Events
Maymont Garden Glow is back for its fifth year and bigger, brighter than ever
In addition to the signature experience of the Japanese Garden presented by Colesville Nursery, the Garden Glow path will wend its way through the historic Italian Garden for the first time.
Maymont’s fifth annual Garden Glow is bigger and more imaginative than ever. Now through November 6, dramatic lighting transforms the historic architecture and gardens into an unforgettable experience for the whole community. Each evening after sunset, people of all ages come together on the Carriage House Lawn, where the Glow Village will offer expanded seating and cozy fire pits, with refreshments from the Glow Bar and a selection of food trucks. The highlight of Garden Glow is the walking tour that immerses guests in a natural landscape dramatically illuminated from within.
In addition to the signature experience of the Japanese Garden presented by Colesville Nursery, the Garden Glow path will wend its way through the historic Italian Garden for the first time. And Maymont has commissioned innovative art installations by local artists: Alfonso Pérez Acostawill engage local school children in a participatory art project to paint designs on lightbulbs that express their “inner glow,” these will hang along with hundreds of the artist’s own hand-painted bulbs, lighting up the interior of the arborvitae grove. And artist Jeff Dobrow will project an animated light show on the historic water tower by the Carriage House featuring a menagerie of mesmerizing illustrations inspired by Maymont’s plants and rescued wildlife inhabitants. In the Japanese Garden, Dobrow will highlight the patterns and textures of animals and plants with a more abstract animation that will play across the natural and man-made structures in the garden.
Other interactive features this year include a Big Bright Mega Light array by artist Kevin Aukward, allowing guests to express their own creativity with over 2,000 glowing pegs. And back by popular demand will be a giant Shadow Wall, perfect for striking poses!
“Garden Glow is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a beautifully reimagined version of the natural and historic landscape at Maymont,” said Parke Richeson, Maymont Executive Director. “And we are thrilled to engage two distinguished Richmond artists in creating original installations that will both touch the heart and inspire the imagination. It’s truly going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The self-guided tour begins with a moderate hike down the WestRock Woodland Trail, a grove of trees awash in soft accent colors. The tour continues through the Japanese Garden presented by Colesville Nursery, where the experience is immersive, with colors enveloping the trees, stone bridges and lanterns, all reflected in the depths of the pond below. The path returns by way of the Cascade stairs to the Italian Garden, where the Via Florum will be illuminated for the first time. For guests who prefer not to walk the hilly terrain and stairs, mobility assistance will be available.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at a discounted rate of $15 per person; $10 for children ages 3 – 12; and free for children ages 2 and under. If not sold out in advance, tickets may also be purchased on-site during the event, for $17 per person; $12 for children ages 3 – 12. Maymont members enjoy $10 admission for adults; $7 for children ages 3 – 12. Guests who present an EBT card receive discounted tickets (on-site only) through the Museums for All program. All proceeds benefit Maymont.
Garden Glow takes place entirely outdoors, rain or shine, except in the case of severe weather. Guests are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear suited for walking rustic paths.
Event parking is available at the Historic Estate Entrance and The Robins Nature Center in addition to street parking. The Farm entrance is closed for the event. Guests attending Garden Glow will enter through the Magnolia Gates at the north (lower) end of the Historic Estate parking lot on Hampton Street.
Events
Hello Kitty Truck rolls into Short Pump Town Center this Saturday
This Saturday’s pop-up event at Short Pump Town Center is the perfect opportunity for fans to check out new exclusive collectibles and see the iconic vehicle up close.
Fans of the popular Sanrio character Hello Kitty are in for a treat as the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck rolls back into Richmond this Saturday, March 18th, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The truck will be stationed at the main entrance of the Short Pump Town Center by Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn, providing enthusiasts with an opportunity to indulge in a variety of exclusive goodies and limited-edition collectibles.
The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck, famous for delicious treats and adorable collectibles, announced that they have added new items to their menu for the Richmond event, including a Hello Kitty Cafe Cup Plush, a Hello Kitty Cafe Coin Bank, a Glass Mug with Sprinkle Handle, a Hello Kitty Cafe Lunchbox, a Hello Kitty Cafe Lavender T-Shirt, a Hello Kitty Cafe Canvas Tote, and a Hello Kitty Cafe Rainbow Thermos. Fans can also grab hand-decorated cookie sets, enamel pin sets, and Madeleine cookie sets.
