2nd PawPaw Festival of Paw Paw, IL
Sat, Sep 20 , 2025 • 10:00am - 6:30pm
314 Chapman Street, Paw Paw, IL 61353
Celebrate the pawpaw with food, music, family fun, and a special Paw Paw Kölsch.
Taste a PawPaw in Paw Paw
Get ready to fall for a fruit unlike any other. On Saturday, September 20, Paw Paw, IL, hosts its 2nd Annual PawPaw Festival in Paw Paw—a full day (10 AM–6:30 PM, rain or shine) of fruity fun.
Explore the festival grounds with pawpaw-flavored eats and treats, live music, local artisans, family crafts, and educational talks. You can even take home a seedling to grow your own tree. And for the 21+ crowd, don’t miss the debut of a special PawPaw Kölsch—a crisp, refreshing brew crafted just for the festival.
The pawpaw (the fruit is spelled as one word) is one of America’s most fascinating fruits—it’s the largest native edible, with a custardy texture and a flavor that blends banana, mango, and pineapple. It fueled explorers like Lewis & Clark and was a favorite of both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Nearly forgotten for generations, the pawpaw is making a well-deserved comeback.
Pro tip: Bring a cooler. These delicate fruits don’t ship well, so they’re best enjoyed fresh from the source.