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
What to Expect at This Year’s Festival
The 3rd Annual Shoebox Lunch Festival brings together history, culture, food, music, and community for a day celebrating African American heritage on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. This year begins with our inaugural 5K Run/Walk, followed by live music from Willie C. & the Gang, traditional African dance by the Tidewater African Cultural Alliance, and a live blacksmithing demonstration led by Dale Morse, Blacksmithing Instructor with the Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing.
A Taste of Tradition
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 in…
Tickets
Shoebox Lunch Meal Ticket
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
Sale ended