Ramps and Wild leeks, incredible wild plants & edibles.
   This page provide as a service by Richwooders.com to all those who seek Ramps and Wild leeks.
Richwood   Click for RichwoodersFeast of the Ramson
Richwood, West Virginia is the ramp capitol (USA)
Feast of the Ramson
West Virginia and the Appalachian Mountains for gourmet, Wild leeks, incredible edibles.

Richwood Ramp Fest (04/19/2008)
Feast of the RamsonThe 70th "Ramp Feed" to be held at Richwood High School, Richwood, WV. April 19. 11:00am to 4:00pm. The National Ramp Association and the Richwood Chamber of Commerce hosts this traditional springtime Feast of the Ramson.

Interested in more information regarding Richwood Ramp Feed call the Richwood Chamber of Commerce at (304)846-6790 or email rwdchamber@richwoodwv.com
Website:


An Art & Craft Show, from 9:30am to 4:00pm at the Richwood Junior High School Gym
Ramps There's nothing quite like it. The excitement is in the air ... Just enjoying the West Virginia ramps in the springtime, for me, is what it is all about. Ramps which to this day thrives in the Appalachian Mountains and valleys ... There's nothing quite like Appalachian Ramps.Ramp Seeds

 Visitors: Richwood WV. the Ramp Capital of the World! Located in Nicholas County, in the southern end of the Mountain Lakes region of West Virginia, deep in the hills, accessible by two-lane paved road and Richwood is situated just at the edge of the Monongahela National Forest.        DIRECTIONS

Feast of the RamsonI'm a (Formerly Richwooder) who believe that ramps are good for the heart, that they thin the blood and that they may relieve the common cold and it is so much fun trying to explain the smell and taste of the famous ramp!
A few of our city folks attended Feast of the Ramson and had a very stinky weekend. Our friends who had never had ramps before were good sports about trying them. Can't say all will eat them again, but they are already planning a trip back in the near future...... The food was wonderful, they enjoyed the Craft Show and especially the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains and valleys.
Now here is a recipe worth knowing and is well worth the effort. You could serve #12 plus

"Little Stinkers" Ramps
(Serves #12 Plus)

    "Ingredients:"

1  bushel Ramps (  Clean and trim up the plants a little.  )
1  tbsp. cider vinegar



    "Little Stinkers" Preparation:

Cook Ramps in boiling water 15 to 20 minutes until tender. Drain.
Into a large skillet, heat enough bacon drippings to coat the bottom of the pan.
Toss the boil Ramps into the Skillet.
Fry Ramps until lightly browned
Prep Time:25 Minutes.

There are certain recipes you catalogue permanently in your brain under the heading: Wild ramps and wild-leeks.
By following these links, the viewer leave the www.richwooders.com website.
For recipes using ramps, see

(1) www.wild-leeks.com
(2) Wild Harvest

    "Ramps:" an Appalachian delicacy



A wild leek, this onion relative with a garlicky flavor may have anticancer properties, with edible leaves and roots. Found in the woods of upper elevations, it's eaten raw or fried with eggs or just make plain old ramp sandwiches. The plants grow about a foot tall and, when eaten, a strong odor emanates from the skin of the ramps gourmand. Scientific Name for Wild Ramp (Allium tricoccum Aiton) better known as a wild leek, some other common names: wood leek, ail des bois, ail sauvage.

   

Richwood "Festival"


Richwood Ramp Fest (04/19/2008)
Contact: Richwood WV Area Chamber of Commerce, Phone: 304-846-6790 for the most accurate information and date.
Ramps are the first green things to show their heads in spring in the Appalachian woodlands. They taste somewhat like an onion with a strong odor. They add a little life to Richwood and Nicholas County after a long winter. Richwood, West Virginia is the Ramp Capital of the World! Check out their Feast of the Ramson.
This good old fashioned Richwood Ramp Festival in West Virginia is held in middle of April and all food will be prepared by locals Richwooders especially the ramps, the "little stinkers" will be served with ham, bacon, fried potatoes, brown beans,cornbread, and dessert. Hope you can make it to the 2008 Ramp Fest.





                Ramp Fests are Everywhere
    Ramp festivals occur in many other mountain communities
of Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia but
Richwood appears to be the birthplace of the Ramp Festivals for the United States and the world.

   Dates often change. Check ahead for the most accurate information and date.
To submit a Ramp festival or date to our site, email your request to:
rampfest@earthlink.net

Please let us know of errors on the page... Thank you.


2008 Appalachian Ramp Festivals
Ramp festival dates will be added as they become available.




March
  • Ramps and Rainbow Festival           ( March 29, 2008 )  Annual Ramps & Rainbow Festival held on opening day of fishing at Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds Cherokee, North Carolina.
       1-800-438-1601

  • April
  • Upsher County Library,                  ( April __, 2008 )    14th Annual Ramp Dinner   Description: (Ramp Dinner) -
  • 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Upshur County library, Buckhannon, WV - April __
    Menu includes: Ramps, Salad with Bacon/Ramp Vinaigrette Dressing, ham, potatoes, Ramp Quiche, Ramp Chowder, Dinner Rolls, Corn Bread, Apple Dumplings and Peach-Blueberry Cobbler. Catered by the 88 restraunt and Lounge. All proceeds benefit the Upshur County Library (304) 473-4219.

