RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond Folk Festival provides the opportunity to sample a lot of food, in addition to a big heaping of audio desserts. There are options ranging from classic festival fare to exotic flavors from around the globe.
There are four food areas set up throughout the festival;
Tredegar Food Court, Altria Stage Food Court, Brown’s Island section and area by Community Foundation stage.
This is the fourth year that the festival has offered craft beer, and each year there are more options.
In fact, there are two brews made specifically for this event: Wild Wolf’s Folktoberfest and the FestivALE by Champion Brewing Company.Wine fans have a choice between imbibing “Foot Stompin’ Festival Red” or “Foot Stompin’ Festival White.”
This year the Craft Beer Tent returns, with a stout amount of numerous beers in rotation (see what I did there!). This is the place to sample craft beers — many from Virginia — and attend special seminars and events. Look for this beer drinker’s paradise off Tredegar Street, beside the American Civil War Center.
To get beer lovers hyped, Loveland Distributing plans to rotate certain beers hourly. There will also be staples on tap throughout the weekend.
On Friday, Bells Double Two-Hearted (6 p.m.), Port City Colossal V (7 p.m.) Stone Unapologetic (8 p.m.) and Founders ReDANKulous ( 9 p.m.) will be tapped.
Folk FestivALE by Champion Brewing.
On Saturday, in hourly rotation starting at noon, look forward to (in order): Founders Breakfast Stout (noon), South Street Bumper Crop, Anderson Valley Barrel Aged Salted Caramel Porter, Samuel Adams Leche Pear, Avery Ale to the Chief, Trapezium New England Double IPA, Founders Devil Dancer, Stone Vertical Epic 02.02.02, Alewerks Jubilee and Anderson Valley Brother David (9 p.m.).
On Sunday, in hourly rotation starting at noon, look forward to ( in order): Founders Pale Joe (noon), South Street Tongue Dropper, Anderson Valley Horse Tongue Wheat, Boulevard Saison Brett, SweetWater The Pit and the Pendulum and Anderson Valley Horse Tongue Thribble (5 p.m.).
Get full descriptions of those beers, here.
Craft beer speakers include brewers with Stone Brewing and Trapezium Brewing Company, in addition to Brad Straughn with Loveland Distributing.
Food options don’t just include ways to spend money and stuff your face. There will also be ways to learn from Virginia Folklife Cooking demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday how to cook at home and stuff your face.
Learn about African vegetarian traditions from Chef Ida MaMusu or Mexican food traditions from Luz Lopez. Randy Blush, who first learned the craft of cooking Brunswick Stew from Stewmaster Norman Long in Caroline County, will be cooking up his blue-ribbon version of the staple.
Also learn more about Sephardic cooking traditions from Beyhan Çagri Trock, get the Tangier Island crab bisque recipe, and check out Filipino food traditions. Click here for the schedule.
The Richmond Folk Festival brings about 200,000 people into the city for the three-day event. The hours are Friday, Oct. 7, from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9, from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 9, from noon to 6 p.m.
Handy, downloadable items:
| Browns island | |
| Boka Truck | Asian-mexican-american fusion tacos |
| Nadar’s Bistro | Gyros,beef/chicken kabobs, veggie pita, hummus, rice pilaf |
| Ginger Thai Taste | Pad thai chicken, bangkok chicken, satay chicken, dumplings |
| Africanne on Main | Chicken, fish, veggies, rice, plantains, corn bread and ginger tea |
| Strawberry Street Event Concessions | Fried Oysters, Shrimp, Clams, Crabcakes, Burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, fried oreos |
| Croaker’s Spot | Fish, Chicken, Cornbread, Corn on the Cob, Red beans and rice, Mac and Cheese |
| Amira Enterprises | Italian/kelbasa sausage, philly steak, chicken philly steak, funnel cakes, butterfly chips |
| Aloha Café | White Sticky Rice, Smoked Salmon Poke’, Ahi Tuna Poke’, Shoyu Chicken Wings, Spam Musubi |
| Jadeans Smokin Six O | Pulled Pork BBQ, Texas Style Beef Brisket, Smoked chicken. Ribs, Sausage, hand cut seasoned fries |
| India K’ Raja | Chicken tikka masala, samosa, lamb curry, chicken kabab rolls |
| Gelati Celesti Ice Cream | Heavenly handmade ice creams |
| Caribbean Pot | Jerk Chicken, Curry Chicken, Rice, Cabbage, Peas |
| Community Foundation Stage | |
| Cool Concessions Kettle Corn | Kettle Corn |
| Leisure Time | Funnel Cakes, lemonade,soft serve ice cream |
| MacBrand Foods | Sausage, cheesesteaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, onion rings |
| Goatocado | Vegan Sandwiches and sides |
| Barefoot Bucha | Certified Organic Kombucha |
| Altria Stage Food Court | |
| Food Corner & Grill | Chicken Terriyaki on a stick, veggie fried rice, veggie lo mein, pad thai |
| La Milpa | Quesadillas, burritos, mexican tacos, soft tacos |
| Soul Ice | Frozen non dairy dessert |
| Hand Popped Kettle Corn | Kettle Corn |
| Gregory’s Grill | Crab cakes,fish tacos, fried oysters, NC bbq, crab soup |
| The Hungry Turtle | Banh Mi, Vietnamese Tacos, Egg Rolls, Rice Bowls, Sushi Bowls, Asian styled sliders and hot dogs |
| Capital City Concessions | Cabbage and corn beef, Bangors and Mash |
| Tredegar Food Court | |
| International Grill | Garlic Chicken over Greek Salad, Steak in Pita, Chicken in Pita, Mediterranean sausage, Falafel, Greek Salad |
| Cool Concessions | Po-Boys, Shrimp, Oysters, Calamari, Alligator, BBQ, Steak and Cheese, Crab Balls, Fried Mac and Cheese |
| Urbanna Seafood Company | Crab cakes, Soft Shell Crab Sandwich, Popcorn Shrimp, Chicken fingers |
| Espresso A Go Go | Coffee, Lattes, Mochas, Espressos |
| Return of the Mac | Gourmet Mac & Cheese |
| Island Noodles | Hawaiian Style Soba Noodles prepared vegan, with protein, or vegatables |
| Cheezilla Gourmet Grilled Cheese | Gourmet veggie and meat grilled cheese sandwiches |
| Copper Pot Gifts, LLC | Roasted Fruits and Nuts-Almonds, cashews, pecans, strawberries, mango, coconut, pineapple |
HERE IS WHERE TO PARK, OR SHUTTLE
Free parking and free shuttles are available from the City Stadium at 3201 Maplewood Avenue. All shuttles will stop at two festival locations: one at 2nd Street and one at 7th Street and leave regularly throughout the day.
Shuttle hours:
Friday – 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Saturday – 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Sunday – 11:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Shuttle hotline: 804-358-4782
Parking at the festival is easy. Multiple parking lots are available downtown.
Bike parking is located near 2nd and Byrd Street. The area will be open during festival hours; Friday, 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, noon to 9:30 p.m., Sunday, noon – 6 p.m. The area will not be staffed, so please make sure to bring a bike lock.
Shockoe Bottom, 100 Virginia St. – $7
Crowne Plaza, 555 E. Canal St. Varies – $5 -$10
801 E. Cary Street (Lot between 8th & 9th on Cary) – Varies $6 – $10
1200 E. Byrd St.(along the flood wall) – $8
Richmond Times-Dispatch parking, 300 E. Franklin St – $5, cash only
CityParking – $5
Main & Foushee
1st & Canal
3rd & Cary
4th & Canal
5th & Canal, 5th & Cary
6th & Main
8th & Cary
