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Virginia sightings detailed in UFO hearings

The pilots reported the sighting but said there was no further investigation by the military.

News

Hot new restaurant openings in Richmond

Treat yourself to something new and freshen up your Insta feed.

Food and Drink

Year-round school experiment kicks off in Richmond

Students at Fairfield and Cardinal elementary schools returned to class Monday, 20 instructional days before their peers.

Education

The Valentine museum is hiring a city historian

It's the first official historian job for the Richmond history museum in its 125 years.

Dachshund-themed festival is coming back to Richmond this weekend

The highlight of the event is wiener dog racing

Things to Do

Dachtoberfest — a dachshund-themed, family-friendly event — is back for a second year on Saturday, 9:30am-4pm, at Richmond Raceway Complex.The event is open to all dogs and includes food trucks, vendors, a doggie costume contest, and the highlight of the day — wiener dog racing.

A local writer penned the ultimate Richmond bucket list

It highlights Richmond's stellar food and drink scene, including our craft breweries and beloved restaurants like Stella's, Edo's and L'Opossum.

Newcomers

There&#x27;s a new book out all about the must-experience Richmond happenings.Driving the news: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="100 Things to Do in Richmond Before You Die" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reedypress.com/shop/100-things-to-do-in-richmond-before-you-die/" data-vars-content-id="e402870e-6b13-44db-8e49-cd4d96dfdbdf" data-vars-headline="A local writer penned the ultimate Richmond bucket list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reedypress.com/shop/100-things-to-do-in-richmond-before-you-die/" target="_blank">100 Things to Do in Richmond Before You Die</a>&quot; from local beer columnist and editor Annie Tobey hit bookstores last month. It highlights some of the best local activities and traditions we all know and love:

Pride, Oktoberfest, the state fair and more to do in Richmond this weekend

Pridefest includes food trucks, wine, beer, cocktails and more.

It&#x27;s a jam-packed, festival-filled weekend in RVA, even with the wall-to-wall <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rain currently in the forecast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbc12.com/2023/09/18/first-alert-heavy-rain-likely-this-weekend/" data-vars-content-id="25525f0e-8ef5-4822-9793-cce772d72518" data-vars-headline="Pride, Oktoberfest, the state fair and more to do in Richmond this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbc12.com/2023/09/18/first-alert-heavy-rain-likely-this-weekend/" target="_blank">rain currently in the forecast</a>.<ul><li>But a little rain can&#x27;t and won&#x27;t stop local events — they&#x27;re all going on rain or shine.</li></ul>What&#x27;s happening: 🏳️‍🌈 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pride weekend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vapride.org/pridefest" data-vars-content-id="25525f0e-8ef5-4822-9793-cce772d72518" data-vars-headline="Pride, Oktoberfest, the state fair and more to do in Richmond this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vapride.org/pridefest" target="_blank">Pride weekend</a> is here, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saturday&#x27;s Virginia Pridefest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vapride.org/pridefest" data-vars-content-id="25525f0e-8ef5-4822-9793-cce772d72518" data-vars-headline="Pride, Oktoberfest, the state fair and more to do in Richmond this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vapride.org/pridefest" target="_blank">Saturday&#x27;s Virginia Pridefest</a>, noon-8pm on Brown&#x27;s Island.

Illustration of a thinking emoji rubbing its chin with a slice of pizza, a beer, a bike, a coffee, a book and other things to do swirling around its head. 

New train lets passengers see the scenic Shenandoah Valley

The trip is four hours long and tickets start at $99.

Beginning this fall, you can take a brisk ride through the mountains behind this iconic 1950s steam engine.What&#x27;s happening: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia Scenic Railway" data-vars-click-url="https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/" data-vars-content-id="0c241304-d45b-4295-819b-fb5998f75143" data-vars-headline="New train lets passengers see the scenic Shenandoah Valley" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.virginiascenicrailway.com/rides/" target="_blank">Virginia Scenic Railway</a> is debuting a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shenandoah Valley Limited line" data-vars-click-url="https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/buckinghambranch/items/?flow=1024419&amp;full-items=yes" data-vars-content-id="0c241304-d45b-4295-819b-fb5998f75143" data-vars-headline="New train lets passengers see the scenic Shenandoah Valley" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/buckinghambranch/items/?flow=1024419&amp;full-items=yes" target="_blank">Shenandoah Valley Limited line</a> this month.

You can now tour this 100-year-old Monument Avenue mansion

The designer house is open daily through Oct. 9.

