5 Things for Families: Wellness, bricks, berries, plays, and music

Memorial Day Weekend! Unofficial start of summer! WE DID IT!

May 25, 2016; 9:21 AM • by Valerie Catrow

Photo by: Geir Halvorsen

1. My Son Pinocchio Jr.

Come check out a musical retelling of the story of Pinocchio-this time for Geppetto’s perspective. Don’t worry, parents: this version of the story still includes beloved classics like “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings,” but also features new songs by Stephen Schwartz, Oscar- and Grammy Award-winning composer of Wicked and Godspell.

  • Thursday, May 26th through Sunday, May 30th • morning, afternoon, and evening performances available; see website for show times
  • The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road
  • $10-$15

2. Free Vision Screenings

Do your little one’s little peepers need a check? Conexus Vision is offering free vision screenings for kids, with the results provided in a “visual and informative report.” Vouchers for free eye exams and glasses will be provided for qualifying families with children in need of additional services.

  • Friday, May 27th • 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • St. James’s Children’s Center, 1205 W. Franklin Street (please enter through the playground)
  • Free!

3. Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks

This award-winning exhibit by New York artist Sean Kenney features 27 LEGO sculptures (created with half-a-million LEGO bricks) in 14 displays throughout Lewis Ginter. Sculptures include a 60-pound bumblebee; a dragonfly with a three-and-a-half-foot wingspan, and a red rose measuring in at seven feet tall!

  • Opens Friday, May 27th1 • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily2
  • Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue
  • Free with garden admission ($8-$13; members and children under 3 are free)

4. 12th Annual Strawberry Fields Festival

Gallmeyer Farms doubled its acreage of strawberries this year, so that means there will probably be enough to go around. Come celebrate the start of berry-picking season with free hayrides, plenty of picnic space, and pick-your-own strawberries for $2.69 per pound.3

  • Saturday, May 28th through Monday May 30th • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • The Berry Patch at Gallmeyer Farms, 3622 Darbytown Court
  • Free admission, parking, and activities

5. Memorial Day Concert

Remind your kids (and maybe yourself?) why you all have the day off on Monday with the City’s annual commemoration of Memorial Day at the World War I Memorial Carillon. Larry Robinson, Richmond’s carillonneur, will pay tribute to our nation’s veterans through the ringing of the Carillon Bells, followed by a concert from The Virginians Barbershop Chorus.

  • Monday, May 30th • 4:00 PM
  • The Carillon, Byrd Park
  • Free
  1. Runs through Sunday, September 18th ↩
  2. Until 9:00 PM on Thursdays in June, July, August, and September ↩
  3. $3.69 per pound for pre-picked. ↩
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Valerie Catrow

Valerie Catrow is editor of RVAFamily, mother to a mop-topped first grader, and always really excited to go to bed.

May 25, 2016 9:21 AM · in , , and more 0

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