RICHMOND, VA – For the safety of our patrons, volunteers, artists and staff due to the unpredictable and ongoing threat posed by the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with our government officials’ phased approach to group gatherings, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2020 2nd Street Festival and Richmond Folk Festival.
Developments related to state, national, and international events in 2020 have made it clear that as the organizer of these two free, large-scale community festivals, the necessary health precautions simply cannot be taken without radically changing the nature and scope of the events.
We have not reached this decision easily. We know that especially in these times of community isolation it’s important to come together and celebrate our shared culture and experiences, whether they are the rich traditions of the historic Jackson Ward community, or cultures from around the nation and the world presented on our downtown riverfront. Certainly, the joy we receive from producing these two festivals every October is immeasurable. However, we do not believe it is responsible or in the best interest of our community to bring together tens, and even hundreds of thousands of individuals in very close proximity, with no ability to control attendee numbers, distancing, or to sufficiently enforce precautions.
However, we don’t plan to let these two weekends go unnoticed and are working now with our sponsors and partners to determine the most meaningful and safe way we can bring the community together, even if only virtually. We hope you’ll stay tuned for more announcements regarding virtual celebrations for both festivals that showcase favorite past performances, new live performances, online children’s activities, a virtual marketplace, demonstrations, giveaways, and much more.
Remember to “Save the Date” for:
2nd Street Festival: October 2-3, 2021
Richmond Folk Festival: October 8-10, 2021
Until then, stay tuned to our social media pages and websites!
The 2nd Street Festival celebrates the rich culture of the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood in downtown Richmond and in 2019 celebrated 31 years. Nearly 40,000 people visit Jackson Ward each year to reminisce about the days when 2nd Street was the heart and soul of Richmond’s African-American community. The 2nd Street Festival is an annual celebration and homecoming over two days featuring four stages of live musical entertainment.
The 2019 Richmond Folk Festival marked the 15th anniversary of Richmond’s hosting the festival on the downtown riverfront, and the 12th year of the locally-produced event. Modeled after the hugely popular National Folk Festival held in Richmond for three years, 2005-2007, the Richmond event continues the same commitment to excellence in programming on seven stages over three days, showcasing the very finest in traditional arts. Last year, the free event had a record-breaking crowd of 220,000 people on downtown Richmond’s historic riverfront. It is the largest folk festival of its kind in the United States.
Venture Richmond, Inc., is a non-profit organization formed to engage business and community leaders in partnering with the City to enhance the vitality of the community, particularly Downtown, through economic development, marketing, promotion, advocacy and events. Venture Richmond provides enhanced property management services for both the Downtown and Riverfront including; the Clean & Safe program, beautification and landscaping projects and management and maintenance of Brown's Island, the Canal Walk and Belle Isle parking lot.
Venture Richmond Events, LLC, produces Friday Cheers, the 2nd Street Festival, the Richmond Folk Festival, and partners with Sports Backers to produce Dominion Energy Riverrock.
Riverfront Canal Cruises, LLC, operates historically narrated boat tours and private charters of the James River and Kanawha Canal.
Both Venture Richmond Events, LLC, and Riverfront Canal Cruises, LLC, are subsidiaries of Venture Richmond, Inc. For more information visit www.venturerichmond.com.