This ode to summer's red orb is coming up in a week or so and it's a blast. I didn't go last year,…read moreso it's time to head out for some of our region's best tomatoes and a dose of country and bluegrass music. The event is at Pole Green Park and it's free. It's also usually a scorcher so wear something cool and bring plenty of water. They have tons of vendors, recipe contests, and of course, the beauty pageant to end all vegetable pageants, "Little Miss Tomato". The winner of that title may need therapy for the rest of their adult life, although I suppose it's better than "Little Miss Watermelon".

Very nice area Festival with loads of vendors, many that you'd come across at like events…read more The organizers have the event down to a science with parking, but my hunch is to avoid long lines as it be, go before noon (say, 9 am) and you'll be fine ... though you won't be the first car in the spacious lot. On a summer Saturday, it's a good way to stroll around the grounds, pick up a bundle of free pens, grab some local tomatoes, and have quality family time with food and musical performances.

This is a cute neighborhood celebration. There's a nice selection of local crafters, live music, a…read moreflea market inside Fox Elementary School and just a fun day of hanging out in the Fan. There's also some delicious strawberry shortcake for sale. This probably isn't an event where you'd spend the whole day, but it's a nice hour or two of fun. The last time I went I got some cool wall art from a local potter. There are also some kid-focused tents and activities.

The 31st Strawberry Street Festival kicks off in 2010 on May 8th from 12 noon to 4:30 pm. It is a…read moregathering to help raise funds for PTA funded programs such as grade level tutoring, Theatrix, Arts In Education, Spanish and Music. This elementary school is a classic and one of the best in the city. There is a Flea Market, Silent Auction, Raffle, Art Market, rides, food, and games. The vendors here are always amazing and I have always found something to buy. Prices are affordable and it is an amazing event for kids and adults alike. One of my favorite in Richmond events.

This is the best festival Richmond has to offer. Everything is down one street. There's TONS of…read morevendors and as much watermelon as you can eat.

I enjoyed myself at this year's watermelon festival. This was the first year I attended; previously…read moreI didn't bother being that I don't like watermelon. It turns out the festival actually is primarily just regular vendors with some random cut watermelon tents. Arrive early, as it's August in the South and thus can get toasty quickly.

This is one of my favorite annual food festivals in Richmond. You are absolutely spoilt for choice,…read moreand with most restaurants serving generous tastings at $3-5 you can sample to your stomach's content without breaking the bank. Of course everyone has favorites, I never leave without Mama J's southern cooking or Happy Empanada, but I definitely recommend trying at least one new restaurant and meal while you're here. This year I am so glad I tried The Shaved Duck Restaurant's Parisian gnocchi with confit duck. Never something I would have ordered off a menu, but was the best thing I've had in a long time! In addition to three blocks of restaurant booths, there are also a variety of craft vendors, a free phone charging station, two music stages, and usually a few street performers to entertain the crowd. Street parking is free in most areas on Sundays but is extremely limited, so be prepared to walk. The festival is pet and family friendly, but it can get very, very crowded, so leave your giant strollers and anxious pups at home.

I've been wanting to come to this food festival for years. The best Richmond Restaurants all lined…read moreup in tents on Broad Street serving out small plates of food for only $3, umm yes please, you don't even have to pull my leg. I was able to try food from about 6 different vendors, my favorite being a smoked chicken taco from Brazza Kitchen. There were a ton more available but the lines were off the chain ridiculous, I'm talking about 15-20 minute waits while standing on concrete in 90 degree heat. After about an hour and a half my friend and I had to leave. This experience definitely helped me prepare better for next year... GO EARLY! Shorter lines, lower temperatures and no sold out food.

The Armenian Food Festival is an annual fall festival hosted by St. James Armenian Church, just…read morewest of the city. There is no dedicated parking, so you'll need to find parking in the surrounding quiet neighborhood. Prices for food and drinks are reasonable, and they have entertainment and some goods to purchase too. It's like a mini version of the Greek festival. I personally love the meat pie - that is my go-to. The festival is known for their hye burger though, which is a mix of beef and lamb (and I don't eat lamb). All in all, I'm a fan and look forward to attending again next year.

