5 Things: Biking, crafting, learning, eating, and honoring St. Patrick

Drink large amounts of alcohol this weekend! Or fill your head with culture and knowledge! Or do both!

March 10, 2016; 8:04 AM • by Rachel Marsh

Photo by: Jenn and Tony Bot

1. St. Patrick’s Day

1a. Shamrock the Block

This festival was created to celebrate and honor the history of Ireland and the bishop St. Patrick himself. No, guys, I’m totally joking, unless St. Patrick was the “Apostle of copious amounts of Irish car bombs and funny four-leaf-clover hats.”

• Saturday, March 12th • 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• The Boulevard between Leigh and Broad Streets
• Free!

1b. St. Paddy’s Palooza at Innsbrook

This event is great for kids, as it includes moon bounces, face painting, pony rides, and more. Adults can probably participate in all of these activities as well, but don’t quote me on that. If they tell you you’re too old, you can drown your grief and embarrassment in green-colored booze. Or shave your head so no one recognizes you. It’s for a good cause!

• Saturday, March 12th • 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Innsbrook Pavilion, 4901 Lake Brook Drive
• Free!

2. Craftmen’s Classic

For some reason, when I think of crafts, I think of popsicle stick houses. I have no idea why. Luckily, when these guys think of crafts, they think of ornate sculptures, wood carvings, pottery, and other impressive handiwork not made out of cheap wooden ice cream bar holders.

• Friday, March 11th – Sunday, March 13th • see site for times
• Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue
• $8 for adults, $1 for children

3. Cultural Festivals

3a. 14th Annual North Indian Festival

Take a break from celebrating Ireland this month, and give India a little attention too. There’s exotic food which is probably delicious, dazzling clothing which are probably more impressive in person, and a Bhangra competition. Don’t worry, I had to look it up too.

• Saturday, March 12th • 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• 6641 Ironbridge Parkway
• Free!

3b. Taste of Ghana Food Expo

Cool! Culture and history and stuff of Ghana! But more importantly…cool! Taste and cuisine and stuff of Ghana! Because, let’s be honest, the best part of all festivals is the food.

• Saturday, March 12th – Sunday, March 13th • 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Richmond International Raceway, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue
• Free!

4. 5th Annual GroundForce IT Snowflake Ride

WAIT! KEEP READING! YES, THIS IS CALLED “SNOWFLAKE RIDE” BUT THIS HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH SNOW! I PROMISE! Richmond Cycling Corps and GroundForce IT is putting together their fifth annual bike race to support Richmond Cycling Corps. If you’re crazy, you could sign up for the 18-mile Half Flake. If you’re really crazy, you could sign up for the 34-mile Flake. If you’re extra insanely crazy, you could sign up for the 42.5-mile Super Flake. And if you’re normal, you can hang out following the race for the after party filled with live music and free, yes free, beer.

• Sunday, March 13th • 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Richmond Bicycle Studio, 1717 Summit Avenue
• $30

5. Schools and Jails in the Long Shadow of Slavery

Slavery is a large part of our Richmond history, but fortunately when it ended, it ended immediately and we’ve had no lingering consequences. Right? Weeellll…maybe not exactly. This Tuesday, listen to a panel of super intelligent people discuss the effects of slavery on our current school systems and jails. You can even pick their brains afterwards. And hey, you might learn a thing or two.

• Tuesday, March 15th • 7:00 – 9:00 PM
• Visual Arts Center, 1812 W. Main Street
• Free!

Bonus Thing: Time Travelers: A Free Weekend of Richmond History

This weekend, 14 museums around town are saying “You don’t exist!!” to their entrance fees and letting guests in for free. All you have to do is flash this fancy passport (PDF) at them, either printed or from your phone, and you’ll have free access to 14 historic museums all over Richmond. For all of you museum nerds out there, it’s like a super belated Christmas gift! Or a really, really early one.

• Saturday, March 12th – Sunday, March 13th • Museum times vary
• All these museums here
• Free! Which is the point!

March 10, 2016 8:04 AM · in Fan of the Fan, Near West End News, and more 0