09/14/2026
Another one in the books! The 3rd Annual Shoebox Lunch Festival was a success, thanks to all of you. Check out images from the event in our feed below.
Although the threat of rain tried to dampen our spirits, the Eastern Shore community showed up — and showed out — for the 3rd Annual Shoebox Lunch Festival! A little rain never stopped a good time, and we sure had one.
We celebrated the tradition of the historic shoebox lunch — a meal rooted in the resilience of Black families who packed their dignity and their dinner when the open road wasn't always open to them. Today, that tradition lives on in every box served.
- Dale Morse of the Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing brought the forge to life with a breathtaking live blacksmithing demonstration that connected every person in attendance to the craft and legacy of Samuel D. Outlaw himself.
- The Tidewater African Cultural Alliance (TACA) delivered a performance that stopped time — drums, dance, and a spirit that filled the entire grounds.
- Willie C. and the Gang had us moving and grooving with the kind of soulful live music that makes you forget there were ever clouds in the sky.
- The food was absolutely delicious — and that is a credit to the extraordinary people who made it happen. A heartfelt thank you to Sebastian Bowers, Sous Chef at the Eastern Shore Yacht and Country Club, for lending his talent and time to help prepare our festival meal.
- And a very special thank you to Nathaniel "Nate" Nock and the Brothers of Prince Hall Lodge 62, who brought the fire and the flavor with their legendary fried chicken. We are so grateful.
To every volunteer, donor, partner, and community member who gave their time and their presence — thank you.
And to our 5K Run/Walk participants, including those who traveled from other states to be with us, we are deeply sorry the weather forced us to cancel the run. Your commitment to this community and this cause did not go unnoticed. We will be back, and we will run together.
A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors who made this day possible:
✦ Peacewerks Center for Well-Being
✦ ESTACI — Eastern Shore Training and Consulting, Inc.
✦ Eastern Shore Regional Library and Heritage Center
✦ Coastal Shore Real Estate
✦ Virginia Commission for the Arts
✦ Financial Solutions — John Fiege, CFP
✦ Ronald Holden
✦ Edward Jones — Willie Randall
✦ Seamless Gutters, Inc.
Your investment in this community and this mission means everything. We could not do this without you.
