‘Say it’s your birthday

Virginia Commonwealth University is going to have a party on Sat., Oct. 25, from noon until 5 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free! VCU is celebrating its 40th anniversary in Monroe Park. It’s all part of VCU’s Fall Fest weekend and you, dear reader, are invited to the party … even free parking is available. Sabrina […]

October 23, 2008; 2:24 PM • by FTRea

Virginia Commonwealth University is going to have a party on Sat., Oct. 25, from noon until 5 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free!

VCU is celebrating its 40th anniversary in Monroe Park. It’s all part of VCU’s Fall Fest weekend and you, dear reader, are invited to the party … even free parking is available.

Sabrina Squire, from WWBT12, will be the emcee for the afternoon’s festivities. Headlining the musical fare will be the Taters  (pictured above at the 2007 Monument Ave. Easter Parade) — an excellent choice for a party — as the band has long enjoyed a well-deserved following among local live music aficionados. Plus, there will be a variety of events and displays aimed at the entire family.

For more about the way VCU is celebrating its birthday, click here to visit the website devoted to the anniversary. Much of the information below about the party comes from Bryan Brown at VCU.

The Community Village

The Community Village will showcase VCU’s neighbors and their unique features and contributions.

Neighboring communities of the Monroe Park Campus and the MCV campus as well as other city entities have been invited to participate in the Community Village. They include: Carver, the Fan District, Oregon Hill, Jackson Ward, Randolph, the Monroe Park Advisory Council and the City of Richmond. Each “community” will have an exhibit.

About the VCU Village: One section of the park will be dedicated to portraying VCU’s storied partnership with the City of Richmond, the surrounding counties and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Some of the exhibits in the village include:

• A Health Fair sponsored by the VCU Health Systems
• “Every day, a new discovery” – an exhibit featuring new discoveries and cutting edge technology at VCU
• A VCU “Ask it” booth
• VCU Alumni tent
• VCU 40 acts of caring

The International Village

This area of display will highlight VCU’s international programs; it will include cultural exhibits.

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At the heart of the festival’s goals is to provide energetic and creative entertainment. In addition what will happen on the main stage, other recreational activities include: a Climbing Wall and lawn games; plus, a children’s fair with face painting; balloon animals and inflatable games.

Naturally, food and beverages will be available (Greek, African, hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes, etc.). Several vendors will be on hand.

By the way, the bands were chosen by VCU students and the rest of the Richmond community by voting for them using the VCU 40th anniversary website. The Taters got the most votes, so they are headlining the show. (Hey, in spite of my usual reluctance to brag about such things, I simply must mention that your narrator was the one who nominated the Taters, early on, in VCU’s vote-for-the-bands election.)

Schedule of events on the Main Stage

• 12:00 p.m – Kickoff: Opening remarks, singing of the National Anthem and introduction of the emcee.

• 12:10 p.m to 12:45 — Becky Taylor and Open Fire (bluegrass)

• 1 p.m to 1:45 – Unheard Concept (alternative Rock)

• 2 p.m to 2:45 — Earthtone (hip hop/rap)

• 3 p.m to 3:45 — Antero (reggae)

• 4 p.m to 4:45 — The Taters (rockabilly/quirky rock)

• 4:45 — Closing remarks

To ensure the health and safety of festival attendees and participants, VCU Police will collaborate with Richmond’s Police Department and the Division of Parks and Recreation and the Fire Department to provide police officers, first-aid stations and restroom facilities.

Free parking is available in the VCU parking decks at Main Street, Broad Street and Jefferson Street parking decks. Please click here for directions.

October 23, 2008 2:24 PM 0