If you are coming to the May 2 Heart of Virginia Festival in Farmville–and you should–bring a good appetite. Twenty-nine food vendors will be waiting to feed you.
 
Returning to the festival this year will be a number of old favorites, offering a wide range of menu items. Back again will be K’s Grill, J&M Concessions, Philippine Delight, The Crispie Pig, Petey’s Homemade Ice Cream, Olde Time Lollipops, joined by a number of church and civic groups.  Vendors new to the festival will include Strawberry Street Café from Richmond and Nader’s Bistro and Grill of Glen Allen, who offer such delicious options as cream of crab soup, crabcake sandwich with poblano tartar sauce, crab and artichoke dip, falafel with tahini sauce, Greek salad, and the perennial favorite of Philly cheese steak!  This roster of vendors will be preparing and serving food through the downtown portion of the festival from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.  At least five vendors, including the Prince Edward County Elementary PTA, will also have food available in the evening at the Airport for the traditional bands and fireworks.
 
Festival organizers have wondered whether the current economy would have a negative effect on participation and are relieved to know that vendor participation has even increased, with new vendors joining returnees, and sponsorship by local businesses and organizations remaining strong.
 
The food itself may be reason enough to attend the HOV Festival. For more information visit the website at www.heartofvirginia.org .