Don’t be scared of a few April showers. There are lots of ways to spend some sunny days outside this month!

Dominion Family Easter at Maymont
Saturday, April 4, 2015
10am-3pm
Maymont Carriage House Lawn

Enjoy one of Richmond’s favorite Easter traditions with egg hunts, crafts, games, live entertainment including Power UP!, School of Rock, Jonathan Austin and  Virginia Repertory Theatre.  Kids can enjoy a ziplines, a rock climbing wall, carriage rides, egg hunt and puppet shows and more. FREE to attend although many activities will require tickets.

Legend Brewing Company’s 21st Anniversary Party
Saturday, April 11th
2pm – 9pm
Pub and Brewery -321 W 7th St, Richmond, Virginia 23224
This event is open to the public and is family friendly. Legend will have live music playing all day, a food buffet, activities for children, and of course, a varied selection of Legend beers.Admission for 21 and up is $20 which includes a commemorative anniversary cup, two beer tickets, and live music and entertainment. Ages 12-20 and designated drivers pay $8 and kids under 12 are FREE. Additional beer tickets and a food tickets are available for purchase.

22nd Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 18
at 11:00am – 5:00pm

Great Shiplock Park on Shockoe Bottom’s riverfront on Saturday, April 18 for live music, local fare, children’s activities, and the chance to meet hundreds of earth-friendly artists, farmers, and organizations.

RVA Earth Day
Saturday, April 18
12:00pm – 7:00pm

Style Weekly is proud to bring you the city’s favorite celebration of earth day, were local artists, bands, chefs, food trucks, breweries, environmentalists and vendors gather to celebrate mother earth. Learn about locally available sustainable products and services. Arts, crafts and kids activities.

Gold Festival on Broad 
Sunday, April 19, 2015
1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Gold’s Gym Plaza at West Tower between Homeview Drive & West End Drive

The Gold Festival on Broad is a day filled with family fun!  The event will take place inside the Gold’s Gym parking lot between Homeview Drive and West End Drive.  In addition to providing a fun, festive event, the Gold Festival on Broad provides a turnkey fundraising opportunity for local community organizations. Exclusive areas within the festival for specially-themed activities, and vendors, such as the educational classes, fitness expo, and the community corner. FREE.

Woofstock Festival
Saturday, April 25, 2015
10:00am – 2:00pm.

Gates will open at 10:00am for the festival. There will be music all day and plenty of fun for the dogs, including games, agility courses and contests. The whole family will also be able to enjoy the kids games, vendor area, and our dog adoption area, which will include animal rescue groups from across the metro Richmond area.

 Get the mid-week update from Richmondmom by signing up for our newsletter. You’ll get an up-to-date look at kid and family friendly events, free things to do, activities and more in the Richmond, Virginia area.  You’ll also read stories, get school and playgroup information, dinner ideas, shopping, camp information, volunteering and a whole lot more. Sign up for our newsletter here and find us on Facebook.

We’ve got 3 family 4-packs to the Virginia Horse Festival!

Enjoy three days of family-friendly entertainment and activities at the Virginia Horse Festival March 27-29 at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.

Learn more about the Virginia Horse Festival here.

Enter to win below:

Three winners will be chosen at random.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tickets provided by the Virginia Horse Festival

Mommy & Me (and Daddy Too)!  is a FREE morning out with live entertainment and activities designed to enhance parent’s interaction with their children outside in the sun on the Willow Lawn Plaza.

As always, come say hello to us at the Richmondmom.com table! We’ll have treats for the kids and we always love chatting with you.

Don’t forget this event is FREE!

MOMMY & ME (And Daddy Too!)

2nd Wednesday of Each Month
10:00am–11:30am Willow Lawn Plaza

See you there!

Don’t miss out on Free events the whole family can enjoy!
Sign up for the mid-week update from Richmondmom by signing up for our newsletter. You’ll get an up-to-date look at kid and family friendly events and activities in the Richmond, Virginia area as well as great stories, school and playgroup information, dinner ideas, shopping, volunteering and a whole lot more. Sign up for our Wednesday newsletter here and find us on Facebook.

photo credit: Kevin J Kelley

Sometimes when you live in a city, you forget to be a tourist in your own home town.  This weekend there are no excuses because you’ll be able to check out some of Richmond’s vibrant history for free.

Bring your passport and travel back in time and taking a free tour of 10 historic homes, Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22, 2015.

Get complimentary admission to any of the 10 participating sites.

