Richmonders are ditching the dating apps for speed rounds, beer pong and PowerPoint slides.

Why it matters: Swiping fatigue is fueling a wave of in-person matchmaking events across the city that's turning "finding the one" into often sold-out game nights, organizers tell Axios.

By the numbers: Eventbrite has seen Richmond-area speed dating events skyrocket more than 200% between October 2024 to this past September, compared to the same stretch in the years prior.

• Attendance is up 135% in that time frame, per data exclusively shared with Axios.

One upcoming event at Veil Brewing is a beer pong tournament.

• Beer Pong Speed Dating was started by UR grad Jeff Hunt, who told Axios that participants say it's been the least awkward way to meet people.
• "Only about a quarter of people actually have a romantic match at the end," Hunt says. "But that's kind of what real life is, right?"

Zoom in: Then there's Pitch-a-Friend, a nationwide phenomenon where people present decks about why you should date their friends.

• Rebecca Phillips, who brought the trend to Richmond, says even if you don't end up meeting someone, "it's just a big love fest."

Another speed dating series at Second Bottle in Church Hill has themed nights, such as ones for queer people or singles over 40.

• Owner Erin Keene says people have told her that the five-minute rounds cover more ground than days of texting.

The intrigue: The push for more dating events even led Sam Lydard, founder of Trying to Adult RVA, to launch Trying to Date.

• Her events mix traditional speed dating with musical chairs, range from arcade nights to coffee meetups, and bake in compliment cards.

The bottom line: The way to believe in love again in Richmond might just be logging off and showing up.

Upcoming dating events

Turning Point USA — the conservative group co-founded by the late Charlie Kirk — is seeing a resurgence on Virginia college campuses.

Why it matters: The group has been credited for helping secure the youth vote that delivered President Trump his victory in 2024.

• And now White House officials want to ensure it remains on solid footing ahead of the 2026 midterms, Axios' Alex Isenstadt scooped this week.

State of play: At the time of Kirk's death last month, Turning Point had roughly 900 official college chapters nationwide.

• Now, several public colleges in Virginia are reviving or starting a chapter, just some of the more than 32,000 inquiries Turning Point received for new chapters last month.
• Gov. Youngkin helped up the ante while filling in for Kirk at Virginia Tech's Turning Point event last month, where he announced a $100,000 donation to help support new Virginia chapters.

Zoom in: VCU's Turning Point USA chapter, last active in 2023, is being revived, per the editor of VCU 's student paper.

• More than 80 students turned out for an interest meeting last month for a JMU chapter, The Breeze, reported.
• And similar resurgences seem to he happening at other Virginia colleges, including ODU, George Mason and UVA.

Keep reading for more about the group

ICE agents detained a 53-year-old Richmond father with a valid visa while his teenage son waited for the school bus late last month. (VPM)

• He's currently at Farmville Detention Center after being held at Riverside Regional Jail.
• The son told VPM that he hasn't returned to school so he can help pay the bills while his dad is gone.

🏛️ UVA is one of nine major universities the White House asked to embrace President Trump's views on gender, admissions and free speech in exchange for priority access to federal funding. (Axios Austin)

A memorial banner for the late Charlie Kirk was vandalized on private property in Culpeper yesterday morning. The sheriff there said it "has the appearance of a hate crime." (Culpeper Star-Exponent)

🫗 Two Lindsey Food Group restaurants at Chesterfield Towne Center — ML Steak and Kali Love — have been temporarily closed for months while the owners negotiate new lease agreements with the mall. (Times-Dispatch)

One of the worst parts about Richmond is trying to park (or drive) in Scott's Addition.

Why it matters: We're here to give you some tips on how to hack it.

1: Don't. Take the Pulse, snag a bike from a share station or hop on a scooter instead.

2: If you have to drive, avoid West Leigh and West Moore streets, especially near Väsen or ZZQ on Sundays, when they have their bacon ribs special.

• Opt for Rockbridge Street near Black Lodge or Norfolk Street.

3: If you don't mind walking across Broad, head to Cutshaw Avenue across from Three Notch'd. You'll find a spot even at peak weekend hours. Just be sure to use the crosswalks.

Two more tips including restaurants that offer free parking

Earlier this year, King's Dominion outraged hundreds of people after announcing that season pass holders now have to pay an additional $10 to access its Halloween Haunt mazes.

Why it matters: I stopped by the amusement park yesterday to see if the additional $10 is worth it.

The verdict: Yes, though I say that as a non-season pass holder.

Zoom in: This year's Halloween Haunt has six themed mazes with more special effects and new lighting and sound packages, says spokesperson Sydney Snow.

• I walked through the "Trick or Treat" one that's all about witches and lost souls, and left out of breath from being chased — and screaming.
• On a usual night, one maze could have 20-40 "monsters" throughout it.
• Getting that and six mazes for the price of a cocktail? Yes.

Full list of what's new and included in the season pass, plus a secret nightclub