5 Things for Families: Amphibious princesses, Streets Alive!, veggie warriors, oysters, and kegs

Not sure what to do with your pops this Father’s Day weekend? Maybe these ideas will help you. Your dad likes princess storytimes, right?

June 17, 2015; 9:00 AM • by Valerie Catrow

Photo by: Jim, the Photographer

1. Movies in the Park: Maleficent

2015 Movies in the Park (presented by Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Community facilities) kicks off with a screening of Maleficent. I haven’t seen it, but my son has. Here’s his review:

“It’s good. It’s a little bit scary, but just a teeny-tiny bit. And the lady is neat-looking.”

There you have it, folks.

• Friday, June 9th • seating opens at 8:00 PM; movie begins at 8:30 PM
• Bryd Park, 600 S. Boulevard
• Free!

2. RVA Streets Alive!

Hey, cars! Got plans to cruise around Byrd Park on Saturday morning? Too bad. Those streets will closed for cars and opened up to the public. There will be vendors! There will be walking! There will be cycling! There will be running! There will be rollerblading…? Do people still do that? Well, I guess if they do, they’ll be doing it on Saturday.

• Saturday, June 20th • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Byrd Park (parking available at John B. Cary Elementary)
• Free!

3. 13th Annual Richmond Vegetarian Festival

Our kids recently decided that green beans (from our garden only), tomatoes, and red peppers are tolerable, so maybe he’d actually be interested in checking out the Vegetarian Festival out this year. The fact that they’ve got some incredible kids’ activities lined up–including Veggie Warrior 2015 which seems akin to American Ninja Warrior–only helps things.

• Saturday, June 20th • 12:00 – 6:00 PM
• Azalea Gardens at Bryan Park, 4308 Hermitage Road
• Free admission

4. Third Annual Father’s Day Keg ‘n’ Oyster Fest

I typically hesitate to suggest Mother’s or Father’s Day-specific activities because, hey, what the heck do I know about how you want to be celebrated/celebrate others? But this event taps (GET IT?!) into what most dads (or dudes, or just people) are into: Hardywood drafts; oysters and crab cakes from Rappahannock Oyster Company; and other snacks from the likes of King of Pops, Pizza Tonight, and Goatocado.

• Sunday, June 21st • 12:00 PM
• Hardywood Craft Brewery, 2408 Ownby Lane
• Free admission

5. Frog Princess Story Storytime

Preschoolers and elementary school students are invited to join the Frog Princess as she sings songs and tells stories. I assume licensing issues prevent them from using the name Tiana, but I’m guess that’s who they mean. Or maybe you’ll be read to by a giant amphibian with a crown on her head. Either way, it should be a good time.

• Monday, June 22nd • 2:00 PM
• Hull Street Library, 1400 Hull Street Road
• Free! (registration required; call 804.646.8699 to sign up)

June 17, 2015 9:00 AM 0