Article by Daina Henry
The City of Newport News Department of Parks and Recreation and the Peninsula Master Naturalists are pleased to announce the Second Annual Paw Paw Festival at Historic Endview on August 27, 2022 from 11-4. Admission is free, tours of the Historic Endview home have a small charge.
Paw paw, (a small understory tree), is one of only two native fruits to Virginia. The fruit is said to taste as a combination of mango, banana, and coconut, with the consistency of banana. Free tastings of the fruit, and samples of paw paw bread, and puree will be available. The fruit looks like a very small green banana.
The purpose of the Paw paw festival is to have the public become aware of this local native fruit. There is a natural large grove in the woods of Historic Endview. Fruits ripen and are ready to harvest between the months of August and October.
In addition to tastings and tours of the grove, there will be many educational activities and speakers during the day. Colonial Beekeepers, Hampton Roads Bird Club, Butterfly Society of Virginia, Newport News Waterworks, Peninsula Tree Stewards, Leave No Trace, and Lilly Press Books will all provide talks and outreach tables. Kids activities will also be available. The Peninsula Master Naturalists will speak on how to grow and harvest paw paws, and provide guided tours of the nature trail.
Live music will be provided by local artists Kevin Barry and Roy Moats. Boy Scouts will provide concessions.
There will be a raffle for Paw paw saplings.
Any questions, contact the Peninsula Master Naturalists at vmnpeninsula@gmail.com
