
Time & Location
Aug 22, 2026, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Samuel D. Outlaw Blacksmith Shop, 5 Boundary Ave, Onancock, VA 23417
About the event
The Shoebox Lunch Festival is an annual celebration of African American history, culture, and community hosted by the Samuel D. Outlaw Blacksmith Shop Memorial Museum in Onancock, Virginia. The festival honors the legacy of Samuel D. Outlaw, a skilled Black blacksmith, entrepreneur, and community leader whose shop served generations of Eastern Shore residents. Today, the restored Blacksmith Shop stands as a rare surviving example of an African American-owned trade business and a testament to the craftsmanship, resilience, and ingenuity of Black artisans.
At the heart of the festival is the story of the shoebox lunch. During the Jim Crow era, many Black travelers could not safely access restaurants, hotels, and other public accommodations. Families often packed meals in shoeboxes or similar containers before setting out on the road, ensuring they would have food when dining options were unavailable or unsafe. The shoebox lunch became a symbol of resilience, self-reliance, and determination…
Tickets
Shoebox Lunch Meal Ticket
Sale ends
Aug 22, 3:00 PM
One traditional Shoebox Lunch — fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, a slice of pound cake, a fruit cup, and a beverage. A taste of history, served with pride.
$20.00
+$0.50 ticket service fee
Total
$0.00