PHOTOS: Richmond Coffee Festival brings together local roasters, enthusiasts

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- For so many around the world, a good cup of coffee starts the day -- and this weekend, coffee enthusiasts gathered in Richmond celebrated the drink with an inaugural festival.

Coffee lovers gathered from 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov 2, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, where they experienced coffee in all forms. The first festival featured jazz, live DJ sets, competitions and "the best coffee in the world," according to a release.

Attendees could also enjoy premium food for purchase from Padow's and the Treat Shop. On Sunday, author Mark Pendergrast spoke about the history of coffee in Richmond.

Jerry Hill, founder of Fuzzee Coffee, launched its first sparkling functional coffees back in April, aiming to replace the "chemical laboratory experiments in a can" with something more natural.

Hill highlighted the entrepreneurial energy across the River City, particularly comparing Richmond's tight-knit community to those in Northern Virginia or Baltimore.

"There are so many local coffee roasters and small businesses," Hill said. "we really just have a tight-knit group of folks to really be able to showcase all the innovation and fun things happening in our town, give them something fun to do with the kids and meet your neighbors."

According to Hill, energy drinks are a multi-billion-dollar-a-year market dominated by sugar, and he believes coffee is a great base, as well as a healthier alternative.

He also emphasized that the inaugural Richmond Coffee Festival brings together community members and Richmond entrepreneurs, and hopes to expand the festival next year with a stronger social media and marketing reach.