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Richmond is fighting over rainbow cookies

Spoiler: The biggest skeptics aren't transplants.

Culture

The results are in on the great <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rainbow cookie debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/19/richmond-rainbow-cookie-debate-poll" data-vars-content-id="3c70dee4-f109-4424-a565-ecb94ee16888" data-vars-headline="Richmond is fighting over rainbow cookies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/19/richmond-rainbow-cookie-debate-poll" target="_self">rainbow cookie debate</a> of 2026, and it turns out the biggest skeptics aren&#x27;t transplants — they&#x27;re Richmonders who grew up here.Why it matters: Over 900 Axios Richmond reader responses show the split among longtime locals comes down to one thing: whether they experienced Ukrop&#x27;s as a kid.

Westwood and Powhatan's birthplace land on endangered places list

Preservation Virginia says development could endanger two sites with deep cultural significance.

News

Two Richmond-area spots have landed on this year&#x27;s list of Virginia&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most endangered" data-vars-click-url="https://preservationvirginia.org/our-work/preservation/most-endangered-historic-places/" data-vars-content-id="fad59c1e-3810-4fb3-88ab-d1c90f8d9641" data-vars-headline="Westwood and Powhatan&#x27;s birthplace land on endangered places list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://preservationvirginia.org/our-work/preservation/most-endangered-historic-places/" target="_blank">most endangered</a>&quot; sites.Why it matters: Preservation Virginia, the group behind the list, hopes to save the historically significant spaces at risk of being demolished or erased.

Richmond drivers squeezed by rising car ownership costs

Monthly payments, insurance and repairs are all climbing faster than wages in Virginia.

Even if you put aside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/06/virginia-gas-tax-holiday-richmond-pump-prices-aaa" data-vars-content-id="5a64973c-8d76-4fdc-9acd-73a671aac31c" data-vars-headline="Richmond drivers squeezed by rising car ownership costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/06/virginia-gas-tax-holiday-richmond-pump-prices-aaa" target="_self">gas prices</a> for the moment, car ownership has gotten a lot more expensive in recent years.Why it matters: Despite Richmond&#x27;s free bus service, ample bike lanes and ever-improving pedestrian infrastructure, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most locals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/31/richmond-biking-walking-transportation-stats" data-vars-content-id="5a64973c-8d76-4fdc-9acd-73a671aac31c" data-vars-headline="Richmond drivers squeezed by rising car ownership costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/31/richmond-biking-walking-transportation-stats" target="_self">most locals</a> still rely on cars, making rising ownership costs hard to avoid.

17 things to do in Richmond this Memorial Day weekend

Events include a bike ride with the mayor, an Indian food festival and Sting performing at Allianz.

Things to Do

We&#x27;ve made it to Memorial Day weekend! Here&#x27;s what to do if you&#x27;re still in town.

Richmond-area free pools and splash pads open

Free water spots across Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield are now open as temperatures rise.

Richmond-area free public pools and splash pads are officially opening for the summer. Why it matters: Sure, it might rain all Memorial Day weekend, but we&#x27;ve got three whole months of summer heat ahead of us, so count this as your promise of relief later.

Lewis Ginter debuts $31M expansion in Richmond

Richmond visitors can now explore new gardens, lake trails and tropical butterflies all year.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/06/lewis-ginter-union-pay-negotiations-thrive-expansion-opening" data-vars-content-id="fefbf16e-433b-4900-b1f8-ed94ff2130b6" data-vars-headline="Lewis Ginter debuts $31M expansion in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/06/lewis-ginter-union-pay-negotiations-thrive-expansion-opening" target="_self">Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden&#x27;s</a> expanded conservatory and new gardens open this weekend. Why it matters: The expansion comes with more gardens, meadows and views to enjoy — plus butterflies year-round.

What's changing at Riverrock in Richmond this year

K9 Superwall, Fit-X and free concerts at Allianz Amphitheater headline Riverrock's changes.

