Dominion Riverrock
That’s right, the rockin’, white-waterin’, mud-stompin’ Brown’s Island extravaganza returns with more flying bikes, leaping dogs and new events. The second annual weekend of pure entertainment will be held May 14-15th.

Produced by Sports Backers and Venture Richmond, Dominion Riverrock is a two-day festival that celebrates Richmond’s vibrant and active river life. The event boasts a series of sporting competitions including running, mountain biking, kayaking, rowing, freestyle biking and ultimate air dogs, along with musical performances, food vendors and exhibits.

This year’s acts include bluesy and soulful rock outfit, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals as well as a funk and soul group, Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Other performers­ include local bands Antero and  Farm Vegas. 

Kayak Big Air adds to the antics for the first time at the event—uh-huh, you read that right—a contest of extreme kayaking with tricks and flips. The Filthy 5k Mud Run is back for those of you who love a personal challenge and squishy thrills of being covered in Virginia’s finest red clay.
www.dominionriverrock.com

Richmond Raiders
With their first season underway, the American Indoor Football Association team offers all the thrills and spills of the sport Downtown at the Richmond Coliseum. Led by Coach Mike Siani, Richmond Raiders’ home games for spring include taking on the  Erie Riverrats on April 30th and then the Fayetteville Guard on May 8th. Just what would professional football be without the spirit of its cheerleaders? Former FL Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader (where she was captain, choreographer), Laura Eilers has assembled the Lady Raiders to pep up the crowd during half time.
richmondraidersprofootball.com

Friday Cheers
Venture Richmond’s signature summer concert series, Friday Cheers, presented by Coors Light and Yuengling, is back on Brown’s Island for its 26th season and promises to feature some of the nation’s hottest touring acts, along with some regional favorites. The series kicks off Friday, May 7, and continues Fridays through June 25, 6:00-9:30 p.m. All events are on Brown’s Island along Downtown Richmond’s beautiful historic riverfront.  Friday Cheers will offer seven concerts and is focused on a variety of performers that may only be in the region once this summer.  Friday Cheers is a Richmond institution!
www.venturerichmond.com

Va’s Rocketts Landing Cap2Cap 2010
Produced by The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, the annual Cap2Cap (Capital to Capital) Bike Ride will be held on May 8th. Participants choose routes of 25, 50 or 100 miles; then their starting location, Downtown Richmond along the James River in the Rocketts Landing Village, or beside the beautiful Chickahominy River in Williamsburg’s Chickahominy Riverfront Park. This year, organizers are again offering the BikeBeat 15-mile Family Ride on the beautiful Virginia Capital Trail in James City County.  Riders will be treated to Virginia’s most stunning scenery while pedaling through 400 years of history.
 www.virginiacapitaltrail.org

2010 KomenRichmond Race for the Cure
Started in 1998 by Jennifer Norvell Saunders, in memory of her mother Joanne who lost her battle with breast cancer. To honor her mother's life, Jennifer, her family, and friends planned the first Richmond Race for the Cure® with the hope that fifty people would join them. To Jennifer's surprise over 1,200 gathered at the starting line that Mother's Day weekend. Now in its 13th year,  the road race for runners and walkers is on Saturday, May 8th on Brown’s Island.
www.komenrichmond.org

Anthem Stride Through Time
Showcasing Richmond’s treasure-trove of historic sites, the June 5th 10k walk incorporates different “pockets” of discovery and follows existing walking tour routes. The event is put on by the Richmond Sports Backers in partnership with Historic Richmond Foundation and the Valentine Richmond History Center. A historical theme highlights the entertainment throughout the Downtown course. The many museums along the 6-mile route provide opportunities to sample the wealth of exhibits in Downtown Richmond highlighting the city’s 400-year history. High-energy bands mixed in between the museums, historic buildings, and other sites make the entire course a history festival.
www.sportsbackers.org


Stone Soul Music and Food Festival
Brown’s Island outdoor stage offers a variety of  performers and features Gospel and R&B artists on June 5th. But the fun doesn’t end there, as soul food vendors also provide regional favorites.  Last year’s event brought over 8,000 people and featured a kids zone, business and clothing vendors, tasty options from a dozen area restaurants. Barbeque plus Rhythm and Blues on Brown’s Island—got to love summers in Richmond!

Broad Appétit
Is the food any good? Well, if 18,000 people attended and no one went home hungry as they did at last year’s event that ought to tell you something. Returning on June 6th, this epicurean bonanza brings vendors, chefs and culinary exotica to Broad Street between Monroe and Adams Streets. Competitions include more than 50 of Richmond’s very best chefs preparing $3 mini-dish favorites for you to enjoy. Each chef will submit their dish to be judged by a panel of experts who will determine who has the “To Die For” Dish of Richmond. All this plus dessert? Are you kidding me!
www.broadappetit.com

World Beer Festival
As one of the top beer events in the country, the festival will premiere in Richmond on Saturday, June 12th, on Brown’s Island. Produced by All About Beer Magazine, the World Beer Festival is a celebration of the world beer culture, offering attendees a sampling of hundreds of beers from more than 200 domestic and international breweries. Festival goers can also enjoy educational sessions by industry experts, food from a variety of local restaurants, plus live entertainment by local musicians. The festival is presented by local Richmond charity,  FETCH a Cure, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping pet owners make better, fully informed decisions about caring for their aging pets.
www.allaboutbeer.com

XTERRA East Championship
On June 20th, Brown’s Island is transformed into the arena for urban adventure at its finest with a bizarre combination of natural and man-made obstacles creating the best metropolitan trail system in the country. This epic ride through the James River Parks System annually lures athletes from more than 35 states and pros from around the world. You can sign-up to participate in the XTERRA Richmond Trail Run 10K, the XTERRA Richmond off-road half-marathon “Xduro” trail run, and there’s plenty of free kids zone activities.
www.xterraplanet.com