The first time I was actually here was back in 2010. I actually use to volunteer here and the…read morepeople that are in charge of this festival are really great people. The last time I was here (besides yesterday) was 2013 because I had always have something going on during those weekends. Anyways, the hue burgers are ALWAYS an amazing choice (you can get those right at the entrance on the left side). I got the combo with the pita bread, sautéed onions, stewed tomato green beans and pilaf. (I got full off of half of it and saved the rest for my hubby.) not only did I not finish my food, I went through the buffet line and got a to go box with the cheese and spinach boreg (sp?), meat pie, and the dessert. Let's say that once I walked through the doors, the leftover food and to go food was gone within 10-15 mins. Haha. The boregs were crispy and filling, the meatpie was REALLY good (I honestly thought the meat in a wrap was gonna be alright, but it ended up being my favorite to go). The dessert of the baklava and others (sorry! I don't know the names) ended up being the perfect touch in ending the Armenian meal. Festival is great, the people who run it are fun and wonderful, food is amaze-balls and these festivals are serious the reasons I love so much about Richmond. Def go and enjoy the experience!

I visited Maymont on a recent trip to Richmond and was surprised at the size of the estate,…read moreespecially considering that the gardens and outdoor areas function as a free public park. The grounds are beautiful with plenty of areas to relax and picnic. There were lots of people out enjoying the good weather but it never felt crowded. It's a little confusing trying to figure out what things require a ticket/paid admission. On the map they provide, there's no indication that a ticket is needed for the mansion, but one is in fact required. However you have to buy a ticket at the Stone Barn by the entrance. You can try buying on the website but I didn't have great signal. Instead I backtracked to the Stone Barn to get a ticket but the prices were higher than what I was told at the Mansion and they appeared to be limited to timed entry and all the time slots were sold out. Long story short, I didn't see the inside of the mansion, but still spent a good couple hours exploring the outdoor areas. Which was all free so I count that as a win.

Gorgeous home to tour! We really enjoyed our visit and all of the people working were super helpful…read moreanswering any questions we had.

My wife and I visited LGBG to see the new butterfly exhibit. We got there early enough to walk…read morearound the grounds for an hour. What a beautiful setting! Lots of carefully thought out flower / plant beds spread over a huge park-like area. We could see the staff (or volunteers) weeding, replacing, and caring for the plants to keep everything healthy and fresh. A children's presentation was taking place over under the shade in one area, and it was entertaining and informative enough that I wanted to stop and listen. A restaurant and a large meeting hall (one of the older houses) and a music performance pavilion and a gift shop rounded out the setting, along with the various sheltered exhibit buildings. There is also a refreshment cart on the main pathway, which was invaluable on this hot day. The butterfly exhibit was absolutely enthralling. Hundreds of live flutter-byes in a closed glassed in space. Many colors and varieties. I am told they curate the butterflies to replace them every week or so as they inevitably.... go to insect heaven. So the exhibit is constantly changing! Admission to the butterfly experience is included with the price of getting into LGBG.

The lowest skin turb botanical gardens is a beautifully well-maintained garden that's going to…read morechange throughout the seasons different things are in bloom it's a great place for photography or relaxing walks I haven't been here for the festival of lights but I do want to come back and see that.

It was super hot. Even in a tent…read more Price: Free admission but food and drink were a little bit expensive for the small portion. Water $2. Lechon $7. Rumpia $2. Cake $4. Halo halo $6. Taste: Delicious! Lechon(roasted pig) was simply good. Tender and juicy. The skin was crispy and flavorful. Halo halo(sweet bean, carnation milk, pudding, boiled banana, shaved ice, etc...) was good too. That was my first fantastic experience I've not done in Philippine somehow. Vender: Clothes, soap, info, etc... No Yelp this year... Historical Church tour: I didn't try but must be good. They kept saying, 'AC is there.' From 2:00 and 4:00pm. Show: Dance shows were fun. I'm not sure why they had some opera shows tho. Too loud. I wished they had a break time to enjoy talking with friends. Parking: Free.

Welcome to a taste of the Philippines right in Richmond' s backyard. The Filipino Fest was a…read moregreat way to get a flavor of the Filipino culture with a sampling of the cultures food, music, dancing, and great people. They had a tent with food to include favorites like turon, pancit, lumpia, & empanadas. Grab a meal ticket, check off what you'd like, take it up to the both and pay, then wait and they'll hand you your order. They do take square & card payments. They have tropical drinks: halo*halo, mango puree, & cantaloupe drink with fresh pieces inside. They had a Hawaiian shaved ice truck and a soda & water tent. They had a desert tent which I didn't visit there. The eating area was large with covered tents and also in the wooded area nearby. They had plenty of craft vendors, history tent, tourism tents, & best of all a Yelp tent make sure to meet the event rep take a pic, & get a free food voucher to use the event day! I Had a great time Mabuhay!