Festivals and Events
Downtown Events
Schedule of events – July 2007
River District Canal Cruises
Summer season June 13 - Aug. 31
Wednesday through Saturday noon – 7 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.
Canal Turning Basin - Dock and 14th Streets, $5 adults, $4 seniors and children (5 to 12 years old), age 4 and under free with an adult. Thirty-five minute historically narrated tours of the James River and Kanawha Canal along the River District’s Canal Walk. Tour begins every hour on the hour. Private charters are also available. For more information call (804) 649-2800 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.
Thursday Growers’ Market
May 3 – Oct. 25
17th Street Farmers’ Market, free admission, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Produce is farm fresh and homegrown straight from the regions farms to your home. Homemade and handcrafted right here by highly artistic Richmonders. For more information call (804) 646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Fridays at Sunset®
Kanawha Plaza, 6 – 10 p.m.
Fridays at Sunset is pleased to bring to you high caliber performances that offer wonderful entertainment, good food, a patron-friendly atmosphere and an overall enjoyable experience. This month’s line up includes July 6: Chuck Brown – “Biker Night” with Plunky and Oneness (event on Brown’s Island), July 13: TBA, July 20: Dave Koz with Kelly Sweet, July 27: Natalie Cole with Art Sherrod. For more information on event prices and the schedule of performers visit www.fridaysatsunset.com.
Saturday Market
May 5 – Oct. 27
17th Street Farmers’ Market, free admission, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Produce is farm fresh and homegrown straight from the regions farms to your home. Homemade and handcrafted right here by highly artistic Richmonders. For more information call (804) 646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Sunday Open Heirloom Market
May 6–Oct. 28
17th Street Farmers’ Market, free admission, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Antiques, collectibles, jewelry and fine arts and crafts will be sold. For more information call (804) 646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Sunday reenactments of Patrick Henry’s “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” speech
Through Sept. 2
St. John’s Church, Church Hill, free admission (donations accepted), 1 – 3 p.m.
Experience the spirited debate among 10 of our Founding Fathers that concluded with Patrick Henry’s declaration, “Give me liberty or give me death!” in the very place these immortal words were spoken. Share in the excitement and tension as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Edmund Pendleton, among others, prepare to battle England and resolve to form an armed militia. For more information call (804) 648-5015 or see www.historicstjohnschurch.org.
Special events in July
Walking tour of Shockoe Bottom
Sunday, July 1
Meet at the corner of 17th and East Main Streets, $10 fee, $9 in advance, $5 for History Center members, 2 – 4 p.m.
Shockoe Bottom is Richmond’s “hot, new” entertainment and residential district, but for centuries it was the center of commerce. Come explore this revitalized area of the city, including Main Street Station. For more information call (804) 649-0711, option 4.
Shockoe Tomato Festival
Saturday, July 21
17th Street Farmers’ Market, free admission, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
A fun-filled family event for our favorite fruit! In glorious plentitude, you’ll find tomatoes in every conceivable form, an array of market vendors, a jazz trio from Washington, D.C., down home regional roots music provided by New Oldz, tomato-themed children’s activities, a magician and juggler, and back by popular demand, the tastiest tomato contest! For more information call (804) 646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Duck Race
Saturday, July 28
Brown’s Island, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., free admission
18th annual premier family event sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters Services. For more information call (804) 346-5722 or visit www.bigbrobigsis.com.
* Schedule subject to change.