Festivals and Events
Downtown Events
Schedule of Events – May 2007
River District Canal Cruises
Spring season April 1– June 10
Canal Turning Basin - Dock and 14th Streets, Friday and Saturday: noon–7 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m., $5 adults, $4 seniors and children (5 to 12 years old), 4 years old and under free.
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.
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 region’s farms right to your home. Homemade and handcrafted right here by highly artistic Richmonders. For more information call 646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Thursday James Center Summer Music Series
Starts May 24
James Center Plaza, 10th and Cary Streets, free admission, noon – 1 p.m.
Outdoor concert series during your lunchtime break with Susan Greenbaum Duo on May 24 and Patchwork on May 31.
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 region’s farms right to your home. Homemade and handcrafted right here by highly artistic Richmonders. For more information call 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 are sold. For more information call 646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Friday Cheers
May 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Brown’s Island, free admission, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
This is a great Richmond tradition entering its 23rd season. Every Friday in May and June thousands of people come to relax after the workweek on Brown’s Island to meet friends and hear some of the region’s top bands for free! Line up for May includes: Carbon Leaf: May 11, The Lee Boys: May 18 and a combination Friday Cheers/Fridays at Sunset special concert held at the city’s Intermediate Terminal as part of the Richmond Region 2007 ”Rock the Boat“ Godspeed event – artist to be announced on May 25. For more information call (804) 788-6466.
Special Events in May
Ukrop’s Richmond Race Fest
Thursday, May 3
10th and E. Cary Streets at James Center, free admission, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Before you watch the NASCAR drivers start their engines and heat up the Richmond International Raceway track, come to Shockoe Slip and meet your favorite drivers at the Ukrop’s Richmond Race Fest. Drivers will sign autographs in the Plaza (10th and E. Cary St.). This year, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation is the key charity and Jimmie Johnson will be at James Center signing autographs. Enjoy interactive games, live music and radio, food tasting and show cars with simulators free of charge. There will be a silent auction benefiting the children at the Richmond Children’s Hospital. This is an event for the entire family to enjoy. Plenty of parking available - follow signage. For more information call (804) 344-7278 or visit www.ukrops.com.
11th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival
Saturday, May 5
Brown’s Island, $10 admission fee at the gate, 1 – 9 p.m.
The 11th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is returning to beautiful Brown’s Island. The music line-up will surely get you in the mood to dance and party with your friends and family. Come see The Smithereens, Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, Bio Ritmo, Wrinkle Neck Mules and more. Expect a great assortment of food and beverages and whole lot of fun. Rain or shine. Proceeds go to SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now). For more information visit www.brownsisland.com.
10th Annual Koman Greater Richmond Race for the Cure©
Saturday, May 12
Brown’s Island, fee for participants, free for spectators, 8 -10:30 a.m.
Events such as the Komen Greater Richmond Race for the Cure® allow the Greater Richmond Affiliate to advance the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's mission of eradicating breast cancer as a life threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment programs. This family fun day on Brown’s Island brings hundreds of people to celebrate survivors and remember loved ones. For more information call (804) 796-RACE or visit www.komenrichmond.org.
Wachovia Securities canalWALK
Saturday, May 19
Brown’s Island, free admission for spectators, fee for participants, 2 – 8 p.m.
Thousands of Central Virginians will gather on Brown’s Island for the 2007 canalWALK for Long, Healthy Life. All proceeds will support Senior Connections – The Capital Area Agency on Aging and the Greater Richmond YMCA’s Active Adult Programs. Come for the 3K fundraising walk and enjoy fun activities at the after-walk island festival, enjoy supper, then join 12-time Grammy Award winner Emmylou Harris for a sunset concert performance. For more information call (804) 782-4127 or visit www.canalwalk.org.
Godspeed’s visit to Richmond
Wednesday-Sunday, May 23 - 26
Richmond’s Intermediate Terminal Dock, 3101 Water Street
Richmond Region 2007 will commemorate the Godspeed's historic journey from Jamestown to Richmond by hosting a replica of the 17th century vessel, Godspeed, which will reenact the famous landing of 1607 near Rocketts Landing coupled with an appropriate ceremony and salute. Educational components for school children and the public are scheduled throughout Memorial Day weekend.
Schedule of Events*:
Wednesday, May 23
Godspeed departs Henricus and arrives at Richmond Intermediate Terminal.
Thursday, May 24
Godspeed at Intermediate Terminal
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Godspeed Welcoming Ceremony
Noon – 6 p.m. - Godspeed available for public touring. Schooners Kalmar Nyckel, Lady Maryland and Schooner Virginia will also be available for public touring.
Friday, May 25
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Godspeed available for public touring. Schooners Kalmar Nyckel, Lady Maryland and Schooner Virginia will also be available for public touring. Additional exhibits, entertainment and food vendors will be available.
7 – 10 p.m. - Free concert for the public. Artist has not been announced yet.
Saturday, May 26
Noon – 7 p.m. - Godspeed and other schooners open for public touring. Additional entertainment, exhibits and food vendors are at Intermediate Terminal for adults and children.
8 p.m. - Hear the Richmond Symphony perform at Richmond's Intermediate Terminal.
9:15 p.m. – ”400 Candle Blow-Out“ Extravaganza with fireworks on the James River.
*Schedule of events is subject to change. Please check back frequently to www.richmondregion2007.com. Parking for all events will be free. For more information call 804-648-2007 or visit www.richmondregion2007.com.
Church Hill 400 Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, May 26
Libby Hill Park (28th and E. Franklin Streets), free admission, 6 – 10 p.m.
Celebrate America’s 400th Anniversary the Church Hill way … with food and beverages. Join in the fun on Libby Hill Park to commemorate the Godspeed's historic journey from Jamestown to Richmond. Just below the park at the City’s Intermediate Terminal, the Godspeed will be welcoming visitors for public touring. At the top of the hill, several of the neighborhood restaurants will be offering their special menu items for dinner in the park, while the Church Hill Association will be selling beverages. Entertainment and music will also be provided. At 9:15 p.m., enjoy the ”400 Candle Blow-Out Extravaganza“ fireworks display over the James River. For more information call (804) 814-1066 or visit www.churchhillrichmond.com.
* Schedule subject to change.