Visitors to the truck can look forward to the best-selling Hello Kitty Cafe Plush Toys and Giant Hello Kitty Cafe Chef Cookies as well. The truck makes yearly stops in different cities and has been a big hit with fans since it was introduced in 2014.
This Saturday’s pop-up event at Short Pump Town Center is the perfect opportunity for fans to check out the new exclusive collectibles and see the iconic vehicle up close.
Events
2nd annual Farm Graze event will celebrate agriculture on March 25th at Deep Run Park
Coordinated with National Agriculture Day (March 21), Farm Graze will feature live animals, including chicks, goats, rabbits and bees; resources for families; a pet costume contest; crafts; and other activities.
Henrico 4-H Youth Development will hold a free community celebration of agriculture with the second annual Farm Graze event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at Deep Run Park, 9900 Ridgefield Parkway.
Coordinated with National Agriculture Day (March 21), Farm Graze will feature live animals, including chicks, goats, rabbits and bees; resources for families; a pet costume contest; crafts; and other activities. Youth will be able to complete a passport book by visiting the various exhibitors, with prizes awarded for the first 100 turned in.
Farm Graze also will collect donated items for the Henrico Animal Shelter, including used towels and blankets; Kongs and treats for dogs; toys for cats; and dry kibble and formula for kittens. All activities will take place in the recreation center or on the event field.
Henrico 4-H will showcase its programs and opportunities. Other exhibitors will include Henrico Extension, Master Gardeners, Henrico County Public Library, Henrico Recreation and Parks, Henricopolis Soil & Water Conservation District, Keep Virginia Beautiful, Keep Henrico Beautiful, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, Virginia State University Small Ruminant Farm, Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom, West End Farmers Market and RVA City Bees.
For more information, call (804) 501-5160 or go to henrico.us/extension.
Crime
Teen Summit RVA will bring together area students to share common concerns and solutions
The daylong event will be held on March 18th at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
Six hundred high school students from the Richmond area will gather at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, March 18, 2023, for Teen Summit RVA – the first in a series of annual meetings designed to engage and connect regional teens.
Teen Summit RVA 2023 will link high school students as they speak out against violence and seek solutions to daily challenges they face. Henrico County, the City of Richmond and Chesterfield County began collaborating on Teen Summit RVA in fall 2022.
The event will include panel discussions and interactions related to issues and concerns that students face daily – gun violence, drug use, mental health and equity in their school division and community. This diverse group of 14-to-18-year-olds also will be able to attend the [email protected] Regional Summer Opportunity Fair, which is presented by Virginia Career Works. Students will explore exhibits and learn about job, internship and volunteer opportunities as well as career and educational resources available to them.
Students have been selected by their schools to participate in Teen Summit RVA. While attendance is by invitation only, limited slots remain open. Any student from the participating school systems who would like to attend should contact their school’s guidance counselor.
“When students come together, their passion, creativity and hope for the future are greater than any challenge,” said Dr. Amy Cashwell, Superintendent of Henrico County Public Schools. “Teen Summit RVA is a tremendous step in bringing together students from across the region to make connections and spark solutions that cut across county and city borders. This is the start of something important for central Virginia.”
“Teen Summit RVA is a great opportunity for students to build their leadership skills and advocate for issues that impact their peers and our community. By listening to and building up our youth, we know we will see them lead us forward,” said Jason Kamras, Superintendent of Richmond Public Schools.
Students also will be able to express themselves by contributing to an art installation and recording their spontaneous responses to thought-provoking statements in an audio booth.
Other Teen Summit RVA experiences will cover Mental Health Matters, Changing the World and Keeping Schools Safe: An Open Discussion About School Safety.
Teen Summit RVA will be hosted by nationally known, Richmond-based comedian Micah “Bam Bamm” White and is sponsored by the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond.
“This innovative summit for central Virginia teens offers opportunities for them to connect with each other, hear from experts and speak up about issues important to them,” said Dr. Mervin B. Daugherty, Superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools.
“We are so very excited for the youth of the region that this event is being held,” said Dr. Joe Casey, Chesterfield County Administrator. “So often with young people, groups and organizations talk around them and not to them. This entire event is centered on the idea of listening to students and hearing what matters most to them. It’s imperative that we understand the needs of all residents, including young people. We can’t wait to see what comes out of this event and those like it in the future.”
Media outlets are welcome to provide news coverage of Teen Summit RVA. For more information, contact Ron Carrington at (804) 690-3972 or [email protected]. Student participants will be available for interviews upon request.
More information can be found at teensummitrva.com.
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