Ed 177: Pumpkin Festival, Witch Market, Nightmare on Broad Street
Hey, y’all! Alicia here 👋
Eek, it’s starting! The leaves are finally starting to change colors, slowly but surely.
Don’t forget, the Virginia Department of Forestry expects that the peak period for fiery fall colors around Richmond will be October 11 - 25 — and you can click here for 11 of the best places to see fall foliage in RVA.
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 79°, low of 61°
Thursday: Partly sunny; high of 83°, low of 63°
Friday: Sunny; high of 86°, low of 66°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7 pm: John Carpenter's "The Thing" at The Byrd Theatre
Thursday, 9 pm - 1 am: Goth Karaoke at Fallout RVA
Friday, 6 - 11 pm: Tommy's Express: Tunnel of Terror
CITY GUIDES
1. 7 Fall Beers to Celebrate the Season
2. RVA Halloween Events Roundup
3. Pumpkin Spice, Apple, Cinnamon & More — The Best Fall-Flavored Food in RVA This Year
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Alex & Lauren Glaser, also known as The Glaser Group or @whyrichmondisawesome. In addition to running an awesome Instagram page, this dynamic duo also hosts fun and free virtual events like trivia, brunch bingo, and more with prizes from local businesses!
Next Thursday, October 21 at 6 pm, Alex and Lauren will host a live Truckle Cheesemongers Culture(d) Club cheese and butter tasting and do a Q&A with owner Maggie Bradshaw — mark your calendars to watch here, and order your own butter and cheese boxes here to enjoy while you follow along.
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including the pop-up Halloween bar concept offering craft cocktails in blood bags this month, the pumpkin festival you do not want to miss this weekend, where you can find the local witch market this Sunday, the upcoming wizarding world festival featuring a Triwizard Tournament with house winners, and much more.
THE LATEST:
THIS WEEK
Did anyone else ever listen to that song “A Nightmare on My Street” by Will Smith — uh, I mean DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince — when they were younger? I ask because even though I know the event is supposed to conjure images of Freddy Krueger, that song is the first thing that popped into my head when I learned that Switch Pop-Up Bar is hosting a spooky event series called Nightmare on Broad Street this month.
Either way, this new pop-up concept looks frightfully delightful. It’s taking place Fridays and Saturdays from 5 - 9 pm, now through October 30, at 13 W Broad St in the Arts District. Expect Insta-worthy Halloween decor and spooktacular craft cocktails like the “Witches Brew” (New Amsterdam apple vodka, blackberry syrup, grenadine, and a rock candy rim), “Love at First Bite” (Blackheart spiced rum, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, grenadine, blackberry syrup, served in a freakin’ blood bag), and more.
We’ll be sharing this on social media next week, but wanted to give our members (like you!) a heads up so you can check it out before it gets too packed. Happy haunting!
Ooh and ahh at outdoor illuminations. Garden Glow has returned to Maymont this month for a non-spooky seasonal celebration featuring glimmering greenery, shining shrubbery, and gleaming grounds in all sorts of beautiful colors, happening Wednesday through Sunday each week through November 7.
You can wander down the historic Woodland Trail to explore the iconic Japanese Garden and wander its dramatically radiant paths, then stick around after sunset at the Carriage House Lawn to see it transform into the “Glow Village” with food trucks, Glow Shop, fire pits, and an expanded Glow Bar. Find tickets and more details here.
Move over, Charlie Brown. We’re celebrating the Great Pumpkin ourselves this Saturday, October 16 from 12 - 6 pm at the Scott’s Addition Pumpkin Festival, a fun and family-friendly fall event featuring live music by local bands, fall treats from Richmond makers, and the most awesome autumn ales from RVA breweries — as well as the most anticipated event, the costume contests for kids, adults, and pets. And best of all, the event is totally free to attend! More info here.
Pro tip: Stop by Buskey Cider for a Pumpkin Pie hard cider during your Pumpkin Festival experience and thank us later.
Speaking of dogs in costumes… Dogtoberfest is happening this Saturday, October 16 at Brambly Park from 11 am - 3 pm featuring a Pet Pageant, a caricature artist, an art auction, fun prizes, and more, all paired with the awesome wine, beer, cocktails, and/or food your heart desires from Brambly Park’s expansive menu.
In addition to being a super fun event for pet parents and families, Dogtoberfest is also a fundraiser for the Veterinary Emergency Treatment Fund (or VET fund). Be sure to tell the hostess you're there to support VET Fund, and Brambly Park will donate 10% to help provide life-saving care to pets in need! More info here, or you can donate directly here.
Meet me at the market — the Samhain Witch Market, that is. Happening this Sunday, October 17 from 3 - 9 pm at Diversity Richmond, this market will boast witchy goods from more than 45 local vendors, along with live performances and speakers in a large, welcoming, open-air space.
