2024 pawpaw festival
on september 15th, i went to the 26th annual ohio pawpaw festival in albany, near athens. i had been there once before, though i dont remember which year it was (i want to say 2021?).
the pawpaw is one of ohio's native fruit trees. it's oddly very tropical-like (despite growing as far north as canada), with big simple leaves and a custardy fruit that taste- and texture-wise is like a cross between a banana and a mango. it's very unique! makes sense there would be a whole festival celebrating it.
because the pawpaw is a native fruit, environmentalism and permaculture is a clear theme at the event and among the vendors. the nearby athens is also a college town, so there was also social outreach/justice, and a general artsy hippie vibe (my kinda people)
one of my favorite booths was the pollinator tent:
inside was several tables of native plants for sale (from natives in harmony), as well as information about supporting native species and the environment. i got a big poster and lots of printouts!
along with some cool art, a hat, and a few plants, i got one of the many pawpaw beer varieties, which the festival is known for. by this point, it was the evening and i had walked around the whole grounds and had seen all the vendors.
as the sun went down, i laid back on a pile of hay with my beers and just listened to the live music. someone walked over and sit next to me with a cloth tote bag full of native plants, and in that moment i had come to the conclusion that this kind of stuff is what human beings are supposed to be doing. it was one of those moments that makes everything worth it, and i am eager to return next year and beyond.