Downtown celebrates Cameleer's 25th anniversary with Davis Street Down Under

Mara McKenna, starexponent.com

Image from article, with caption: : The Cameleer on Davis Street has been in business for 25 years in downtown Culpeper. Owner Susan Bernhardt says it’s currently in its 5fth—and final—location.

Susan Bernhardt wanted to do something special this weekend to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her store, the Cameleer, in Culpeper.

She reached out to a few neighboring businesses on Davis Street and an event was born—Davis Street Down Under takes place on Sunday. Honoring the Cameleer’s roots as a store that began selling products from Oz in 1992, the mini-festival is billed as “fun and food with an Australian flair.”

“It just grew,” said Bernhardt, The town is shutting off the street and all of the restaurants are doing amazing food.”

Bernhardt said she was busy prepping her sales floor, adding more Australian products to the mix for the Down Under day.

Currently, the store offers products from 80 different countries, but it made sense to go back to its roots on the anniversary, she said.

“It’s all going to be so wonderful,” said Bernhardt. “We can’t wait.”

Ten different restaurants and 16 different stores plan to get in on the fun, presenting the flavors and wares of the Outback and beyond.

With Aboriginal art displays, a puppeteer, face painting and didgeridoo players, the event promises a good time to visitors of all ages.

The Australian Embassy even plans to send a representative—Public Diplomacy Officer Margaret McElvein.

Kim Kelly plans to offer Australian wines to taste on Sunday, including a white blend, a sparkling shiraz and a still shiraz. She’s also got Yarra Valley marinated feta cheese to spark the palate.