Weekend Event Picks: Fireworks and fidos, beer brunches, First Fridays, and more

First Fridays Art Walk features a bevy of unique exhibitions

The monthly First Fridays Art Walk takes place this evening in the Arts District along Broad Street. A few things to check out this month include the ongoing Depot Gallery series “Text Me,” which demonstrates how 18 young artists shape identities and self-image through language-based artwork. “Paying Attention,” opening Friday at Sediment Arts, is an exhibition presenting the various research strategies and preliminary processes artists utilize in order to give form to their experiences, interests, and current events. Invited artists were asked to share some aspect of their ideations that are integral to how they foster introspection and divergent thinking in their art making. Also check out “The Flag Series” by Sukenya Best at Elegba Folklore Society. Starting with international flags, Best manipulated the images through a series of print techniques.

When: Friday, September 2nd; 5:00 – 9:00 PM | Where: Various venues in Richmond’s Arts District | Cost: FREE | Event website

Flying Squirrels close out the season with fireworks, fidos at The Diamond

This weekend is your last chance of the year to catch a Richmond Flying Squirrels game before the 2016 season comes to a close. The Squirrels play Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, and have a mid-day game on Labor Day. Enjoy fireworks after the ballgame on Saturday and Sunday, and bring your dogs to the park for Bark In The Park on Monday.

When: Friday, September 2nd – Monday, September 5th; times vary | Where: The Diamond, 3001 N. Boulevard in Scott’s Addition | Cost: $7 – $14 | Full schedule

Screenings of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” to honor Gene Wilder

The Byrd Theatre, as part of their ongoing Family Classics series, will honor the late Gene Wilder with two screenings of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Saturday and Sunday. The classic film, based on Roald Dahl’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” was released in 1971. This summer marks the 45th anniversary of the film. As surprising as this may seem to modern audiences, the film was not an immediate hit but grew in popularity as the years passed. Despite its slow rise to stardom, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” remains one of the most magnificent and popular family films to date.

When: Saturday, September 3rd at 10:00 AM; Sunday, September 4th at 4:30 PM | Where: The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary Street in Carytown | Cost: $2.00 | Learn more

Beer, Brunch, and Bloodys at Ardent Craft Ales

Stock Provisions and Ardent Craft Ales are teaming up for a Beer Brunch this Labor Day Weekend. The Stock Provisions team will be cooking up ham biscuits made with their housemade Tasso Ham as well as a variety of Breakfast Burritos packed with their own signature sausages and bacon. Texas Beach will also be on site concocting Bloody Marys.

When: Sunday, September 4th; noon – 4:00 PM | Where: Ardent Craft Ales, 3200 W. Leigh Street in Scott’s Addition | Cost: Free to enter, pay for food and drinks as you go | Event page

Even more Beer, Brunch, and Bloodys at Buskey Cider

One Scott’s Addition beer brunch wasn’t enough for you, was it? Good, because Buskey Cider is getting in on the action on Sunday, too. Texas Beach will be on hand here as well, serving up “Buskey Marys” with a touch of fruit and spice, along with WPA Bakery, who will serve up sweet and savory paquets.

When: Sunday, September 4th, noon – 3:00 PM | Where: Buskey Cider, 2910 W. Leigh Street in Scott’s Addition | Cost: Free to enter, pay for food and drinks as you go | Event page

Free admission to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Monday

Looking for something fun to do with the whole family on Labor Day? Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will be open to all–for free, courtesy of Genworth. There’s always a ton going on at the garden. There’s Butterflies LIVE! (through October 9th) and the award-winning exhibit Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks (through September 18th). Kids tend to love the Water Play area in the Children’s Garden and are likely to play whether they are in the appropriate clothing or not, so be prepared.

When: Monday, September 5th; 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Where: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue in Northside | Cost: FREE | Garden website