Haven’t toured these sites before? Here’s what you can expect to do (for free) over the weekend:
-See the beautiful gardens and tour Agecroft Hall which was built in the 1500’s (how is that possible? find out on the tour)
-Civil war buffs can visit General Robert E. Lee’s field headquarters at the Dabbs House Museum.
-Play a round of play a round of quoits at the The John Marshall House.
-Take a grand tour of the “upstairs” and “downstairs” at Maymont for a taste of the guilded age.
-Take a glimpse in to rural life at Meadow Farm Museum just before the civil war.
-Visit Richmond’s oldest residential structure and see the largest collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s personal belongings, manuscripts and letters at The Edgar Allan Poe Museum.
-Virginia House (neighbors to Agecroft Hall) has a stunning collection of English and Spanish antiques, silk draperies, Oriental carpets, and fine silver and china.
-White House of the Confederacy take a guided tour of the home to the President of the Confederate states of America, Jefferson Davis and is now the Museum of the Confederacy.
-At the 1812 John Wickham House you can explore 19th-century Federal architecture see some of the country’s finest examples of interior decorative painting.
-Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and the Marquise de Lafayette all stayed at the Wilton House which overlooks the James River.
Download and print out this Time Travelers Passport to visit any and all of these locations.   Visit them all and you’ll have saved more than $55 per person. (Some restrictions may apply.)

Go on a swashbuckling adventure at Virginia Rep this weekend!

Win a 4 pack of tickets to see Treasure Island at the Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn.
Winner will be contacted via email and can redeem their tickets for any one of the following nights:
Fri 3/13/15 7:00PM
Sat 3/14/15 10:30AM
Sat 3/14/15 2:00PM
Sun 3/15/15 2:00PM

The show is about 1 hour long and suitable for children ages 6 and up.

Learn more about the show here

Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
  Treasure Island opens Friday, March 13 at the Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond, Va. The show runs March 13 –  April 19 2015. Learn more here.    

Virginia Rep is a sponsor of Richmondmom

Treasure Island opens at Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre on Friday, March 13, 2015.

This treasured classic written by Robert Louis Stevenson has been adapted for the stage with book, music and lyrics by Paul Deiss and is Directed by John Moon.  Making his Children’s Theatre debut, Landon Nagel plays the role of Billy Bones and Silver. Nagel was most recently seen as Vernon in They’re Playing Our Song at Hanover Tavern. Alexander Sapp returns to Virginia Rep in the role of Jim Hawkins. Recent Virginia Rep roles include Patrick in the hit musical, Mame, and Dami in Tartuffe. Returning to the Children’s Theatre stage and rounding out the company are Jahred King, Paul S. Major, Evan Nasteff, Charley Raintree, and Hannah Zold.

Landon Nagel will be taking on the role of Billy Bones

Treasure Island will take viewers on an unforgettable pirate voyage into the tropical seas as they follow their favorite swashbucklers through treachery and turmoil. Parents, grandparents, and children of all ages are sure to get swept up in the hunt for gold and this young boy’s quest for adventure.

The show lasts for one hour and is best enjoyed by children ages 6+.

Treasure Island
Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn
March 13 – April 19, 2015
Box Office: 804-282-2620
Full Price Show Tickets: $18
Discounted Group Rates available.

Virginia Repertory Theatre is a sponsor of Richmondmom

Guests are welcome to tour the facility, try a fitness class or stop by for a workout. Guest fees will be waived for the day, and donations to the VCU Massey Cancer Center will accepted. All donations will go directly to this organization. There will be special Group Exercise classes scheduled throughout the day, including many Les Mills’ classes and MAC Kids’ Club will be open from 8:00am-5:00pm. The Sweet Frog mobile truck will also be onsite and donating a portion of all sales to the Massey Cancer Center as well.

MAC will donate $50 to the Massey Cancer Center for each new membership received on Saturday, March 14th. All Guests will also be entered into a drawing for a free one-month Silver Level Family Membership at MAC.

Midlothian Athletic Club is a full service health club with group exercise classes, cardio & free weight equipment, personal training, tennis, racquetball, basketball court, indoor pool, outdoor water park and Kids’ Club. MAC, located at 10800 Center View Drive, is locally owned and operated.

If you need any further information, please contact Chrissie Callis at (804) 330-2222 (ext. 304) or chrissie@macrichmond.com.

Midlothian Athletic Club Open House
Saturday, March 14, 2015
10800 Center View Drive

March means spring!
Spring means outside!
Outside means FESTIVALS!

It’s time to get outside and breathe some fresh (not frozen) air.

Fill your calendar with these awesome outdoor activities:

March 6, 2015

Squirrels First Friday Fan Fest & Ticketpalooza
5:30PM-8:00PM
The Diamond
In homage to the Squirrels 2015 Free Shirt Fridays, the first 100 fans who purchase tickets during the First Friday Fan Fest & Ticketpalooza on March 6^th will receive a free T-shirt. Happy hour drink specials will be available from 5:30PM-7:30PM just as they will be all season long during Free Shirt Friday games. Fans can also enjoy live music, concession items and a sneak peak at the new upgrades taking place at The Diamond. FREE to attend.

March 14, 2015

Shamrock the Block
11:00 am- 5pm
1301 North Boulevard, Richmond , VA 23230

Shamrock The Block is free to attend, with great food, live music all day and plenty o’ green beverages for you to enjoy safely, so bring a designated driver. Special kids area with face-painting, bounces, games and more. Come early though, as some lines can get long. FREE.

