Festivals and Events
Downtown Events
Schedule of events – October 2007
Continuing events in October
River District Canal Cruises (fall season Oct. 1 - Nov. 18)
Friday and Saturday noon – 7 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.
Canal Turning Basin - Dock and 14th Streets, $5 adults, $4 seniors and children (5 to12 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) 788-6466 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 region’s 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.
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 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. For more information call (804) 646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.
Special events in October
Second Street Festival
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 6 – 7
Jackson Ward Neighborhood, 2nd Street from Broad Street north to Jackson Street, free admission, Saturday Noon – 10 p.m., Sunday 1 – 6 p.m.
The hands of time are turned back to the past when 2nd Street was the heart and soul of Richmond’s African-American community. Each year, approximately 45,000 people come to Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward to hear live music on four stages, enjoy children’s activities, taste delicious food, shop in the marketplace and dance in the streets. For more information call (804) 788-6466 or www.venturerichmond.com.
National Folk Festival
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 12 -14
Brown’s Island/The American Civil War Center at Tredegar/the NewMarket (formerly Ethyl) Corporate Headquarters site/parking lot at the Federal Reserve Bank, free admission
The nation’s largest and most prestigious celebration of the arts is coming to Richmond for the third year of the three-year tenure! The National Folk Festival embraces the heritage and traditions of all Americans, from those who have been here for centuries to the most recent immigrants. Legendary masters and the next generation of dynamic young artists will celebrate the musical soul and cultural roots of America on seven stages of continuous music and dance. World-class instrument makers from across Virginia, parades, puppet shows and ethnic foods round out the three-day extravaganza. The National Folk Festival will engage the community, bringing together diverse groups and drawing visitors from across the country. For more information call (804) 788-6466 or www.nationalfolkfestival.com.
AIA Richmond’s 4th Annual Front Porch
Thursday, Oct. 18
Corrugated Box Building, 201 W. 7th Street, free admission, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The AIA Richmond Chapter’s 4th Annual Front Porch party is a great success every year in bringing together Richmond’s Creative Community for networking, food, drink and live music. This year’s theme is Creative Intersections. For more information or to RSVP, call (804) 754-4120 or e-mail info@aiaric.org.
2007 McDonald’s ITU Long Course Duathlon World Championships
Sunday, Oct. 21
2nd Street at Byrd St. (NewMarket property), free admission for spectators, fee for participants, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Five hundred athletes from more than 25 countries are expected to compete in this year’s event featuring a 15k run, an 80k bike ride, and another 7.5k run through the streets of downtown Richmond. Richmond’s unique and diverse urban course will serve as a major draw for foreign and U.S. competitors. For more information call (804) 285-9495 or visit www.sportsbackers.org.
Run for READ
Saturday, Oct. 27
The American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar, free for spectators, fee for participants, 9 a.m.
The 8K course follows a scenic and fun mix of road and off-road terrain on Brown’s Island, across the bridge to Belle Isle and along downtown’s Canal Walk. Nearly 800 people will run and walk through historic downtown Richmond to raise money for The READ Center, a local non-profit organization that teaches adults to read. There will be family-fun festivities, including costume judging contests and pumpkin painting stations. For more information call (804) 353-1587 or visit www.runforread.org.
* Schedule subject to change