SUMMER 2016 Stay Cool with these FUN things to do in RVA! What do waterslides, watermelons and flying squirrels have in common?  Not much, other than RVA will celebrate them all in style this summer.  There’s always a way to stay cool in Richmond, but this summer has a groovy new solution: the first annual SLIDE THE CITY.  What’s that you say?   A giant waterslide named Usain Bolt will overtake downtown the weekend of June 18^th and slip-and-slide its way through the city.  Enjoy live music, drinks, and miles of sliding that claim to be as cushy as your grandpa’s orthotics. https://secure.slidethecity.com/event/Richmond   Looking for something a bit more low key?  Try Richmond’s Homearama, held in Midlothian’s heavenly Hallsley community, June 4-19.  It’s where Million Dollar Listing meets HGTV, right here in RVA.  Jump on this opportunity to tour unique properties showcasing Richmond’s very best builders, professionally designed and decorated with endless eye candy.  Tour homes daily from 11 am – 6 pm.  http://richmondhomearama.com   You’re sure to work up an appetite during your weekend adventures, so stop for a bite at the 41^st annual Greek Festival, held the weekend of June 2-5.  The festival is located at the corner of Malvern and Grove, where Greek food, festival, and culture have been celebrated for over 40 years.  Too busy to stop by and enjoy the live music? No worries - there’s a drive thru!  Preview the menu here: http://www.greekfestival.com   There’s even more to munch on the following weekend at the Richmond Vegetarian Festival, on June 25^th in Bryan Park.  With music, speakers, non-profits, local businesses, and of course, delicious vegetarian eats! Be sure to check it out from noon-6 pm.  It’s pet friendly, so bring Fido along for a treat! https://www.veggiefest.org   Before you know it, July will descend upon on us with the white-hot heat of summer.  Fireworks will light up the RVA skyline at the usual spots along the James River and The Diamond, but this year offers a new option: Red, White, and Lights will contribute some dazzling twilight competition on July 4^th at the Meadow Farm Museum in Crump Park.  Where else can you enjoy food trucks, a laser light show AND the Richmond Symphony?  http://henrico.us/rec/places/meadow-farm/   July is all about celebrating America, and what’s more American than baseball?  If you missed all the fireworks on July 4^th, you can catch them after The Flying Squirrels game on July 7^th.  Other promotions offered by the Flying Squirrels include a celebration of Spanish heritage on July 9, a chance to “be a superhero” on July 10 where patrons can play catch on the field, or take your favorite pooch to the game on July 18. Take yourself out to the ballpark anytime this summer.  Grab the full schedule here: http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t3410   If you’re looking for some culture with a side of history, put a visit to Agecroft on your July schedule to attend the Richmond Shakespeare Festival.  The Merchant of Venice is slated to run July 7-31 at the historic English estate of Agecroft, located in Windsor Farms.  “The play’s the thing!” penned The Bard hundreds of years ago, and it still is; find out more about the upcoming outdoor shows here: http://www.agecrofthall.com/View.aspx?page=home/home08 If you just want to get your groove on, make a date with the Richmond Jazz Festival, hosted at Maymont, August 11-14.  Jazz, blues and funk are paired with classy cuisine and culture for one of the premier music festivals in the country.  Celebrating its 7^th year, the Richmond Jazz Festival offers jazz connoisseurs a world-class musical destination.  https://jazzatmaymont.com   Wind down your summer with a slice of life – and watermelon – at Carytown’s annual Watermelon Festival.  Held the second weekend in August for decades, it is Richmond’s nod to the seedy melon that brings juice to Cary Street each summer.  Scheduled for August 14, this year’s festival will feature jugglers, face painters, bands, vendors, a spritzing tent, and of course everything edible and wearable watermelon.  Last year over 118,000 Richmonders sliced through 2,600 juicy melons.  There’s even more melon in store for 2016.   http://www.carytownrva.com/watermelon-festival.html   Get out there and enjoy all that RVA has to offer this summer.  If you can’t make it to any of the special festivals or events, there’s always the good ‘ole James River to splash around in, so take advantage of the many resources of our great city.  Rivers, parks, museums – there’s something for everyone in Richmond, VA.