This Summer's Festival Line-Up!!

Any good Richmonder knows that the best part of living in this city has to be the amazing variety of festivals we have, especially in the summer.  Richmond's festivals are a great chance to explore new cuisines, learn about different cultures, buy some cool handicrafts, and enjoy some great music and dance performances.  Although it's been a while since I've lived full-time in Richmond, I always get super excited about filling up my calendar with festival dates!

I've checked out a couple, but I definitely have a lot more to see.  Somehow I always end up missing the Filipino Festival, but this year, I am going to make absolutely sure that I make it there.  Who can say know to lechon and halo halo?  Not me!  Lechon is one of my favorite foods, so I just have to try it Filipino-style.

So here's the rest of this year's amazing line-up!

Church Hill Irish Festival - tomorrow (Mar 25th) and Sunday, rain or shine! http://www.churchhillirishfestival.com/

French Food Festival - Apr 30
http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org/

Lebanese Food Festival - May 13-15
http://stanthonymaronitechurch.org/festival/index.htm

Greek Food Festival - May 20-22
http://greekfoodfest.com/

Broad Appetit - June 5th
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=76385860964

St. Joseph's Italian Festival - June 11th
http://events.richmond.com/richmond-va/venues/show/3326565-saint-joseph-italian-festival

Filipino Festival - August 12th and 13th http://filipinofestival.org/  Last year, they even had a drive-thru!

Festival of India - no date set this year; normally in Sept
http://thefestivalofindia.org/home.asp

Que Pasa Festival - Oct 1
http://www.vahcc.com/?page=quepasa

Imagine Festival - Oct 8
http://www.richmondgov.com/

St. Benedict Oktoberfest - Oct 16-18
http://www.stbenedictoktoberfest.com/

Richmond Oktoberfest - October 21-22
http://www.richmondoktoberfestinc.com/


Festivals Nearby
DC National BBQ Battle - June 25-26
DC Caribbean Carnival - June 25-26 (admission $10)

Richmond Summer Food Festivals!!

Summer festivals that have already passed:

Asian-American Festival April 27

A Taste of India (tasteofindiahr.org)

25th Annual Lebanese Food Festival
Location: St. Anthony Maronite Church
4611 Sadler Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
When: May 15-17 10a-10p
More info: http://www.stanthonymaronitechurch.org/
What?: Lots of great home-made Lebanese food (shwarma's, stuffed grape leaves, meat pies, and more!), Lebanese treats, cook books, products from Lebanon for sale, cultural performances
Cost: free entry, parking, and performances, buy food from vendors

33rd Annual Greek Festival
What: cultural performances, Greek jewelry, rugs, and knick-knacks for sale,
cathedral tours, and huge menu of Greek food (more than just souvlaki,
spanakopita, and dolmades)with drive-thru from 11a to dusk daily.

When: May 28-31
Thursday May 28: 11:00am - 9:30pm
Friday May 29: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Saturday May 30: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Sunday May 31: 12:00pm - 7:00p
Where:30 Malvern Ave
Cost: free and purchase food
Payment methods accepted: cash, checks, master, and visa
More info: http://www.greekfestival.com/33/

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
What: and I quote: It's a full day, as they say, of "beer sippin', bourbon tastin', music listenin', cigar smokin' and barbeque eatin.'"
When: Saturday May 31 noon to 6p
cost: starting at $25, 12 and under free
Where: Richmond Raceway Complex
More info: 800-830-3976

Stone Soul Music and Food Festival
Location: Brown's Island
Performers: Gospel and R&B artists such as God's Image, SOS Band, James Fortune, Case, Trey Songz, Eric Benet, Twista, Joe, and many more!
Food: Soul Food!!
Food Vendors: None other than Hawk's BBQ and Croaker's Spot, my friends, among others
Cost: $20 in advance ***Corrections on ticket locations***(buy at DTLR, BK music, or Praise 104.7 radio station
More info: http://rope.wpzz-fm.fimc.net/StoneSoul/HOME.html

Broad Appetit Festival
When: June 7
What: sample food from 25 of Richmond's hottest chefs! Great food, culinary artists, and traditional art
Where: Broad St between Monroe and Adams streets
Cost: free admission, purchase food
Vendors: Savor, Strawberry St Cafe, 1 North Belmont, and more!
More info: broadappetit.com

Saint Joseph Italian Festival
Saturday and Sunday June 13th and 14th
Location: 828 Buford Road, 23235
When: 11a - 8p
What: food, history, music, and cultural performances
Cost: free entry, purchase food
More info: http://www.wegoplaces.com/Event_155388.aspx

Richmond Vegetarian Festival
what: food, music, local businesses, and fun for whole family
When: Saturday June 21 noon to 6p
Rain date July 11
Where: Azalea gardens at Bryan Park
Cost: free entry, buy food
More info:veggiefest.org

4th Annual Filipino Festival
August 8, 2009 10a- 8p with drive-thru from 11a to 6p
Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Church
8200 Woodman Road, 23228
What: food and cultural performances!
Food: lechon (roast pig), lumpia (eggrolls), and more!
More info: http://filipinofestival.org/

Carytown Watermelon Festival
When: Sunday August 9th, 2009 10a - 6p
Where: Carytown in Richmond, VA
Estimated Attendance: 100,000 +
cost: free (i am pretty sure)and purchase food from vendors

Bonus suggestion:

Safeway 17th Annual BBQ Battle in DC
What: National BBQ championship
When: June 27 11a-9p, June 28 11a-7:30p
Where: Pennsylvania Ave in DC
Admission: $10, $5 kids 6-12, under 5 free
Why?: Tons of BBQ! Battle to be National Pork BBQ Champion
More Info: http://bbqdc.com/learnmore.htm

DC Caribbean Carnival
What: tons of concerts from famous performers, huge Caribbean parade, lots of food and dancing, tons of parties the whole weekend all over the DC and Maryland area
When: June 27 and 28
Where: Washington, DC
Admission: $10
More info: http://www.dccaribbeancarnival.org/default2.html