May Festivals: Strawberry Fields Festival

May expands with great elasticity to hold a million festivals. Remember winter? Me neither.

May 22, 2015; 9:04 AM • by Susan Howson

¿Qué Pasa? Festival

Celebrate the vibrant Latin American culture that is oft overlooked in our Civil War-obsessed town. Food, dancing, music, fun, and a lotta colors that, let’s be honest, the Canal Walk kind of desperately needs, as it turns into the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco.

Saturday, May 2nd • 11:00 – 7:00 PM
Canal Walk
Free!

ACCA Shriners Pork & Music Festival

All you can eat barbecue, people. ALL YOU CAN EAT. Oh, and music all day (or at least for the four hours this festival exists). The Kings of Swing will be there Viva la South.

Saturday, May 2nd • 1:00 – 5:00 PM
ACCA Temple, 1712 Bellevue Avenue
$25 in advance, $25 at the gate

Serving Downtown RVA Festival

This festival, run by Downtown Community Ministries, matches up nonprofits to people who want to help. Plus, food trucks and fun! All in the spirit of diversity and inclusivity.

Sunday, May 3rd • 12:00 – 3:00 PM
Grace Street between 7th and 5th
Free!

Central Virginia Wine Festival

The Richmond chapter of the Hokies, really hit this one on the head when they began a winey tradition in 2006. This year: TEN Virginia wineries (plus, they have beer) vie for your vote–JK you don’t have to vote. You just have to drink.

Saturday, May 9th • 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Innsbrook Pavilion
$20 online, $25 at the gate

Strawberry Street Festival

A family-friendly event that benefits Fox Elementary. Kids can get all wiggly and screechy over rides, games, strawberry things, food, raffles, and lots of other things. Enjoy the Fan in the springtime–it’s exhilarating!

Saturday, May 9th • 12:00 – 4:30 PM
William Fox Elementary School, Strawberry Street between Grove and Hanover
Free to attend!

Park Fest Blues

River City Blues Society of Virginia harmonizes with Pocahontas State Park to bring you the bluesiest festival in town this month. I imagine musicians in every thicket.

Saturday, May 9th • 1:00 – 9:00 PM
Pocahontas State Park, 10301 State Park Road
$15

Dominion Riverrock

The perfect mix of rugged outdoorsiness and jammin’ music. There is something for everyone at Riverrock, provided you like stepping outside the confines of your home.

Friday, May 15th – Sunday, May 17th • see site for schedule
Brown’s Island
Free to attend, various athletic endeavors cost money

Lebanese Food Festival

Lebanese food is a lot like Greek food, only different. I looked up the difference, and it just seems like Greek has more dairy and maybe some more oil (although various commenters yelled at each other about that? Either way, you’re going to get stuffed grape leaves and baklava to your heart’s content at this festival AND the Greek Festival, two weeks later.

Friday, May 15th – Sunday, May 17th
St. Anthony Maronite Church, 4611 Sadler Road
Free to attend! (I think, at time of writing, the details have not been released)

Strawberry Fields Festival

Fast for a few days, pack up the kids, and prepare to go stuff yourself with as many strawberries as you possibly can. With pony rides, hayrides, pick-your-own, or just-eat-the-ones-we-picked-already berries, what could be more fun? Oh, I know. Live music and food vendors.

Saturday, May 23rd • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Gallmeyer Farms, 3622 Darbytown Court
Free to attend! (Please leave pets at home)

Greek Festival

If trays full of the most delicious of Mediterranean cuisine is your thing, get yourself to the land of milk and honey that is the Westhampton area. Make a drive-through order if you wish, but do schedule some time to stop by and see the dancing, drink the delicious Greek wine, and stuff your face under some tents. I recommend lunchtime, it tends to get way crowded later on.

Thursday, May 28th – Sunday, May 31st, see site for schedule
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Malvern Avenue
Free to attend!

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ

Every year, that same pig! That same pig in the picture! Looking like it’s already dead, or at least bemoaning the fact that it’s about to be. I hear this festival is a wildly entertaining time involving a lot of flesh, both of the human and swine variety.