Want to see inside a 100-plus-year-old Monument Avenue mansion? <ul><li>You have a chance as part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond Symphony League Designer House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.richmondsymphonyleague.org/content.aspx?page_id=0&amp;club_id=260819" data-vars-content-id="4b67bb65-58b8-4a1e-89b6-9aa125fa531a" data-vars-headline="You can now tour this 100-year-old Monument Avenue mansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.richmondsymphonyleague.org/content.aspx?page_id=0&amp;club_id=260819" target="_blank">Richmond Symphony League Designer House</a> tour.</li></ul>What&#x27;s happening: The home for this year&#x27;s fundraising house tour is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taylor Estate" data-vars-click-url="https://monumentavenue.org/portfolio-item/the-taylor-house/" data-vars-content-id="4b67bb65-58b8-4a1e-89b6-9aa125fa531a" data-vars-headline="You can now tour this 100-year-old Monument Avenue mansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://monumentavenue.org/portfolio-item/the-taylor-house/" target="_blank">Taylor Estate</a>, a 12,000-square-foot 1915 Italian Renaissance Revival villa at 2325 Monument Ave.

The Chesterfield mall is having a parking lot carnival this weekend

Want to pregame next weekend&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.statefairva.org/" data-vars-content-id="d2ffdb21-decd-4c44-9cee-c623bdf2d8e3" data-vars-headline="The Chesterfield mall is having a parking lot carnival this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.statefairva.org/" target="_blank">state fair</a>? Chesterfield mall is hosting a mini carnival in its parking lot through Sunday.The Chesterfield Towne Center Carnival is happening daily through the weekend, starting at 5pm Thursday and Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday. It includes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rides" data-vars-click-url="https://dreamlandamusements.com/dreamland-amusement-rides-food-carnival-games-east-coast/" data-vars-content-id="d2ffdb21-decd-4c44-9cee-c623bdf2d8e3" data-vars-headline="The Chesterfield mall is having a parking lot carnival this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dreamlandamusements.com/dreamland-amusement-rides-food-carnival-games-east-coast/" target="_blank">rides</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fair food" data-vars-click-url="https://dreamlandamusements.com/dreamland-amusement-rides-food-carnival-games-east-coast/#Food" data-vars-content-id="d2ffdb21-decd-4c44-9cee-c623bdf2d8e3" data-vars-headline="The Chesterfield mall is having a parking lot carnival this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dreamlandamusements.com/dreamland-amusement-rides-food-carnival-games-east-coast/#Food" target="_blank">fair food</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="games" data-vars-click-url="https://dreamlandamusements.com/dreamland-amusement-rides-food-carnival-games-east-coast/#Games" data-vars-content-id="d2ffdb21-decd-4c44-9cee-c623bdf2d8e3" data-vars-headline="The Chesterfield mall is having a parking lot carnival this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dreamlandamusements.com/dreamland-amusement-rides-food-carnival-games-east-coast/#Games" target="_blank">games</a> — all just outside the former Sears store.

Richmond's first outdoor skating rink is now open

Roller skating has been experiencing a revival since the pandemic, but few public spaces have opened to meet the increasing demand.

A former basketball court at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hotchkiss Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva.gov/parks-recreation/hotchkiss-field-community-center" data-vars-content-id="d53c2d25-f80a-4d8d-b274-e3ece563b2d3" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s first outdoor skating rink is now open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva.gov/parks-recreation/hotchkiss-field-community-center" target="_blank">Hotchkiss Park</a> in Northside is now home to the city&#x27;s first outdoor roller rink.What&#x27;s happening: Richmond artist <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taron Sparks" data-vars-click-url="https://m.styleweekly.com/richmond/graffiti-guru/Content?oid=19693123&amp;fbclid=PAAaZQvcHpYiyx_c7zESxse4p0sHzEbo679oBw0Ig9cATZstR0KXinGUjdllg" data-vars-content-id="d53c2d25-f80a-4d8d-b274-e3ece563b2d3" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s first outdoor skating rink is now open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://m.styleweekly.com/richmond/graffiti-guru/Content?oid=19693123&amp;fbclid=PAAaZQvcHpYiyx_c7zESxse4p0sHzEbo679oBw0Ig9cATZstR0KXinGUjdllg" target="_blank">Taron Sparks</a>, aka <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Silly Genius" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/sillygenius/" data-vars-content-id="d53c2d25-f80a-4d8d-b274-e3ece563b2d3" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s first outdoor skating rink is now open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/sillygenius/" target="_blank">Silly Genius</a>, created the space as a mural-based public art project intended to recognize &quot;the historical &amp; cultural importance of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="roller skating in Black" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-rich-history-of-black-roller-skating-rinks-and-their-civil-rights-legacy" data-vars-content-id="d53c2d25-f80a-4d8d-b274-e3ece563b2d3" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s first outdoor skating rink is now open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-rich-history-of-black-roller-skating-rinks-and-their-civil-rights-legacy" target="_blank">roller skating in Black</a> &amp; queer communities,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="he wrote in a statement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CurxsOXrW5X/?img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="d53c2d25-f80a-4d8d-b274-e3ece563b2d3" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s first outdoor skating rink is now open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CurxsOXrW5X/?img_index=1" target="_blank">he wrote in a statement</a>.

