Food, Festivals, and Celebration: What’s Cooking This Week:

This week’s AFRO Table highlights how cooking in Newark is helping to spark racial healing, using food as a bridge for dialogue and connection. We also take a look at the upcoming BOWSFest 2025, returning to Washington, D.C. this October, a spirited celebration of Black-owned wine and spirits. Tickets are on sale now, so don’t wait to secure your spot. And in the kitchen, try Marisa Moore’s Black-Eyed Pea Fritters, a hearty recipe that can be easily adapted with shelf-stable canned or jarred legumes, peppers, and onions; perfect for creating comfort from your pantry.

Savoring Culture and Spirits: BOWSFest Returns for Its 9th Annual Celebration

Washington, D.C. — October 4, 2025

The nation’s capital is gearing up for a spirited celebration of Black excellence in the wine and beverage industry. On October 4, the 9th Annual Black Owned Wine & Spirits Festival (BOWSFest) will once again transform Washington, D.C. into a vibrant marketplace of tastings, music, culture, and entrepreneurship.

Launched to highlight and uplift Black-owned brands in the wine, beer, and spirits world, BOWSFest has become more than just a tasting event. It is a cultural touchstone — a place where artisans, food vendors, and community come together to toast innovation, tradition, and heritage.

What Guests Can Expect

Festivalgoers can look forward to an afternoon filled with unlimited tastings from Black-owned wine, beer, and spirits makers. Live entertainment, artisan vendors, and a curated selection of food trucks and chefs add flavor to the celebration, creating an atmosphere that’s equal parts cultural showcase and festive party.

Event Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
VIP & Media Early Access: 1:00 PM

Ticket Information

Admission options ensure something for every type of guest:

• General Admission — $99.99
  Includes access to all tastings, food and artisan vendors, and entertainment.

• VIP Admission — $199.99
  Offers an elevated experience with early entry at 1:00 PM, access to a VIP lounge, and exclusive tastings.

• Group Packages
  Five General Admission passes for $425, or five VIP passes for $900, making it easier to experience the festival with friends.

Past events have also offered early-bird specials starting around $75, with prices rising as the festival date approaches.

For Vendors: A Platform for Black Entrepreneurs

One of BOWSFest’s most distinctive features is its marketplace, which showcases artisans, chefs, and cultural creators alongside beverage brands. Vendor spaces are open to food trucks, dessert makers, craft artisans, and lifestyle vendors.

• Vendor Registration Deadline: September 19, 2025

• Registration: Applications are available through the BOWSFest website, with tiered options for food, beverage, and artisan vendors.

• Benefits: Direct access to a diverse, supportive audience passionate about Black-owned businesses, as well as valuable networking opportunities.

Why BOWSFest Matters

The Black Owned Wine & Spirits Festival isn’t just a day of indulgence — it’s a celebration of resilience and creativity in industries where Black entrepreneurs have often been overlooked. It’s a chance for attendees to sip, savor, and support, while vendors gain exposure to a wider market eager to champion their brands.

As festival founder Chanel Turner has emphasized in past years, BOWSFest is about creating an ecosystem of support — one where consumers can experience quality products while helping businesses thrive.

How to Join the Celebration

Tickets and vendor applications are available now at bowsfest.com. With attendance expected to be strong, organizers encourage early registration to secure both passes and vendor spots before the September deadline.

On October 4, raise a glass at BOWSFest — where every pour tells a story, and every toast honors the spirit of Black entrepreneurship.