Coffee is an important part of my day. In Williamsburg, there are several places to grab a latte or a cup of joe. In my opinion though, there's only one coffeehouse that truly captures the spirit of Williamsburg and even adds to the character of it. Aromas, located on Prince George Street (Merchant's Square), is that coffee shop.

I know I'm not alone either. Aromas is frequented by students and facility of William & Mary, tourists, and locals who pass several Starbucks on their way to Aromas.

The 6th annual Italian Festival hosted by the Colonial Italian American Organization was held at Walsingham Academy this past weekend. As you might expect, there was a great selection of Italian foods from many local Williamsburg restaurants including Florimonte's Deli & Fine Foods and Philadelphia Pretzels.

There were also several exhibitors displaying various arts and crafts.

It was a perfect day for the Annual Williamsburg Occasion for the Arts. Besides pulling together many talented artists from several states, this year's highlights included an art exhibit by hundreds of area school children, a nice selection of food from Ukrops, Aromas, Lenny's, and other area restaurants, and an impressive performance from the Colonial Williamsburg's Fife & Drum Corps.  It's been said that the event does not officially begin until the Fife & Drum have played.

 The picture above was taken at the event.

The video is a few months old but does a nice job of demonstrating how stirring the Corps can be.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-jQxYUXrA4 350x290]

If you live within driving distance of Williamsburg you should mark your calendar for next year. Find a local inn and make a weekend of it. The Occasion for the Arts would definitely make for an enjoyable Williamsburg weekend trip.