Spring festivals

April is really just the wee morning hours of the year’s long, long festival season which culminates in an October that will really blow your festival-attending socks off. So until then you will need to be content with April’s offerings. Attend and enjoy!

April 5, 2011; 12:00 PM • by Ross Catrow

Spring is upon us, and it is time for Old Man Winter to don his shapeless slippers and shuffle off down the hall to the cafeteria — it’s steak nugget day. And, in his place, the shining visage of April appears!

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Civil War and Emancipation Day

The real star, the belle of the ball, of April is Civil War and Emancipation Day. Through some incredible feats of cooperation and planning nearly all of Richmond’s vast collection of history oriented museums are FREE. Zero dollars and zero cents. Your chance at a gamillion free museums only comes once a year, so plan accordingly.

Saturday, April 16 • 10am – 4pm

Free admission will be offered by the following attractions:

The American Civil War Center
Black History Museum & Cultural Center
Elegba Folklore Society
John Marshall House
Library of Virginia
Lumpkin’s Jail
Maggie Walker National Historic Site
Museum of the Confederacy
Negro Burial Grounds
Richmond National Battlefield Park
Richmond Reconciliation Statue
Richmond Slave Trail Commission
Segway of Richmond
Valentine Richmond History Center
Venture Richmond – River District Canal Cruises
Virginia Historical Society
Virginia State Capitol

Chili Cook Off

I’m not really sure this event is actually about chili at all. Put on by local “new rock” radio station 102.1 The X at the Raceway, I can guarantee you lots of people, music, and booze. Sounds about right for a festival if you ask me!

Saturday, April 16 • Noon
Richmond Raceway Complex
Starting at $25

Easter Parade

DOGS IN HATS, CITIZENS. DOGS. IN. HATS. I am assured by my people that you will see at least one dog in a hat parading down Monument Avenue Sunday, April 24th. Not only hats, but the dogs are also known to wear “sweaters, costumes, and all kinds of things!”

Sunday, April 24 • 1pm – 5pm
Monument Avenue between Allen and Davis avenues
Free!

Little Sisters of the Poor French Food Festival

Who knew that the Little Sisters of the Poor were actually a thing! Not only are they a thing, but they are hosting their third annual French food festival featuring lots of butter, cream, and accents over letters.