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.)

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

It’s time to Wine Down at The Wine Loft!
Call your friends, get your sitter, do whatever you need to do to make sure you’re hanging out with us Wednesday April 1, 2015.

Each month we give away great prizes, soak up a relaxed atmosphere, chow down on delicious free appetizers and have a really great time… who knew philanthropy could be this fun?!
If you haven’t joined us for Wine Down yet here’s what you can expect:
– $10 at the door goes directly to charity.
– Generous glasses of wine at a great discount.
-Delicious FREE appetizers provided by The Wine Loft (if you haven’t been there yet, you’re in for a real treat).
– Raise more money for the selected non-profit by purchasing raffle tickets and winning great prizes.
-Meet new people (like Richmondmoms Christa and Sarah) and network or grab a quiet spot for you and a friend to enjoy a kid-free night to catch up.

As much as $1,000 is raised each month in just a couple hours at each event at the Wine Loft so feel good about connecting with other parents, family-focused businesses and raising money for a great cause.

In April we raise a glass (and some funds) for the incredible work done by Safe Harbor.

Safe Harbor is the only dedicated sexual and intimate partner violence program in Henrico County. Our mission is to empower survivors of sexual and domestic violence to transform their lives, and to promote healthy relationships for all. SafeHarbor offers comprehensive services for survivors of sexual and/or intimate partner violence including: A 24-hour helpline, children/youth services, community education and training, trauma-informed counseling, court advocacy, emergency shelter and hospital accompaniment. All of our services are confidential and free of charge to anyone seeking help. We are here to create a community filled with happy, healthy relationships. Join us!

Wine Down
At The Wine Loft in Short Pump
April 1, 2015
6:30pm
All funds will be donated to Safe Harbor.

RSVP and invite your friends on Facebook!

For businesses owners who would like to donate a raffle prize, we appreciate you! Please contact us:christa@richmondmom.com.

These events may also be sponsored by businesses owners. If you’re interested in sponsoring a future Wine Down event, let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

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.

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BRINGING YOU THE BEST LIVE MUSIC IN MAY & JUNE FOR CHEAP!

Celebrating its 31st season, Venture Richmond’s premier outdoor concert series, Friday Cheers, returns to Brown’s Island on May 1, with a stellar line-up of bands you won’t want to miss, at one of RVA’s most beautiful venues. Enjoy breakout bands, national acts and Richmond’s hometown talent. Children 12 and under are free.

There are three entry points to Brown’s Island, and payment will be taken at each. Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Debit and credit cards are only taken at two entry points: the pedestrian bridge at 5th and 7th streets. No pets are allowed.