Fall Break in Richmond

If you’re not venturing home for fall break, there are a number of events on campus and in the city to keep you entertained this weekend.

Adrienne Piazza, manager of educational initiatives and leadership development for the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, has coordinated a series of free excursions for University of Richmond students to partake in throughout the entirety of break. Each event will have transportation and meals at various locations provided.

The first excursion will begin on Saturday, Oct. 10, and will include a visit to the South of the James Farmers' Market, followed by a hike at the James Park River System.

At the South of the James Farmers' Market, students will have the opportunity to walk around the largest farmers' market in Virginia, where local farmers set up stalls alongside food trucks and live musicians.

“For the James River Park System hike, we will be partnering with Lucia Anderson, coordinator of the Outdoor Adventure and Recreation program and Regan Gifford, who coordinates Envision the James River,” Piazza said. It will be a combination of exploring the James while learning about the river and its history throughout the hike.

On Sunday, Oct. 11, there will be an outing partnered with the Valentine program to historic Church Hill, an old district on the east end of Richmond. The trip will be composed of a walking tour to the Valentine history museum and to two local eateries. Everyone will have a chance to sample various food items from Sub Rosa bakery, and to indulge in some dessert at Proper Pie for lunch, Piazza said. 

The last excursion will also be a partnership with the Valentine program and it will be held on Monday, Oct. 12, at a few locations around Virginia’s State Capitol and Capitol Square. Students will be able to view Richmond from the highest place in the city, the City Hall Observation Deck. They will have the opportunity to tour the Virginia State Capitol building and the grounds surrounding it. There will also be stops at UR Downtown and Richmond on Broad Café for lunch.

If you haven’t signed up for any excursions yet through the CCE, the availability is filling up quickly, but the CCE can operate on a wait list, Piazza said.

The Richmond Folk Festival is a free event put on by the city that will occur Friday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 11 with over 40 folk performers throughout downtown. There will be numerous food vendors representing ethnic, traditional and regional foods beside the riverfront, and live music, dance performances as well as storytelling.

Shuttles will be provided on Friday departing from the Commons from 6-8 p.m. on the hour and returning on the half hour, and on Saturday leaving from the Commons 12-7 p.m. on the hour and returning on the half hour.

There are on-campus activities to partake in as well. Saturday, Oct. 10 is the Elon vs. Richmond football game in the Robins Stadium, and there will be a pre-game tailgate held by the CCE.

“We are excited to also invite the students to tailgate before the Spiders vs. Elon game Saturday and any student can participate,” Piazza said.

Richmond’s BARK club will also be having an event Bark in the Park in conjunction with Saturday’s football game. Students and families are encouraged to bring their dogs to the game where there will be a “pup” parade, pet contests and a pet expo featuring dog friendly vendors. BARK club will also bring dogs who are up for adoption.

“BARK and a few other local animal shelters are having an adoption outing at the football game," said Leah Gerald, co-president of BARK, "and what we will be doing is we will be in the ‘family fun tailgate zone.’ We’re just trying to get the dogs adopted."

Between the CCE excursions, the Richmond Folk Festival and the Richmond football game, there are several activities to choose from if you are staying on campus this fall break. 

Contact reporter Stephanie Hagan at stephanie.hagan@richmond.edu.