Ed 170: County Fair, Crabs & Beer Festival, The Start Of Pumpkin Season
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Did you see that a whopping 44 local companies in Richmond landed on Inc. Magazine's annual Inc. 5000 rankings? Huge congratulations to all of the local firms named — and a special congrats to fashion and lifestyle brand Sassy Jones, who moved from the 75th spot on the Inc. 5000 list last year up to the 24th spot this year. We love seeing RVA-based businesses get national recognition!
WEATHER
Wednesday: Mostly sunny; high of 95°, low of 73°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 92°, low of 73°
Friday: Mostly sunny; high of 96°, low of 74°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 6 pm: Melissa Etheridge at Meadow Event Park
Thursday, 7 - 11 pm: RVA Bachata at The Lilly Pad
Friday, 7 pm: Greensky Bluegrass at Maymont
CITY GUIDES
1. 6 Local Summer Cocktails to Beat the Heat
2. 15 Next-Level Date Night Ideas (That Aren't Just Dinner & A Movie)
3. The Ultimate RVA Summer Bucket List
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Jay & Alexis Carpenter: The husband-and-wife duo behind Handley Watches. Assembled in Richmond, this local watch brand launched last year to help active professionals transition throughout their days with a watch that is stylish, comfortable, and versatile. The idea to start the brand came to Jay when he was training for a triathlon and using his lunch breaks at work to get in a quick training run — he couldn’t find a watch that suited his needs, so he decided to create one!
You can check out Handley Watches for yourself here. We love a good reason to shop local!
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including another must-try frozen alcoholic treat you need to get your hands on in Scott’s Addition, the brand new (not Stella’s!) gourmet grocery that just opened in Near West End this past weekend, the surprisingly early arrival of pumpkin season kicking off this Friday, a whopping three different festivals happening in Richmond this coming weekend, and more!
THE LATEST:
THIS WEEK
New opening alert! The Stables Market just officially opened this past weekend at Libbie Mill featuring prepared foods from The Stable on Belmont as well as gourmet groceries, craft beer, wine, coffee, and local crafts and handmade products. One thing we're particularly stoked about: They carry freshly squeezed juices from The Beet Box in Carytown, so you can easily stock up on ‘em when you’re there for the rest of your weekly shopping trip in the Near West End.
Another must-try frozen alcoholic treat has arrived. Buskey Cider recently rolled out their new alcoholic soft-serve cider — first in Watermelon Rosemary, then in Tart Cherry. But now they’ve added a whole new layer of deliciousness (and Instagrammability) with their DRAGONFRUIT AÇAÍ flavor, available while supplies last. If you haven’t gotten your hands on this fuschia-hued treat yet, consider this your sign to head to Scott’s Addition and do so.
An all-you-can-eat crabs festival on the river? We’re in. This Saturday, don’t miss out on Crabs, Beers & Spirits by the James featuring hot and fresh crabs, an impressive schedule of live bands and DJ sets, both craft and domestic beer stands, and other local food vendors, all happening on Brown's Island with a beautiful view of the river and the city skyline. General admission is $20, or pay $45 to enjoy the all-you-can-eat crabs offering from 1 - 5 pm. Details and tickets here.
The County Fair kicks off this weekend, and we can already smell the funnel cake. The 108th Annual Chesterfield County Fair kicks off this Friday, August 27 and will run through next Saturday, September 4 at 10300 Courthouse Rd, about 20 minutes from downtown Richmond. Daily attractions will include the usual fair rides, a 3-ring circus, a hypnotist, an illusionist, a petting zoo, a beer garden, all of the tasty county fair foods you remember from your youth, and a lot more. Get your tickets here.
You have two weekends left to take advantage of sunflower season. This weekend (August 28 - 29) and next weekend (September 4 - 6) are your last chances to check out the Sunflower Festival at Liberty Mills Farm! With 5+ acres of 30+ different varieties of sunflowers, you'll have ample opportunity to snag a beautiful pick-your-own bouquet (not to mention some beautiful photos!). The festival will also be host to food trucks, homemade ice cream, freshly made fudge, and music. Get your tickets in advance here.
And surprise: Pumpkin season is here! Bet you weren’t expecting that since temperatures are still in the 90s, huh? Nonetheless, Isley Brewing Company will release their Stunt Dubbel pumpkin Belgian dubbel this Saturday, August 28 — and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery will be right behind them, releasing their Farmhouse Pumpkin cans next Friday, September 4. Ready or not, here fall comes!
COMING SOON
Much like pumpkin season, spooky season is on the horizon. RVA TukTuk just announced a "frighteningly unique" new tour of downtown Richmond in collaboration with Haunts of Richmond.
Explore the dark side of Virginia's capital city on this limited-time-only TukTuk ghost tour — each 1.5-hour private tour of terror can accommodate up to six passengers. Reserve yours here before they’re all booked up!
A new wine bar is coming soon to Downtown Richmond. From Mike Platania at Richmond BizSense, Henley on Grace will be a wine bar with over 100 types of wines, opening at 314 E Grace St in the space recently vacated by Red Door Restaurant. Owner William Wright (owner of the recently closed Bistro 27 on Broad) told Platania, “It’s definitely going to have the feel of a true wine bar” along with “light, fresh, almost like Californian cuisine.” We’ll be first in line!
Weekly Giveaway
Richmond International Film Festival
For a decade now, the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) has been a staple in the city as a local spotlight of arts and creativity. RIFF brings a six-day cavalcade of more than 150 cutting-edge award-winning films from 20 countries, PLUS 20 bands, panels, and signature community events at various venues across Richmond!
The festival kicks off Monday, September 7 and concludes Sunday, September 12 — and to celebrate, we're giving away:
A pair of two "ALL Music Passports" (valued at $45 each), which grant you access to all music events happening throughout festival week, with guaranteed reserved seating - to be awarded to lucky winner #1
A pair of two "5 Film Passes" (valued at $40 each), which grant you access to any 5 films of your choice throughout the week - to be awarded to lucky winner #2
To enter to win: Tell us which of the RIFF events you're looking forward to most!
Prefer to snag your tickets now? Members of The Richmond Experience can use promo code RIFFRichmondExp for 15% off advanced ticket sales — get yours here.
A full schedule of the 2021 films and music events can be found here. Be sure follow RIFF for more sneak peeks at @rvafilmmusicfest on Instagram.
Member Perks
Bugle Call Coffee
Locally owned by Helen Montgomery, Bugle Call Coffee is crafted just outside of Richmond. All of their coffees are carefully selected, roasted, blended, and shipped to order — a small-batch approach that allows Helen and her team to deliver coffee that's fresh, affordable, and equitable along the coffee shop supply chain.
From their signature Morning Formation blend (a favorite of the RVAx team!) to canned cold brew four-packs and way more, Bugle Call’s goal is to help you not just fuel your day but savor it, too.
Members of The Richmond Experience can use code RVAX for 20% off of your first order. Visit buglecallcoffee.com to start shopping now!
new + trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 29 new members this week: Susan F., Alex T., Hunter W., Alexander T., Darian C., Lauren B., James F., Chris C., Scarlett F., Caitie S., Caitie G., Mirissa S., Kyleigh N., Sam A., Laura F., Luke S., Meghan H., Jodi H., Annie W., Sara B., Meredith B., Madison W., Gerardo C., Katie K., Adam B., Adam N., Lauren M., David C., and Malik E., we're so glad you're here!
It takes a village, so let us know if you have any questions, thoughts, feedback, tips, or recs! Thanks for reading edition 170 of The Weekly Insider.
Stay cool!
- The Richmond Experience
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