Downtown Richmond Virginia’s fab free three-day festival on the riverfront opens October 14 and runs through October 16, 2011. The final performers were announced last Thursday and include Original P (a funk band), Los Tres Reyes from San Antonio with their Spanish romantic music, Tibetan sacred music and dance by Tibetan Monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery in India, Circleville Ohio banjo musicians Tony Ellis and the Musicians of Braeburn and traditional Irish music by the Old Bay Ceili Band of Baltimore.  This annual festival, now in its fourth year, will feature over 20 performers and performing acts on seven stages throughout the weekend. SCHEDULE.  Most of the performers are new to Richmond this year, so this is not a repeat of previous year’s lineup!  And, though you will be able to find typical festival food, this year’s food vendors can take your tastebuds on a trip around the world with traditional foods running the gamut from Thai, Indian, Mexican, Italian to southern delectables like Cajun.

One of Virginia’s largest and most-loved events, The Richmond Folk Festival finds its roots in the National Folk Festival, held in Richmond in 2005, 2006, and 2007.  Richmond’s residents and visitors loved the riverfront festival along Tredegar and on Brown’s Island so much that when the National Folk Festival moved on, the Richmond Folk Festival was born and continues to get bigger and better each and every year. Last year more than 190,000 folks visited the Richmond Folk Festival. This year’s event promises to explore and celebrate the roots of the rich and diverse culture that we know as American culture through dance, music, crafts and food – to the delight of the entire family. Make plans to attend now! You don’t want to miss it.

From Nansemond Street to the Boulevard, West Cary Street in Carytown will be bustling with watermelon, musicians, vendors and people on Sunday August 7 2011 to take part in the 28th Annual Carytown Watermelon festival. The festival is expected to attract at least 115,000 visitors and here are a few tips to make your participation a fun event for the entire family.

1. Admission is free but you’ll need to bring cash to take advantage of street vendor specials and those tasty juicy cups of watermelon.

2. Pack and bring plenty of water for you and your children.

3. Your dog is welcome; but remember to bring your popper-scooper or disposable plastic doggie bag.

4. Protect yourself from the sun! Sunscreen, sunglasses and hats are de rigeur! And, test out the misting tents for a cool down!

5. Save gas and eliminate your parking hassles by carpooling, walking, or biking.

6. Save your feet! Wear walking shoes so you can enjoy the entire mile-of-style.

7. Bring your appetite! Your favorite Carytown restaurants will be open and over twenty different vendors will offer mouth-watering treats!

8. While alcohol is not sold at the festival, hit any Carytown hotspot for a cold beer or a watermelon inspired cocktail.

Carytown Watermelon festival More Information! MAP! This is undoubtedly one one Richmond’s favorite events! Don’t miss it!

Here it comes again! For the fourth time, the annual “smorgasbord in the street” will feature small plates of signature dishes from area restaurants for $3 each on Sunday June 5! Broad Appetit also features music, chef’s demonstrations, farmers’ market, art, and activities to keep you busy all afternoon. It starts at 11 AM and runs until 5 PM on West Broad Street between Adams Street and Monroe Street.  Admission is FREE, but samples will cost $3 each.  Hosted by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, proceeds benefit the Central Virginia Food Bank and Meals on Wheels.

4th Anual Broad Appetit Info. This great street fair enables you to sample Richmond’s best cuisine, all in one place.  Bring your appetite and graze down Broad Street; this opportunity only comes once a year! Bring your re-usable shopping bag and fill it up with produce from local farmers and producers for the next week’s meals. There will be plenty of beverages available for sale!

It’s traditionally been a great day so wear a hat and sunscreen, as well as comfortable walking shoes so you can take it all in. You won’t want to miss a single vendor!

Saints Constantine and Helen’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral proudly hosts this wonderful Richmond tradition, now in its 35th year. Legendary food, dancing, friends, and traditions are made each year at this festival which runs from Thursday through Sunday, which even provides a drive-through option to pick up dinner!

But driving through is not the best way to take part in the Greek Festival – residents and visitors alike flock to this event to try the food, watch the dancers and listen to the music, visit the vendors, tour the cathedral and sample Greek life.

The cathedral is located in the near west end neighborhood just at the edge of Richmond’s downtown. Directions.

This is one of Richmond’s best-kept secrets and an event not-to-be-missed.

It’s that time again! Dominion Riverrock returns on May 13 and 14th, the East Coast’s premier outdoor lifestyle festival.  Musicians, spectators, athletes, and even dogs take over Brown’s Island for a fantastic two-day festival. The party against the backdrop of Richmond’s downtown riverfront begins on Friday with music concerts, 5K mud run, acrobatic kayak and freestyle bike competitions.

Join the fun at Dominion RiverRock May 14 & 15 on the James River in downtown Richmond

Energy level heats up on Saturday with activities in and around the river: James River Scramble 10K Trail Run, mountain biking, kayaking, ultimate air dogs and much much more. This year’s event includes for the first time: bouldering and stand-up paddleboarding.

MORE DETAILS.

Downtown is in the middle of it all! And your innkeepers at the Fan District’s premier bed and breakfast are proud to be the closest bed and breakfast to all the action! Our urban inn is located one block from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park campus. Try an urban bed and breakfast for a better way to stay in Richmond Virginia!

The Earth Day celebration in Richmond On Saturday April 23rd promises to hold forth all things GREEN! The day long celebration is a resource for tips, contacts, and information to assist us all in becoming more eco-friendly by incorporating practices, products, and services in our everyday routines.

