Whether you’re vegetarian or a meat-eater you’re bound to love a lot about the upcoming vegetarian festival at the Azalea Gardens at Bryan Park.

There will be plenty of entertainment for the whole family, live music from various artists including The Yes Team and Thomas Coleman. Kids can run and play at the Kids’ Patch with crafts, Jonathan Austin, a Moon Bounce, and a scavenger hunt.

And incase you’re afraid vegetarian food is gross, about two dozen area restaurants are ready to prove you rong with some of the best veggie cuisine around – from Indian (INDIA K’ RAJA), to Thai (Thai Top Ten), to vegetarian sushi (Sticky ToGoGo) to pizza (Fired Up Pizza) and frozen desserts from DeLuca Gelato and Soul-Ice Vending.

If you’ve got a thirst for learning more about being vegetarian you can listen to a dynamic set of speakers at the speakers tent. Mike Goldberg, of WTVR-CBS 6 and WCVE Public Radio, will be the master of ceremonies. Guest speakers will include Danielle Bussone from Veggin’ Out & About, vegan body builders, Derek & Marcella, from Vegan Muscle and Fitness, Kristin Lajeunesse from Will Travel for Vegan Food, and Jane Wilson, a Registered Dietitian.

Don’t forget: bring a can of vegetables to the Festival for the LAMB’s Basket! The LAMB’s Basket is an emergency food pantry located in Lakeside serving the hungry of Henrico County.

Vegetarian Festival
Saturday, June 20, 2015 – Noon to 6:00 pm
Azalea Gardens at Bryan Park
FREE

It’s heating up outside and school is out for summer. Make the most of the weekends with these fun, family friendly festivals in and around Richmond, VA.

June 6- 7, 2015

Ashland Strawberry Faire
June 6, 2015
10 am to 5 pm
The Faire is in Ashland, VA at Randolph-Macon College
FREE
The Faire is a free, community and family-oriented event during which non-profit groups and churches raise funds and offer something for everyone. There are vendors selling arts, crafts, plants, and antiques to the thousands who attend. There are up to 300 vendors, delicious food, a kids zone, strawberry pageant and more.

Colonial Hands-On History Festival
June 6, 2015
10:00am to 5:00pm
Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown
16120 Chiswell Lane, Beaverdam, VA 23015
Included in the cost of admission
Family-friendly events including hearth cooking, sheep shearing, wool spinning, candle dipping and more. See the historic kitchen in action with open hearth cooking demonstrations. Join in on the fun colonial crafts and activities.

Family Fishing Fair
Saturday, June 6, 2015
9 a.m. – 12:00
Noon Shields Lake at Byrd
2201 Shields Lake Drive, Richmond, VA 23220
FREE
Bring some water, a folding chair and a fishing pole and get “Hooked on Fishing”
Local fishing experts will be available to teach basic freshwater catch-and-release fishing. Show you how tie a hook, cast a line and scale a fish.
Fun Games and Prizes include Kids casting and backyard bass contests. Win a rod and reel or a fully stocked tackle box.  Register Online Activity Code #416046-23, Call 646-5733 for more details. (Some loaner poles and tackle will be available, but the limit is two per family.)

Broad Appetite
June 7, 2015
11 – 6pm
Broad Street Between Henry and Adams
FREE to attend, food is $3 per plate
Broad Appétit features the best local Richmond restaurants at just $3 a plate! Bring your appetite and cash and plan on grazing your way down Broad Street. There will be plenty of Virginia wines and beers to wash down the delicious offerings with, as well as great vendors to visit and music to please your ears.

Renaissance Fair
Sunday June 7, 2015
4pm at Dogwood Dell
Free
The party atmosphere includes magicians, stilt walkers, and jugglers, and this is a fair for all ages.  At 8 p.m., the Henley Street Theatre will present “Romeo and Juliet” on the Dogwood Dell stage.

