Shockoe Bottom Brunswick stew Festival.
Stew masters galore make their way to Shockoe Bottom in Richmond, Virginia to compete in the premiere stew cook off in the Southeastern United States.
The stew is named after Brunswick County Virginia, where it was invented sometime after the Civil War.
The first stews were squirrel based, but in modern times in Virginia at least chicken has become the meat of choice due to public health concerns.
You sometimes hear old timers refer to Brunswick stew as "Rescue Squad" , 'Fire House", "American Legion" or "Church" stew due to it's popularity as a fall fund raising activity among these organizations in the South.
These stews are far superior to the watered down store bought kind and are much sought after by local residents. (less info)