Richmond panel discussion will explore brewing in the Black community

Post-discussion, attendees can sample some special, local brews.

On Friday night, a trio of Richmond organizations will present &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brewing in the Black Community: From African Origins to Craft&#x27;s Future" data-vars-click-url="https://secure.virginiahistory.org/2437/2439" data-vars-content-id="ab7e93ff-1e79-4716-8838-3b3f9f52a265" data-vars-headline="Richmond panel discussion will explore brewing in the Black community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://secure.virginiahistory.org/2437/2439" target="_blank">Brewing in the Black Community: From African Origins to Craft&#x27;s Future</a>&quot; at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Virginia Museum of History &amp; Culture" data-vars-click-url="https://virginiahistory.org/?_gl=1*1gwoef2*_ga*MTg5MTQxODMxOC4xNjkyNzk4NTE4*_ga_KMSS2K2Q0Z*MTY5MjgxNTM0OS4zLjEuMTY5MjgxNTM1MC4wLjAuMA.." data-vars-content-id="ab7e93ff-1e79-4716-8838-3b3f9f52a265" data-vars-headline="Richmond panel discussion will explore brewing in the Black community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://virginiahistory.org/?_gl=1*1gwoef2*_ga*MTg5MTQxODMxOC4xNjkyNzk4NTE4*_ga_KMSS2K2Q0Z*MTY5MjgxNTM0OS4zLjEuMTY5MjgxNTM1MC4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank">Virginia Museum of History &amp; Culture</a>.<ul><li>The event is a panel discussion focusing on West African brewing traditions and the untold stories of enslaved Black brewers in America.</li><li>Panelists include <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Debra Freeman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/06/06/breakfast-lunch-dinner-snack-deb-freeman" data-vars-content-id="ab7e93ff-1e79-4716-8838-3b3f9f52a265" data-vars-headline="Richmond panel discussion will explore brewing in the Black community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/06/06/breakfast-lunch-dinner-snack-deb-freeman" target="_self">Debra Freeman</a> of the African American foodways podcast &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Setting the Table" data-vars-click-url="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/setting-the-table/id1612896458" data-vars-content-id="ab7e93ff-1e79-4716-8838-3b3f9f52a265" data-vars-headline="Richmond panel discussion will explore brewing in the Black community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/setting-the-table/id1612896458" target="_blank">Setting the Table</a>;&quot; Eric Jackson, co-founder of Richmond&#x27;s Black-owned brewery <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Capsoul Brewing Collective" data-vars-click-url="https://www.capsoulbrewing.com/" data-vars-content-id="ab7e93ff-1e79-4716-8838-3b3f9f52a265" data-vars-headline="Richmond panel discussion will explore brewing in the Black community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.capsoulbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Capsoul Brewing Collective</a>; and Lee Graves of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Richmond Beeristoric" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/Beeristoricrva/" data-vars-content-id="ab7e93ff-1e79-4716-8838-3b3f9f52a265" data-vars-headline="Richmond panel discussion will explore brewing in the Black community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/Beeristoricrva/" target="_blank">Richmond Beeristoric</a>.</li></ul>

Porch concerts are bringing Richmond neighborhoods together

"Neighborhoods are better when people know each other and look out for each other."

Richmond is becoming a hotbed of pop-up yard and porch concerts.What&#x27;s happening: On Sunday, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Woodland Heights" data-vars-click-url="https://woodlandheightsrva.org/" data-vars-content-id="4a55798d-2838-4b50-af5f-d68cbdc007d7" data-vars-headline="Porch concerts are bringing Richmond neighborhoods together" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://woodlandheightsrva.org/" target="_blank">Woodland Heights</a> neighborhood association is hosting the third installment of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tiny Porch Concerts" data-vars-click-url="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1r71psQlGfY-Sjz05SP9A9ZJBxHXrjkqztbPz3uEoNaE/present?slide=id.g274854fc1bd_0_0" data-vars-content-id="4a55798d-2838-4b50-af5f-d68cbdc007d7" data-vars-headline="Porch concerts are bringing Richmond neighborhoods together" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1r71psQlGfY-Sjz05SP9A9ZJBxHXrjkqztbPz3uEoNaE/present?slide=id.g274854fc1bd_0_0" target="_blank">Tiny Porch Concerts</a> series.

3 big comedy shows coming to Richmond

Patton Oswalt and Nick Offerman will also be in town.

A run of big-name comedians is coming through Richmond.Up first: Former SNL performer Pete Davidson is coming to the National on Aug. 30 — a late addition to his &quot;Pete Davidson and Friends&quot; tour.

Illustration of a pattern of theater masks.

Things to Do 🗓