Saturday June 13 – 14, 2015

Bumblebee Jamboree
Saturday, June 13, 2015
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Maymont Children’s Farm
FREE
Celebrate National Pollinator Week with family-friendly activities including a live butterfly safari tent, puppet shows, crafts and games. See inside a bee hive, enjoy butterfly garden tours, view the VCU display of live insects, learn pollinator plant selections, enjoy food and beverage samples and much more! Sponsored by Chesterfield County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension.

3rd Annual Bacon Festival
June 14th, 2015
11am – 5pm
17th Street Farmers’ Market
Free admission
The festival layout has been expanded for 2015, with more event space, more food vendors, more beverage stations, just more, more and more of a great thing.  The festival is fully prepared for a mass influx of bacon-lovers.  Richmond Bacon Festival will also feature live music and shopping. The event is free to attend. Food and beverage are available for purchase.

June 20 – 21, 2015

Richmond Vegetarian Festival
June 20, 2015
Noon to 6:00 pm
Azalea Gardens at Bryan Park
FREE
Head to Bryan Park for food, speakers, music, and a fun, family-friendly, atmosphere. Over two dozen area restaurants will provide some of the best cuisine around – from gourmet (Woodlands Vegan Bistro), to Ethiopian (Nile) to vegetarian sushi (Sticky ToGoGo) to pizza (Fired Up Pizza) and frozen desserts from DeLuca Gelato and Soul-Ice Vending. Currently vaccinated, leashed dogs are welcome.

RVA Streets Alive!
June 20, 2015
10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
FREE
Inspired by open streets projects all over the world, this event is about closing streets to cars and opening them to the public — for one day — to create a whole new healthy, sustainable and vibrant city street experience. FREE and open to everyone to do what you wish – run, walk, bike, roller blade, WHATEVER! Make sure to check out the vendors lining the streets with free activities for the entire family!

Father’s Day Keg ‘n Oyster Fest
Sunday, June 21
at 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Enjoy Father’s Day with a celebration of local craft and new traditions: the Rappahannock River Oysters, LLC at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery on the afternoon of Sunday June 21st. Pair your favorite Hardywood drafts with Rappahannock oysters: presented raw and fried, Rappahannock’s house crab cake recipe and more treats from King Of Pops – Richmond,Pizza Tonight and Goatocado.

June 27, 2015

5th Annual Arts & Culture Xpo
June 27, 2015
10 – 4 pm
Science Museum of Virginia
FREE admission
Hands-on learning activities including art demos, cultural interactions.  A variety of stage performances throughout the day highlighting local arts and culture organizations including musical, visual art, theatrical, historical and dance. Food trucks – Boka Truck, Curbside Creations, The Dog Wagon, Gelati Celesti, Mosaic & Opa – and craft beer provided by Ardent Craft Ales and Isley Brewing Company.

Don’t miss out on great events!

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In addition to some yummy vegetarian fare, the Richmond SPCA, Ring Dog Rescue, and the Richmond Animal League, that will be showcasing adoptable animals, so pet the pups (and perhaps you’ll find a new best friend).

There will be local bands and juggler & magician Jonathan Austin will be providing entertainment throughout the day. The Kids’ Patch will have arts and crafts, and two moon bounces and a popular “Food Fight!” competition (based on the Iron Chef).

The Richmond Vegetarian Festival will be taking donations to two local charities:
Safe Harbor -donate local gas/grocery cards to help families escaping domestic violence.
LAMB’s Basket- bring canned vegetables to donate to an emergency food pantry.

In addition to trying something new (especially if you’re primarily a meat eater) there will be educational speakers, such as Jane Wilson, RN,RD,CDE, hosting “Ask a Dietitian”; and Victoria Moran on “Main Street Vegan: Living Well & Loving Life in the Real World”. We have the privilege of hosting Gene Baur, president of Farm Sanctuary, who has been called “the conscience of the food movement” who will talk on “Facing Our Food” and host a booth introducing his new book. We will also have a cooking demo by Washington Post Food editor, Joe Yonan.

The Vegetarian Festival will be held in the Azalea Gardens in Bryan Park.
Saturday, June 21, 2014 – Noon to 6:00 pm
FREE

4308 Hermitage Road
Richmond, VA 23227