What’s Booming RVA: Juneteenth and Memories to Make
Boomer’s top 5 picks for the week ahead
Celebrations honor the emancipation announcement on June 19, 1865, plus an abundance of memory-making activities for dads and the rest of us: “Wait Wait” humor, special state park events, Maymont kick-off concert, and Riders in the Sky. In “What’s Booming RVA: What’s Booming RVA: Juneteenth and Memories to Make.”
Wait Wait Stand-Up Tour
June 16, 8 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond
A night of comedy featuring three of the hilarious panelists from “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me”: Alonzo Bodden, Mo Rocca, and Emmy Blotnick. Bringing insight as well as laughs into the evening’s unfiltered, non-FCC-regulated stand-up comedy
Maymont Summer Kickoff Concert Under the Stars
June 16 to 17 at Maymont, Richmond
Showcasing Richmond’s eclectic local musical talents, with bluegrass/rockers South Hill Banks with The Wilson Springs Hotel on Friday night, and yacht-rock icons Three Sheets to the Wind with Allman Brothers’ tribute band Skydog on Saturday. Food trucks and craft beverages for pairing with the music.
Virginia State Parks History & Culture Day
Special events throughout the state honor the system’s 87th anniversary, including self-guided and ranger-led tours, cultural demonstrations, kayaking tours, guided hikes, mock archeological digs, and more. June 17, at select Virginia State Parks. Events within an easy drive of Richmond include:
- Batteaux & Banjos, including a 19th century music concert, at James River State Park
- Juneteenth celebration and self-guided activities at Twin Lakes State Park, which was racially segregated in two parks until the early 1960s. The Juneteenth events include gospel music and African drumming, food, games, and speakers. June 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Guided strolls and hikes exploring history and culture at Pocahontas State Park
- Gold Fever at Lake Anna State Park
- “Here We Stand” and “Bear Necessities” at Bear Creek Lake State Park
- Untold Stories of the Cemetery at Powhatan State Park
- Battlefield museum, gallery, and trails tours at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park
Juneteenth Celebration
June 17, 4 to 10 p.m., at Dorey Park, Henrico
A wide and diverse array of live performances, 80 vendors, historical and educational exhibits, kids’ zone, a dozen food trucks, and fireworks, honoring the emancipation announcement on June 19, 1865. Fun and FREE.
Henrico.us/calendar/juneteenth2023
SIGN UP FOR THE BOOMER NEWSLETTER (AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE) FOR MORE JUNETEENTH EVENTS, INCLUDING
- The Festival of the Arts Juneteenth Edition at Dogwood Dell
- Recognition and Honor at Richmond Hill
- Unlocking RVA’s Tribute at Hardywood
- Dads and Juneteenth at The Diamond Flea Market
- Celebration from The Love Movement and Black History Museum at Brambly Park
- Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in North Chesterfield
- Celebration and Local History at Twin Lakes State Park
- Special Programming at Colonial Williamsburg
Riders in the Sky
June 18, 7 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond
The Grammy Award-winning comedy cowboys offer their unique style of entertainment, which they’ve presented to audiences since 1977. The band offers heritage and original Western music blended with entertainment: award-winning harmonies, wacky Western wit, and high-yodeling adventures.
Check websites for more details, including prices and registration requirements.
More of What’s Booming in Richmond besides Juneteenth and Memories
Food and more fun to fill your plate
Boomer’s featured flavor of the week:
In honor of Juneteenth we revisit an updated look at Southern soul restaurants in RVA, by Kelli Lemon
