2nd Street Festival October 1-2, 2016
Free Admission
The 2nd Street Festival, presented by Altria and Dominion, returns for the 28th year, Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 1-2, to celebrate the rich culture of the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood. The FREE event is produced by Venture Richmond. This year, the festival features co-headliners Rare Essence with special guest DJ Kool on Saturday, and James “Saxsmo” Gates, to close out the festival on Sunday. As always, the 2nd Street Festival takes place the first full weekend in October. Over the years it has grown to be one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest street festivals. Nearly 40,000 people visit historic Jackson Ward to reminisce about the days when 2nd Street was the heart and soul of Richmond’s African American community, and was known as “the Harlem of the South.” The festival features four stages of musical entertainment, along with food vendors, a marketplace, a Kidz Zone programmed by the Children’s Museum of Richmond, and Artists Row featuring David Marion with Liberated Flow, creator of this year’s festival poster. Additional artists include: Kelvin Henderson, Fruit of the Spirit, and Abdul Badi, The Art of Abdul Badi. This year as part of the festival the U.N.I.T.Y. project will showcase murals in Jackson Ward that depict the historic legacy of the area. U.N.I.T.Y. represents Upholding, Networking and Inspiring Togetherness in celebration of Yesterday. Artists who are a part of the project include Hamilton Glass, David Marion, Keith Ramsey, Michon Pittman, and Sir James Thornhill.
The 2nd Street Festival is presented by Altria and Dominion, and sponsored by Radio One, Metro PCS, Urban Views Weekly, and Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Richmond Folk Festival October 7-9, 2016
Downtown Richmond’s Riverfront from 2nd to 7th streets, including Brown’s Island and historic Tredegar
Free admission
The Richmond Folk Festival embraces the heritage and traditions of all Americans. Legendary masters and the next generation of dynamic young artists will celebrate the musical soul and cultural roots of America on six stages of continuous music and dance. World-class artisans, countless varieties of ethnic foods and a family area ensure there’s something for every taste and every age! The Richmond Folk Festival will engage the entire community, bringing together diverse groups and drawing visitors from across the country.
Produced by Venture Richmond and the National Council for the Traditional Arts
For more information, visit www.richmondfolkfestival.org or call (804) 788-6466.
Rush Hour at Hardywood Concert 10/13/16
@ Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Free Admission
TIME: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
PHONE: 804-788-4717
NAMIWalks Virginia 5K 10/15/16
@ Innsbrook
TIME: 11:30 AM – 5PM
NAMI Virginia, the Virginia chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will host its annual NAMIWalks 5k on October 15, 2016 at 11:30 at Innsbrook in Richmond, VA. Funds raised from the event will allow NAMI Virginia to continue offering free education and support programs to those living with or affected by mental illness.
“EERIE” CANAL TOURS 10/30/16
@ Canal Turning Basin Dock and 14th Street
Free Admition
TIME: 6PM – 9PM
Thought your Halloween couldn’t get any spookier?
Venture Richmond hosts a special night of FREE hauntingly-narrated canal boat tours, complete with candy for the little ones! Special 30-minute tours leave every half-hour (on the hour and half-hour) from 6-9 p.m., with the last boat departing at 8:30 p.m. Boats depart from the Canal Turning Basin at 14th and Dock streets.
The Eerie Canal Tours will feature haunting tales of Richmond’s past as passengers travel down the historic Kanawha Canal, drifting through the spooky sights and sounds of Richmond’s oldest and most historically haunted districts. Little ghouls and ghosts in attendance will receive a special candy treat. This is the Halloween event for the whole family! For more information call 804-788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.
Scotts Addition Pumpkin Festival
October 25
Free Admition
The Scott’s Addition Pumpkin Festival will be bringing craft beer, local restaurants, local talent and kids’ activities to the Boulevard on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Last year over 13,000 people flocked to Boulevard between W. Leigh and Broad for pumpkin-inspired dishes and Richmond craft brew. This year, organizers expect even more.
“This year’s event is going to be bigger. There are more things happening. And the space will be expanded a bit. We expect to add another block,” saysBrooks Stone, events chairman of theScott’s Addition Business Association.
Over the past year, the association has transitioned to include Boulevard businesses as well, increasing Scott’s Addition’s footprint.
From the organizers:
“The festival aims to shine a spotlight on Scott’s Addition restaurants, businesses and the neighborhood as a whole. We are focused on providing an all ages event… to celebrate the harvest that is the business and residential aspects of Scott’s Addition.”
The festival formula will be the same: Richmond craft beer, local restaurants serving up delicious pumpkin dishes for $3 and up, music, and an expanded kids’ activity section.
Be sure to bring cash to pay for the kids’ activities including everything from carnival rides to games. The Children’s Museum of Richmond will also be on hand with arts and crafts activities. Each activity costs a certain amount of tickets and tickets run $1.
Class A Roll will also be there with their mobile friendly healthy kitchen for kids.
They will even have a Family Movie Night at the Redskins Training Center at 6 p.m. Featuring It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and MONSTERS, INC. Blankets and chairs welcome, but no alcohol permitted.
As for the beer, the event features craft brew from the Scott’s Addition area including:
Ardent Craft Ales
Isley Brewing Company
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Strangeways Brewing
Check out the menu for the festival here:
Music Line-up:
12-1 p.m.: Smile
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.: Triad
3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.: Billy Joe Trio
5 p.m.-6 p.m.: Everwilde
As the festival is Halloween-related, Halloween costumes are highly encouraged.
Saturday, Oct. 25
Noon to 6 p.m.
Boulevard between W. Leigh and Broad Street. Free entry.
Hogtoberfest
Octoberfest 6
Fee Admition
For the second year in a row, Hogtoberreturns to Church Hill’s Libbie Hill Park for BBQ, brews and music.
Think of it as the new incarnation of High on the Hog.
Here’s what to expect:
Barbecue:
Smoky, spicy and sweet BBQ smoked on the premises and served up fresh from local BBQ masters:
Alamo BBQ
Extra Billy’s
Halligan Bar & Grill
Sausage Craft.
Hogtober features an impressive musical line-up of some of Richmond’s best bluegrass and rockabilly bands. The crowd at this party often loves to dance, so bring your dancing shoes. Expect music from:
River City Band
Long Arms
Chrome Daddy Disco
Andy Vaughn & the Driveline
Balloon art, face painting, a pigskin toss and a Miss Hot Sauce contest.
Free to attend. Bring a lawn chair and blankets to spread out and enjoy the show.
Happy Hogtober, Richmond!
Saturday, Oct. 6
Noon to 7 p.m.
Free
