Picnic, Perfected
How a Lynchburg teacher turned a simple spring tradition into curated outdoor experiences designed for connection, celebration, and ease.
By: Jeremy Angione | Photos Courtesy: HILL CITY PICNICS
After a particularly harsh winter, Lynchburg residents are undoubtedly ready to get outside and enjoy spring—and there is probably nothing more representative of a serene spring outing than a picnic. Local schoolteacher Danielle Sarchet created Hill City Picnics to help Lynchburg residents enjoy luxury, curated picnics for any occasion.
“Hill City Picnics officially began during the pandemic as a way to help people continue creating special memories in a safe and creative way,” Sarchet said.
Aside from seeing a need for the services Hill City Picnics provides to Lynchburg, Sarchet claims the business is much more personal to her than just filling a gap in the local market. “It was also important to me to build something my son and I could share. When he was younger, he would ‘protect’ the picnic setups with his toy sword, and now he helps with setting up and breaking down when he can,” Sarchet shared.
Creating fun, engaging, and ultimately memorable events for her first-grade students helped to inform how Sarchet curates unique experiences for her customers. She says the flexibility in her schedule allows her to still devote plenty of time to her business. Fortunately, spring and summer breaks allow her to tap into Hill City Picnics’ best seasons of operation.
“Being a single mother, that extra income is important, but I also genuinely love what I do. My passion for teaching carries over into my business. Additionally, I offer setups for children’s sleepovers and movie nights, where my fun, creative, elementary teacher personality really shines,” Sarchet said.
Hill City Picnics offers a variety of packages with different amenities and price points that cater to different budgets and occasions. Her most popular packages are the “Golden Hour Glow,” which Sarchet describes as a “romantic escape,” and the “Sweet and Simple,” which is the most affordable “chic pop-up” that Hill City Picnics offers.
One aspect of Hill City Picnics is the curation of high-quality products and amenities for each setup. Sarchet partners with local businesses and Airbnbs to help bring her vision to life.
“No two setups are exactly the same. We work to tailor each experience to fit the occasion, whether it’s a romantic date, a celebration, or a gathering with friends and family,” Sarchet explained.
More than just fancy hors d’oeuvres, Hill City Picnics employs high-quality plating and personalized decor.
“I’m fortunate to collaborate with an amazing team of talented women who each bring their own expertise to the experience, including charcuterie specialists, balloon stylists, and retreat hosts,” Sarchet said.
Enjoying a Hill City Picnic is as simple as registering for your desired picnic package and just showing up, according to Sarchet, who aims to make the process as stress-free as possible.
“Hill City Picnics has been growing organically over the past few years, and the response from the community has been very positive. Everyone who has heard about the concept and booked a picnic has loved the experience and truly enjoyed the service,” Sarchet claimed.
To peruse the different packages and events and book a picnic, you can visit Hill City Picnics’ website: hillcitypicnics.carrd.co.
On a rainy evening in mid-May, Andrew Padilla gathered to brainstorm with a few of his friends in the empty building that would soon become the newest coffee shop in Lynchburg. As they sat together and talked, the ideas started to flow.
Despite doing minimal marketing online and preparing for a soft launch to help get prepared for the return of college students, Padilla said he was blown away by the immediate turnout of customers when La Vida opened its doors July 17.