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Riverrock" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/20/top-richmond-spring-events-festivals-concerts-races-2026-guide" data-vars-content-id="6dc66966-5bb8-4828-8b38-08fa2f01357f" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s changing at Riverrock in Richmond this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/20/top-richmond-spring-events-festivals-concerts-races-2026-guide" target="_self">Riverrock</a> weekend in RVA, and changes are afoot this year.Why it matters: With Brown&#x27;s Island still <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="under construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/03/richmond-browns-island-park-revamp-2026-amenities" data-vars-content-id="6dc66966-5bb8-4828-8b38-08fa2f01357f" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s changing at Riverrock in Richmond this year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/03/richmond-browns-island-park-revamp-2026-amenities" target="_self">under construction</a>, the outdoor sports festival has a new footprint for 2026, plus a few other additions on tap.

Richmond's weekend lineup goes beyond Riverrock

From dog jumping to bear breakfasts, Richmond has a packed lineup of local fun.

It might be Riverrock weekend, but there&#x27;s still plenty else going on in town. <ul><li>Here&#x27;s what you can get into. </li></ul>

Richmond opens new Belle Isle play area for young kids

It's the first complete piece of a larger vision to reshape Belle Isle.

Richmond just opened a play area on Belle Isle underneath the Belvidere Bridge.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a haven for kids and the first complete piece of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broader vision" data-vars-click-url="https://jamesriverpark.org/projects/" data-vars-content-id="b84c010e-bc4f-4d2d-803c-264b838332dc" data-vars-headline="Richmond opens new Belle Isle play area for young kids" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://jamesriverpark.org/projects/" target="_blank">broader vision</a> to reshape the island.

Make Memorial Day plans with rides, slides and savings

Build the perfect Memorial Day weekend at Kings Dominion with two parks in one.

Partners

Spring is giving way to summer — and around Richmond, Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff to hotter weather, longer days and cooling off the fun way.What you need to know: Kings Dominion is leaning into the season with Memorial Day weekend operations running May 22-25 and Soak City water park officially opening on May 23.<ul><li>Plus, the park&#x27;s Memorial Day Sale is live, offering up to 50% off tickets, passes and more through May 25.</li></ul>

Richmond exhibit revisits Best Products' radical design

The exhibit shows how Frances and Sydney Lewis helped reshape national retail architecture.

A new exhibition at The Branch Museum of Design explores how the &quot;radical design&quot; of Richmond-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best Products" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/30/henrico-best-products-demolition-eagle-statues" data-vars-content-id="a4d8c906-7249-4786-aba3-fcd420f52bcb" data-vars-headline="Richmond exhibit revisits Best Products&#x27; radical design" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/30/henrico-best-products-demolition-eagle-statues" target="_self">Best Products</a> helped reshape the national retail landscape.Why it matters: Generations of Richmonders grew up with these stores — and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best&#x27;s catalogue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/nostalgia/comments/10hfya1/the_best_store_catalog/" data-vars-content-id="a4d8c906-7249-4786-aba3-fcd420f52bcb" data-vars-headline="Richmond exhibit revisits Best Products&#x27; radical design" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/nostalgia/comments/10hfya1/the_best_store_catalog/" target="_blank">Best&#x27;s catalogue</a>.

A live two-toed sloth is coming to Richmond's Science Museum

It's part of a touring exhibition running from May 23 to Sept. 7 called "Survival of the Slowest."

A two-toed sloth is coming to the Science Museum of Virginia.Why it matters: You won&#x27;t get to hold it, but you can get up close and personal with the famously slow creature starting next Saturday.

Richmond's weekend has balloons, brews and garden tours

Plus: Spring festivals and free garden admission top Richmond's packed weekend slate.

Here&#x27;s what you can get into this Mother&#x27;s Day weekend in RVA.

Things to Do 🗓

Richmond-area free pools and splash pads open

Lewis Ginter debuts $31M expansion in Richmond

17 things to do in Richmond this Memorial Day weekend

What's changing at Riverrock in Richmond this year

Richmond's weekend lineup goes beyond Riverrock