THE FEAST OF THE RAMSON HISTORY:
When the first "Ramp-Feed" was held in Cherry Bottom, Virginia, (now Richwood, West Virginia) is lost in remote history.  That there were springtime "get-togethers" of frontier settlers with "ramp feeds" is certain.  They served up bear meat or venison with corn pone, brown beans, fried spuds, a mess of ramps, coffee powdered with essence, cake, pie and lots of eatin' and greetin', buzzin' and gaddin', singin' and fiddlin'.  Springtime happiness for everyone of all ages!

Around 1890-1900 "Timber Mills" came to the virgin forests all around.  The "Big Mill" came to Cherry Bottom and right away it became RICHWOOD.  Paper mill, Tannery, Clothespin Factory, Hub and Handle Factories followed, with workers coming from states around by hundreds and professional folks from even further - citizens of several nationalities.  So many in fact that when the first "Big Ramp Feed" was recognized right off as a "national" gathering bound together by mutual hopes and opportunities.  The "National Ramp Society" was organized later becoming the "Association" with membership cards for attending the spring feed.

THE HISTORY OF THE INFAMOUS RAMP:
The first of the Zodiac calendar is Aries, which ushers in the spring during March and April.  Aries is the Arabic word for Ram, the male of the sheep family, stout, rambunctious, and a bit odoriferous!  The plant called the "Ram's Son" is the first green shoot to show itself in the deep Appalachian woodlands, gaily announcing the Coming of Spring!  It is aptly named the "Son of the Ram" for it has a tart and snappy taste and pungent odor that lingers long on the breath of the eater.

The "Flowering Ramson" is eaten young and succulent in the spring, long before it matures and flowers in late July and early August.  This robust bulbous little plant is classified botanically as the American Leek (Allium Tricoccum), a member of the Gar-Leek, commonly known as garlic.  The "Ram's Son" is known popularly by Woodsmen as the "Ramp." 

The Ramson is harvested in abundance on wooded hillsides throughout Appalachia.  Thereabouts, ramps are dug with a special "ramp hoe" and are harvested in clumps.  Ramp lovers head for the woods as early as February to search for the green that signals the Start of Spring and some darn good eatin'.

The Ramson has been relished for Springtime Dining since early pioneers and the Indians before them.  The Ramson was the "Piece de resistance" for Springtime "dinners and suppers" in early frontier settlements.  Since those days, hearty feasters have called themselves "Ramp Eaters" like nothing better than a "mess of ramps" to add zip to springtime meals after a long dull winter.  Elders proclaim that "they're good for what ails you!"



COME DINE WITH US!
The National Ramp Association and the Richwood Chamber of Commerce still hosts this traditional springtime Feast of the Ramson and offer old-time hospitality and lots of food and fun for you and your friends!  Our menu consists of ramps (of course!), ham or bacon, potatoes, brown beans, corn bread, and a choice of desert and beverage.  The Feast is held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Richwood High School cafeteria (follow the signs) with live music in the gymnasium.  Arts and crafts are on display in the Richwood Junior High gymnasium.

Take advantage of our pre-registration and you will be reserved a position in the Express Line! Simply print out the registration form, fill it out and mailing it in prior to April 14th.th, 2006.  If you have any questions call the Richwood Chamber of Commerce at (304)846-6790 or email us.  To access the registration form, click here!