  • Richwood Ramp Fest                        ( April 19, 2008 )   70th. Annual Ramp Feed
    Description: (Ramp Feed) - The National Ramp Association's 70th Feast of the Ramson dinner at Richwood High School from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, food, live music, arts & crafts from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Richwood Junior High School Gym, (304) 846-6790 or email: rwdchamber@richwoodwv.com - a celebration of ramps.

  • Upper West Fork Park & Fire Dept  ( April 18, 2008 ) 37th Annual Ramp Dinner,
    3rd Saturday, April 18 at 4pm. Chloe,Calhoun County, WV. 25235, Take I-79 to exit 40 turn north on State Route 16 10 miles. Park is on the left. Plenty of free parking. For more info contact Michele at (304) 655-8172 or imlmsears@yahoo.com

  • Pickens Ramp Supper                       ( April 18, 2008 ) Third Sat.in April   Pickens, WV 26230


  • Mason Dixon Ramp Festival              ( April 19-20, 2008 ) 18th Annual Mason-Dixon Ramp Festival, at the Mason-Dixon Historical Park, Mt. Morris, Greene County, PA.


  • Big Otter Ramp Dinner,                     ( April __, 2008 ) Big Otter, WV. 25113

  • at the Big Otter Community Building starting at 12:30 pm. Sponsored by the Big Otter Volunteer Fire Department. Menu includes: Ramps with all the trimmings. Take exit 40 off Interstate 79, go south on WV 16 for approx. 3 miles. For info call (304) 286-2212

  • Helvetia Ramp Dinner,                      ( April 26, 2008 )  Fourth Sat. in April  Helvetia, WV. 26224


  • Polk County Ramp and Tramp Festival, ( April 24 - 27, 2008 ) , Tennessee. Ramp Festival fourth weekend of April, beginning on Thursday, 4-H Camp in the Greasy Creek Community, Polk County, Tennessee.

  • Elkins, 18th Annual Ramp Festival - ( April 25 & 26, 2008 ) Ramp Dinner and International Ramp Cook-Off and Festival, Elkins, West Virginia 26241


  • Ramp Dinner at Hacker Valley Elementary School  ( April 26, 2008 ) Hacker Valley, Webster County, WV ,The Hacker Valley Elementary School Ramp Dinner will be held on April 26, 2008 from 2:00pm - 7:00pm. The dinner is always held on the 4th Saturday in April and the fall dinner is scheduled for Saturday, November 1, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. The dinner is always held on the first Saturday in November. For information call: Hacker Valley Elementary School 1-304-493-6488 or Fire Department of Hacker Valley 1-304-493-6470.

  • Graham County, North Carolina,   ( April 26-27, 2008 ) 33nd Annual Romp & Ramps Festival, sponsored by the Graham County Volunteer Rescue Squad, Robbinsville NC.

  • Faith Gospel Church,   ( Saturday, April 26th, 12-noon )
    Lost Pavement Rd.
    South Parkersburg, WV
    Call 304-483-1079 if you plan to come from a good distance away (we don't want you to show up after all the ramps are gone).

    Cost: Free (will accept donations though)
    Menu: Cooked ramps, Ramp salad, Soup beans, Cornbread, Potatoes, Ham, Dessert, Refreshments, Ect.


  • Stonewall Resorts, website   ( April __, ---- ) Annual Ramp Festival Roanoke, WV 26447 from 11:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m, Stillwaters Restaurant ( Appalachian Cuisine at its finest! )


  • May
  • Jenkins Chapel Annual Ramp Dinner     ( May 03, 2008 ) at  Mathias, Hardy County, WV. 1st Saturday in May (05/03/2008).

  • "The First Upper Delaware Ramp Festival" North Branch, NY.     ( May 03/04, 2008 ) at  Sullivan County, NY and Wayne County, PA 1st Saturday & Sunday in May is a new locally-produced public event in that will help to raise awareness and appreciation for local agriculture and the environment in the Upper Delaware River Valley.
    The First Upper Delaware Ramp Festival ( Newstories )

  • The Annual H.E. White ramp dinner,   ( ___ --, ---- ) at H E White Elementary School 501 Bomont Road, Bomont, Clay County, WV 25030, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Telephone: 304-548-7101

  • Cosby Ramp Festival in Tennessee  ( May 4, 2008 )    55th Annual Ramp Festival

  • Romney, Hampshire County, WV. ( May 4, 2008 ) The Springfield Valley VFD holds an annual RAMP Dinner the first Sunday in May. We feature soup beans, brown beans, fried potatoes, eggs, salad, meat loaf, cornbread, and ramp cake. We also prepare the same food without ramps. Located 6 miles north of Romney off Route 28 on Springfield Pike. 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

  • Waynesville Ramp Convention -        (May 04, 2008 ) Waynesville, North Carolina
    It's probably Western North Carolina's biggest ramp festival.