St. Paddy’s Day Palooza  ***THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY MARCH 15***
11:00am-5:00pm
Innsbrook Pavilion 4901 Lake Brook Dr.

Last year over 10,000 people attended the family-friendly St. Paddy’s Day Palooza a benefit for St. Baldrick’s Innsbrook is gearing up to help you shake off the winter doldrums and enjoy everything Irish! Families can enjoy live music, Irish dancing, bands, food, inflatable: slide, moon bounce, and obstacle course, ice cream, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and a hot air balloon.  Free to attend.

Shockoe Festival
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
17th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220

Live music, Irish dancing, beer, Irish coffee and food. More information to come.

March 15, 2015

St. Paddy’s Day Palooza 
11:00am-5:00pm
Innsbrook Pavilion 4901 Lake Brook Dr.

Last year over 10,000 people attended the family-friendly St. Paddy’s Day Palooza a benefit for St. Baldrick’s Innsbrook is gearing up to help you shake off the winter doldrums and enjoy everything Irish! Families can enjoy live music, Irish dancing, bands, food, inflatable: slide, moon bounce, and obstacle course, ice cream, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and a hot air balloon.  Free to attend.

March 21 & 22, 2015

Church Hill Irish Festival
March 21 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.
March 22 the HillTopper 5K race will begin at 8:00 am. The festival closes at 6:00 pm

In addition to great entertainment, there will be plenty of family fun, including children’s games, a large children’s play area, face painting and Irish-themed crafts. Over thirty Irish vendors will be in attendance. Food and refreshments will also be available. Enjoy wonderful “Irish Lasagna” prepared by the Ladies of St. Patrick’s, “Fish and Chips” and other favorites provided by Rare Olde Times Irish Pub, and many more.
A $5.00 donation will be collected at the gate, proceeds benefit neighborhood causes as well as St. Baldrick’s Society and the historic preservation of St. Patrick’s Church.

March 27-29, 2015

Virginia Horse Festival 
March 27: 1-9 p.m.
March 28: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
March 29: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A three day festival perfect for horse owners, riders and enthusiasts. Food vendors, storytelling, horse shows and more.  Find out more about this family friendly event here.

 Get the mid-week update from Richmondmom by signing up for our newsletter. You’ll get an up-to-date look at kid and family friendly events and activities in the Richmond, Virginia area as well as great stories, school and playgroup information, dinner ideas, shopping, camp informations, volunteering and a whole lot more. Sign up for our newsletter here and find us on Facebook.

There are two chances to take your family to the circus for FREE!

Behold the living legends! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® brings the unbelievable to Children Of All Ages in an all-new show − Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDSSM the 144th edition of the Greatest Show On Earth . Experience unimaginable family fun, as amazing performers from around the globe perform awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder to summon the mythical and the mysterious: a Unicorn, a Pegasus and a Woolly Mammoth! Join us for an unforgettable family night of legendary proportions! Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents LEGENDS! Believe in the Unbelievable.

Read more about the circus here and enter to win a family 4 pack!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Legends

Richmond Coliseum
Richmond, VA
March 11 – 15, 2015
Purchase Tickets here.
Feld Entertainment

JUST IN: Big News from Ringling Bros. Read it here. 

(Two winners will be randomly selected from the form below)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tickets provided by Feld Entertainment

 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Legends comes to the Richmond Coliseum March 11 – 15, 2015! Purchase Tickets here.

Keep your eyes peeled for a special giveaway from Richmondmom!

What animal can see in the dark six times better than a human can?

A. Tiger
B. Mole
C. Horse

Which circus animal is not a vegetarian?

A. Tiger
B. Elephant
C. Camel

What animal has its own unique stripe pattern similar to that of a human fingerprint?

A. Tiger
B. Zebra
C. Cow

What is “pachyderm” another name for?

A. Chimp
B. Elephant
C. Goat

A camel’s hump doesn’t really store water. What’s it made of?

A. Fat
B. Muscle
C. Hair

How long do Ringling Bros. Elephants live?

A. 10-20 years
B. 30-40 years
C. 60-70 years

How many sets of teeth will an elephant have in its life?

A. 6
B. 1
C. 10

Bengal tigers come from what country?

A. India
B. United States
C. Spain

So, you did well on the multiple choice questions?
Do you know this circus trivia?

Over the years, which animal has been the most popular with Ringling Bros. audiences?

Which U.S. President gave America his horse as a circus attraction?

The most famous circus animal of all time arrived in New York City on Easter Sunday of 1882. Can you name him?

Who was the greatest living animal trainer of all time?

What year was the first animal menagerie in the United States established?

What are the names of the first two baby elephants born at the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation?

What is an elephant’s favorite food?

Ready for your answers? Get them here: pop quiz answer sheet.