Mark your calendars, because Richmond Restaurant Week officially returns on Monday, October 18 and runs through Sunday, October 31! Here’s how it will work this year:
You’ll choose your restaurant - With dozens of local restaurants participating, you are sure to find something you’ll love. Each restaurants’ menu will vary depending on its current offerings. There won’t be any special meals for RRWeek, but there will still be loads of incredibly delicious fare to choose from.
You’ll select your dining option - Each restaurant will vary, but you may have the option to eat inside, al fresco, or opt for take-out or delivery. It’s up to you how you prefer to enjoy your meal!
You’ll decide how much to donate - When you place your order, don’t forget to add a donation to Feed More! Each participating restaurant will have $5 donations available on their online menu for the duration of RRWeek — and each $5 donation provides up to 20 meals for a neighbor in need.
Check out this year’s participating RRWeek restaurants here. There are 50+ to choose from, so it may take some time to decide! Then follow the steps above to participate. Bon appétit
COMING SOON
Calling all undead. The famed Richmond Zombie Walk will return for its 16th year on Saturday, October 30!
All zombies participants are asked to arrive in costume at Boat Lake in Byrd Park at 1 pm for the pre-walk meet-up (where prizes will be awarded and donations will be collected, benefiting the American Cancer Society).
The walk itself will begin across the street from The Byrd Theatre at 2:30 pm.
Prizes will be awarded for:
Most Disgusting
Best Couple
Best Group
Best Pop Culture Theme (TV/Movie/Comic/Gaming)
Best Zombie Kid
2021 Zombie of the Year (Best Overall)
Also wanted: Willing victims, aka people to be turned into the undead in public. More details here.
I’m more of a Harry Potter gal myself. (Yes, that was a Parks & Rec reference.) If you’re more interested in wizards than zombies, you’ll be stoked to hear that Wizardfest: A Harry Potter Halloween Party is coming to the Richmond Music Hall at Capital Ale House on Sunday, October 31. This magical outing will feature:
A multi-event Triwizard Tournament with a House Winner featuring quidditch pong, trivia, and a scavenger hunt
A costume contest with a cash prize for the best dressed witch or wizard in attendance
Drink specials all night (yes, including butterbeer)
A live DJ and dance party — regrettably, The Weird Sisters will not be playing and McGonagall will not be in attendance to teach anybody to waltz
Get your tickets here before they sell out — GA is $18, you can add a wand in your house colors for $30, or for $60 you can add a wand *and* a choice of shirt, Wizardfest cup, magical accessories, and VIP access including priority entry.
Weekly Giveaway
Guatemalan Double Feature at The Byrd
This special event will feature two films you can't see anyplace else, all benefiting the Richmond-based non-profit Highland Support Project!
Highland Women is a short documentary by French filmmaker Marie Prugnat. The film highlights the history and work of Highland Support Project in Guatemala, and the story of its founder, Guadalupe Ramirez. La Llorona is a full-length film and was the first Central American film to ever be nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture in a Foreign Language.
Both of these films will transport you to the mountains of Guatemala, and tell you the stories of powerful Indigenous women. Both works are eye-opening and educational about the past, yet hopeful for the future.
We’re giving away two tickets to see this double-header on November 8 at 6 pm at The Byrd Theatre — PLUS two “bronze package” add-ons offering access to the pre-event party at AlterNatives Boutique in Carytown (including drinks, snacks, and special discounts). Altogether, that’s a total giveaway prize value of $60!
To enter to win: Tell us about the last time you visited Carytown! For me, it was to attend a birthday dinner for a friend at The Broken Tulip.
Last week: Congratulations to last week’s winner, Jett J., for winning a (gift card in the amount of a) 2-pack of Fall Fizz cocktails from Cirrus Vodka!
Member Perks
Purify Infrared Sauna
It’s been a rough year (to say the least!), and life’s hectic pace can cause fatigue, stress, and pain in your body — but thankfully, Purify Infrared Sauna is here to offer some much-needed relief.
Unlike traditional saunas, infrared heat warms the body at the cellular level, increasing circulation. Infrared light boosts circulation, increasing the production of endorphins in the body, (similar to a “runner’s high”) and generating more white blood cells for quicker muscle and injury recovery. Not to mention, infrared is a gentle, soothing, and therapeutic heat that promotes relaxation and improved sleep — among many other reported benefits.
Members of The Richmond Experience can use code PURIFYRVAX for 15% off all services at Purify (including memberships and packages) — book now here!
New + Trending from RVAx
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We'd like to welcome 28 new members this week: Leslie C., Melissa F., Marieka T., Alexis H., Megan E., Meagan M., Heather H., Ian G., Will L., Monique O., Olivia S., Emma C., Anna S., Shelley W., Eugene Y., Abigail A., Michele A., Justin C., Charlotte M., Nikolette R., Emilie F., Ellen F., Emily O., Alicia P., Wes B., Renee C., Erica Z., and William W., 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 177 of The Weekly Insider.
Enjoy your week!
- Alicia @ The Richmond Experience
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