  • Annual Ramp Supper, Cullasaja, Macon County, North Carolina 2873 ( Cullasaja Fire and Rescue Squad )


  • Flag Pond Tennessee Ramp Festival - ( May 10, 2008 ) Entertainment and food, at the Flag Pond, TN.,Community Center.


  • Whitetop Mountain Ramp Festival, ( May 18, 2008 ) , Mount Rogers Fire Hall - third Sunday in May Whitetop, Grayson County, Virginia


  • Boone County Ramp Festival,          ( May, 24-25, 2008 ) Jim & Jennie's Music Barn and Campground, Crossnore, NC.



  • By following these links, the viewer leave the www.richwooders.com website.

    Ramp Country Pictures, see

    (1) Pictures of the H.E. White Ramp Feed May 4, 2003 Clay County, West Virginia 25164.
    (2)
    Pictures of the Flag Pond Ramp Festival May, 13 2006, Unicoi County, Tennessee.
    (3) Pictures Digging Ramps in the Big Otter Community area of Calhoun County , West Virginia.


    Order ramps (wild leeks) here when in season.

    If you can't make it to one of the festivals and not able to get back there to get any ramps in the wild, buy then in gourmet stores and ramp farms.
    To buy Wild Leeks, visit
      (1)  earthy.com  Earthy Delights, a specialty foods company who was one of the first, if not the first company selling ramps nationwide.
      (2)  G&N Ramp Farm  (http://www.rampfarm.com/)  Ramp Farm Specialties in Richwood, West Virginia. Was one of the first ramp farms in West Virginia and in the country selling ramps.

    Link to Cultivating Ramps:
    Cultivating Ramps:
        Wild leeks of Appalachia

    Links from the Library of Congress
    Ramp Suppers, Biodiversity, and the Integrity of "The Mountains"
    http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/tending/essay4a.html
    http://rs6.loc.gov/ammem/collections/tending/essay4a.html

    A FIELD TRIP TO DIG THE EASTERN RAMP
    (Polk County, Tennessee) Saturday, April 13, 1991
    http://home.chattanooga.net/~henson3/ram.html

    ( Digging Deep For Ramps) Thursday April 19, 2001, Calhoun County
    http://home.chattanooga.net/~henson3/ram.html

    Link to how to cook ramps:
    How to Cook Ramps
        

    How Many Ramps Do You Need for a Festival?:
    How Many Ramps
        

    Are Ramp Festivals Sustainable?:
    Are Ramp Festivals Sustainable?
        


    In 2004, a documentary on Ramp Festivals was recorded, entitled The King of Stink. The film aired a year later on Public television stations.

    Documentary on PBS

    Public television stations aired, a documentary examines ramps and features eleven Appalachian ramp dinners and festivals. In addition to Richwood, Chloe, Elkins and Helvetta West Virginia. Stops in Polk County, Cosby County and Flag Pond, Unicoi County, Tennessee. The filmmakers visited Whitetop Mountain Ramp Festival,Whitetop,Virginia. Stops in North Carolina included those in Cherokee, Waynesville and Cullasaja.
    For more information, the web site (Golden Lion Media) www.goldenlionmedia.com

    Better Pans Don't Make You A Better Chef? Wild ramps and wild-leeks will make you a better chef.  U may not have seen "The Show" on CBS ....but they had one of this big name New York City chef who was doing some cooking on the show.... guess what he was using in one of his fancy dishes: "ramps" Said there were nothing like them to flavor a dish but they were expensive: $10 - 12 a pound in New York... partly due to the fact that the season was so short: 5 - 6 weeks. And here I thought ramps was just for mountain communities and towns. ... even city folks like them. ...
    Anything that is "a cross between onion and garlic" would be prized by any chef.



     
     

    Click to Print this RecipeRecipe Page

    Feast of the Ramson

    Spring ramps and rainbow trout from the mountains and streams of Richwood....

    Oh man, This will make any West Virginia hillbilly hungry!

    The earlier you dig ramps, the milder they are. Nothing like catching a few trout, stuffing them full of ramps and butter, wrapping them in foil (seal the top and side edges} and griddle them directly over hot coals or you can brush the fish with butter or make your own marinade. Cook about 4 inch from hot coals 5 minutes. Turn; brush with butter or marinade, cook 5 minutes longer. Fish is done when it flakes easily with fork. If desired, serve with additional ramps fry in hot grease.
    There are certain recipes that, when you begin them, you instantly know that this is something you will want to do again and again.


    RichwoodClick for RichwoodersWest Virginia

    Feast of the Ramson





    My favorite time of the year ramp season and Richwood WV. is the best place to get em.
    Come on down and enjoy nine holes of golf in the scenic mountains of Richwood at Cherry Hill Country Club.
    Enjoy spring ramps and rainbow trout from the mountains and streams of Richwood and explore the wonders of
    Nicholas County.