Spooky season is in full swing, and chilling experiences in the days ahead include ghost tours, Halloween scary-oke and a haunted car wash. Plus, the River City Roller Derby skates into the Greater Richmond Convention Center, and “America’s Favorite Fighting Frenchman” makes local stops on his victory tour. Enjoy!
Jamming in the City
Get ready to root for the hometown heroes of the River City Roller Derby during the second annual People’s Battle of Richmond this weekend, Oct. 25-27. Eight teams from across the nation — including the Riots and the Rats of RVA — will converge at the Greater Richmond Convention Center for three days of rough-and-tumble skating action. One-day admission is $15, two-day is $25, and three-day is $35.
—Mark Newton, News Editor
Get Boo-zy
Grab some friends and ready your singing voices for “Spooky-oke” at James River Cellars Winery on Oct. 25. Enjoy fare from food truck Wrapperz D-Lite and, of course, wine. Get your Halloween costume out early for the costume contest; categories are best couple, scariest and most creative. Admission is free, and the scary karaoke goes from 6 to 9 p.m.
—Alyssa Hutton, Editorial Intern
Horror Wash
The ghouls and goblins have taken over Tommy’s Express Car Wash in North Chesterfield (10100 Hull St.), creating a Tunnel of Terror. Hosted Oct. 25-26 from 7 to 10 p.m., this is one spooky ride. Expect jump scares, eerie music and costumed attendants as you get your vehicle cleaned. Tickets (including the car wash) are $25.
—Nicole Cohen, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Guess Who’s Back
The Marquis de Lafayette, our Revolutionary War BFF (Best French Friend), is taking a re-created 1824 victory lap of the nation he helped create. He’ll appear at venues across the commonwealth, including several here and near: On Oct. 26 at the Petersburg Public Library, “Revolutionary Petersburg & the Marquis de Lafayette, America’s Favorite Fighting Frenchman” is followed by a ticketed banquet. Catch a Virginia Museum of History & Culture webinar Nov. 1 all about the man, geared toward students in grades 4-12. He’s even returning to Goochland, at Historic Tuckahoe on Nov. 2, for a ticketed event. For a full list of Lafayette-centric happenings, check out the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission website. If you attend any of these experiences, you can rightly say, “Lafayette, we are here.”
—Harry Kollatz Jr., Senior Writer
Meet Your Neighborhood Ghosts
If you want to meet the ghosts that might be haunting the city right now (maybe sneaking up behind you at this very minute), then check out the Richmond Ghosts tour happening all month. The experience will take you through Shockoe Bottom and explain the backstory of some of RVA’s historically haunted locations, including the filled-in rail tunnel in Church Hill and The Poe Museum. The tours last one hour, rain or shine, embarking from 17th Street Market at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $21.
—Melody Yuan, Editorial Intern
Other Suggestions
- “Mapping the Commonwealth, 1816-1826” opens at the Library of Virginia Oct. 21.
- The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts hosts “Fine Arts & Flowers” Oct. 23-27.
- “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” With Shadow Cast takes over the Ashland Theatre Oct. 26.
- Chesterfield Berry Farm’s Fall Festival & Pumpkin Harvest closes Oct. 27.
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden presents HarvestFest Oct. 27.
- Lloyd Family Farms’ fall festivities and pumpkin patch close Oct. 27.
River City Roundup is Richmond magazine’s weekly compilation of the best things to see, do and experience in the region, compiled by our editors. Get each week’s installment directly in your inbox every Monday by subscribing to our e-newsletter.
