October may just be the perfect month for festivals in Richmond. It's hard to explain, but the slight cooling off in the weather, combined with the turning of the leaves just seems to speak to us, saying "In autumn, don't go to jewelers to see gold; go to the parks!" ~Mehmet Murat ildan. We have put together a small list of events that are sure to spark your interest:
25th Annual Second St. Festival
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 and 6, in Historic Jackson Ward. The music begins at 11:30 a.m. and will feature Morris Day and the Time and Be’la Dona on Saturday, and on Sunday premier Virginia gospel artists Maggie Ingram and the Ingramettes will close out the festival. It's also free. People are asked to bring photos of past festivals and the neighborhood, and they will be scanned while you wait. Food vendors will be selling food as well as vendors in the market place.
As part of the 25th Anniversary celebration, event organizers Venture Richmond are working with the Black History Museum and Cultural Center and the Valentine Richmond History Center to document the history and memories of 2nd Street, the Festival, and of the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood.
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.”
Oystoberfest in Ginter Park
It's "Oyster Roast Saturday" in Richmond again on October 5th, 12-6 p.m., at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 3602 Hawthorn Avenue. Featured will be Rappahannock River oysters, fried, steamed or grilled, and hot dogs, Brats, beer and music. They also have a Kids Zone for the little ones. Admission is a $2.00 donation, and food and drinks are a few dollars more.
Second Annual Hops and Harvest Festival
The festival starts at noon on Saturday October 5 at Pocahontas State Park, which is located at 10301 State Park Road in Chesterfield. Make a note, that the park is not affiliated with the federal government, so the show will go on as planned. Tickets are $16.50 in advance, or $20 at the door. To enter and park at the venue is $5 a vehicle.
Tickets for beer tastings: a $1 ticket buys a three-ounce taste and $5 buys a full serving. There will be ten different breweries providing a total of 20 different varieties of beer, including pumpkin and seasonal brews.
The breweries participating in this event include: Starr Hill Brewing Company, Devils Backbone BrewingCompany, Center of the Universe Brewing, Bold Rock Hard Cider, Hardywood, Midnight Brewery, O’Connor Brewing Co., Legend Brewing Co, & STRANGEWAYS BREWING.
7th Annual Bark in the Park
Sponsored by the Henrico County Humane Society, in partnership with Henrico County Division of Recreation and Parks, this fun-filled event is being held Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Deep Run Park. While the event is free, there will be a registration fee for the "Dog Walk." All proceeds will go to benefit Henrico Humane Society. There will be music, vendors, a moon walk, petting zoo and food for people and their pets, so come on out and enjoy yourselves. Your pets will love you for it.
The 2nd annual International Food Festival
Cathedral Of the Sacred Heart at 800 South Cathedral Place, is hosting an international food festival for the second year in a row on Saturday, October 5, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For only $2.00, you can sample foods from all around the globe. Full portions are $5.00, and beer and wine are available. Try the cuisine of the Middle East, or the Asian Pacific. Then there is Latin Caribbean foods, and the food of Western Europe. Just don't forget to bring an appetite.