Have fun at Earth Day Richmond April 23 Noon to 7 PM

This year’s festival will include vendors, artists, farmers, and activities for all ages.  There’s even a FISH FEST riverside on the James River and, of course a diverse collection of local live bands including: Rattlemouth, Exebelle & the Rusted Cavalcade, Amazing Ghost, Black Girls, Horsehead, and more. Plenty of delicious local eats and drinks to fuel you up for the entire day.

So the festivities start at noon and end at 7PM on Saturday April 23rd in Richmond’s Manchester District where 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Streets will be blocked off at Hull Street. Come join the fun: celebrate, learn about techniques to help our environment, and best of all, spend the day outside!

See you there!  More Info

Easter Sunday brings out that Richmond favorite Easter on Parade.  Not a parade like you would normally expect, where bands and marchers march up the parade route! NO! Here in Richmond Virginia we do it a little differently; you’ll find bands and acts stationary on peoples’ porches along Monument Avenue. Parade go-ers parade up and down Monument Avenue taking part in all the festivities. Instead of an Easter Parade, we call it Easter on Parade – and it’s FREE!.

Monument Avenue's Easter on Parade April 24

Parade site is located on Monument Avenue between Allen and Davis Avenues, between the Robert E Lee and Jefferson Davis monuments.

It’s one of the most beloved of Richmond traditions. Each year more than 25,000 people converge on the four-block site to celebrate the arrival of spring and the beauty of Monument Avenue, taking this once-a-year opportunity to stroll in the streets with cars absent and removed. Music, arts, crafts, children’s activities, food, balloon artistry, a petting zoo, and of course, people and pet watching are all part of the celebration. This is a parade for all Richmonders and visitors to Richmond to come out and participate! Wear a hat or even an entire costume! There’s a hat contest so you better start making yours now.

If you happen to be in town for Easter, take part in this event and remember that the Fan district’s premier bed and breakfast inn is located just a short stroll – a few blocks – from Allen and Monument, giving you the perfect spot to stay and enjoy Easter in Virginia’s capitol city. The William Miller House is known for its hearty gourmet breakfast and it would be a great way to start your day with a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast to power a stroll up and down Monument Avenue!

The Official Richmond Region 2011 Visitors Guide is Here!

Hot off the press, the Richmond Region 2011 Visitors Guide has locals dishing about their favorite Richmond spots and instant access to bonus materials with smart phone tags throughout.

Be sure to turn to page 20 and find out why a trip to the Richmond Region is must in 2011.

The Official Richmond Region 2011 Visitor Guide

History. It All Starts Here.

Your Guide to Richmond Travel and Tourism

Discover history, adventure and an easily accessible location in the Historic Richmond Region. Here, more than 400 years of American history live on through magnificent architecture, monument-lined cobblestone streets, and world-class museums – for an experience that’s anything but textbook.

But the area makes history in other ways, too. Brave the gorgeous yet intense James River, which distinguishes the Richmond Region as the only urban setting with Class IV rapids. It’s just one form of outdoor recreation for thrill seekers. Event planners will love the Greater Richmond Convention Center, a prime destination for meetings and groups. See how the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is expanding its world-class offerings. And with more than 900 restaurants, diverse shopping and enticing events, the Region is ideal for weekend getaways and vacations.

There is no better way to beat the heat than with ice cold watermelon! Now in its 27th year, the Carytown Watermelon festival attracts over 100,000 folks to the “Mile of Style” as the Carytown shopping and dining district of Richmond is known to residents and visitors alike.  Between 10 Am and 6 PM, over 80 musicians will appear on 8 stages scattered through Carytown, along with over 100 exhibitors, and food vendors making the Carytown Watermelon Festival Virginia’s largest one day festival! MAP And you won’t be able to miss the thousands of watermelons! There will be lots of family fun, with a kids’ zone to keep the kids entertained. But seriously, when you come – be prepared for the heat and protected from the sun. Frequently asked questions.

Carytown’s Mile of Style is just a mile from our Fan District bed and breakfast, make sure you include Carytown in your Richmond visit!  With its special events, shopping in unique boutiques, and dining options, Carytown just can’t be beat!

Success! Broad Appetit, a culinary event in its third year, raised $8,000 for FeedMore, the umbrella organization for the Central Virginia Foodbank and Meals on Wheels.  This year’s event, on June 6th, attracted over 25,000 people and some of the best restaurants and caterers in the Richmond area. Next year’s Broad Appetit will return to Broad Street near Belvidere a few blocks from our Richmond inn on June 5, 2011.  2010 Award winners included Fan restaurants: Acacia mid-town (for their signature soft-shell sandwich with goat cheese-stuffed squash blossoms) and Avenue 805 (for their profiteroles with sweet cream cheese and raspberry filling topped with chocolate ganache).

The first weekend in June always has a lot to offer: First Friday Artwalk, Broad Appetit, and this year in 2010 A 10K Stride Through Time. Broad Appetit brings together Richmond’s restaurants to a few blocks of Broad Street so that attendees can sample their dishes for a nominal fee.  Plenty of cold beverages can be found as well. It is a great way to get a taste of Richmond’s culinary experts and make a list of restaurants to visit at a later date.  It’s over for 2010 but the 2011 date has been announced (June 5th).  Make your plans now to partake in one of Richmond’s best new events, next year will be only the fourth, and already attracting huge crowds. So make a reservation now for a culinary gourmet weekend next year with a stay at Richmond’s gourmet bed and breakfast in the historic Fan District, near Virginia Commonwealth University.