September festivals

September brings summer to an end, but not before some awesome festivals get their due.

September 26, 2014; 7:08 AM • by Nathan Cushing

Original — September 05, 2014

State Fair of Virginia

Rides, petting zoos, cotton candy, face painting, it’s all here, people! Pro tip: pick up ride wristbands ($15 – $21) to give you unlimited rides.

• September 26th – October 5th
• Meadow Event Park • I-95 Exit 98 (Doswell)
• $8 – $15

Virginia Pridefest 2014

With vendors and music galore, Pridefest 2014 will undoubtedly be a fun time. The annual event has grown so much that organizers have moved from last year’s location (Kanawha Plaza) to Brown’s Island.

• Saturday, September 27th • 1:00 – 8:00 PM
• Brown’s Island
• FREE

Capital Ale House Oktoberfest

Enjoy live music, German dance groups, and over 100 craft and imported brews. Soak it all in with giant pretzels, bratwurst, knockwurst, currywurst, sauerbraten and dumplings with ginger snap gravy, Jaegerschnitzel, German potato salad, red cabbage, spaetzel and sauerkraut.

• Saturday, September 27th • Begins at 12:00 PM
• Capital Ale House • 623 E. Main Street
• $3

Richmond Italian Festival

La dolce vita arrives as the 17th Street Farmers Market becomes a quaint Italian village. Explore (and taste) Italian culture while helping some good causes, including a program giving financial assistance for VCU students in the Italian Studies program.

• Saturday, September 27th – Sunday, September 28th
• 17th Street Farmers Market
• FREE

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Previously

FALL LINE FEST

The go-to festival for food, music, and art returns for its second year with acts like The Hold Steady, Death, Rapsody, and SO MANY more. Add food prepared by chefs from the likes of Social 52, The Blue Goat, Toast PLUS art at Gallery5 and Quirk, and you’ve got a great way to kick-off September.

• Friday, September 5th – Sunday, September 6th
• Various locations
• $20 – $75

Harvest Wine Festival

Head out to James River Cellars to celebrate the fall harvest with live music, wine tastings, wine 101 seminars, tours, food, and craft vendors. Pro tip: makes for a great picnic!

• Saturday, September 6th • 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• James River Cellars • 11008 Washington Highway (Glen Allen)
• $20

All Brass Kick Off Bash at the Modlin Center

Modlin Center kicks off its new season with an atom bomb of brass bands, food trucks, beer trucks, and more. Local favorites No BS! Brass Band will join Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band (and others) to make it one bangin’ brass bash.

• Sunday, September 7th • 12:00 PM
• University of Richmond, Westhampton Green
• $10 – $34

Wizard World Richmond Comic Con

Stars of The Walking Dead, Guardians of the Galaxy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Breaking Bad, and MANY more join comic book artists and vendors at this mammoth comic convention.

• Friday, September 12th – Sunday, September 14th
• Greater Richmond Convention Center • 403 N. 3rd Street
• $75 – $400

Dooley Wine & Beer Classic

Maymont’s young professionals group, The Dooley Noted Society, will have some of Virginia’s best brews from Ardent, Hardywood, Center of the Universe, Rusty Beaver, Legend, and more on hand. It’s a great way to make new friends.

• Friday, September 12th • 7:00 – 10:30 PM
• Maymont, Children’s Farm Lawn
• $15 – $35

43rd Street Festival of the Arts

Head out to Forest Hill for the 23rd annual event showcasing some of the finest, funkiest, and functional art and crafts while taking in some live music. Proceeds go to the good folks at Caritas.

• Saturday, September 13th • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Forest Hill Avenue and 43rd Street
• FREE

RVA Peace Festival

The Peace Festival comes at a good time. With arts, crafts, food, games, advocacy, and multi-cultural and faith exhibitors, this festival will help restore our faith in the world.

• Saturday, September 13th • 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church • 6000 Grove Avenue
• FREE

Richmond Spoke & Hop Fest

Craft beer and bikes! Come out and experience over 50 cycling advocates, vendors, Virginia breweries, music, food, and film. Proceeds go to the Richmond Regional Ride Center and the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild.

• Saturday, September 13th • 12:00 – 9:00 PM
• Hardywood Park Craft Brewery • 2408 Ownby Lane
• $10 – $35 (plus fees)

Tubes & Taps

Beer AND tubing!?! Heck yeah! Get yourself tickets–which includes transportation from Crossroads, a meal, live music, and Foothills and New Belgium tap offerings–and say goodbye to summer with some fun.

• Sunday, September 14th • 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
• Crossroads • 3600 Forest Hill Avenue
• $40

Shockoe on the Half Shell

Raw? Steamed? Fried? No matter how you love your oysters, Shockoe on the Half Shell has you covered. Sample oysters and other dishes from local chefs while sipping beer and listening to music.

• Sunday, September 14th • 12:00 – 5:00 PM
• 17th Street Farmers Market
• FREE

Armenian Food Festival

Live music, dancing, and food, including the Hye Burger (voted one of Richmond’s best burgers) await you at one of Richmond’s most underrated festivals.

• Thursday, September 18th – Sunday, September 21st
• St. James Armenian Church • 834 Pepper Avenue
• FREE

ST. BENDEDICT OKTOBERFEST

This is one of Richmond’s most popular events. And for good reason: German dancing, cuisine, and brews make this an Oktoberfest not to miss.

• Friday, September 19th – Sunday, September 21st
• St. Benedict Catholic Church • 300 N. Sheppard Street
• FREE

Festival of India

More than 20,000 people (!) attended last year’s event. Folks, this is the place to experience Indian food, culture, music, dance, and tradition in the region. Don’t sleep on it.

• Saturday, September 20th – Sunday, September 21st
• Greater Richmond Convention Center • 403 N. 3rd Street
• FREE

VCU Broad Street Mile

A combined festival, 5k, and fun run, this year’s Broad Street Mile features runs for all types of people (and dogs): a 5k to kick off the event, and five themed one-mile races. Not interested in running? Come out for food trucks, vendors, kids activities, and live music.

• Saturday, September 20th • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• W. Broad Street between N. Belvidere Street and Hermitage Road
• FREE

RVA Fido Fest

This new dog-focused event has performances from America’s Got Talent 2012 winner the Olate Dogs, interactive areas for owners and dogs, dog-related vendors, beer, and food.

• Sunday, September 21st • 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Brown’s Island Park • Bottom of 12th Street
• $5 in advance ($10 at the door)

Photo by Eli Christman

September 26, 2014 7:08 AM 1