RVA East End Festival, a two-day celebration featuring the art and musical talents of public school students in Richmond’s East End, will be held Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6, at Chimborazo Park, 3201 E. Broad St.

The theme for the free event: The Gift of Arts and Music.

The Richmond Symphony has provided its “Big Tent,” a traveling amphitheater-style stage, for the festival, which will run from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday and from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Highlights include a performance Friday evening by the Richmond Symphony and student musical and dance performances from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday by George Mason and Chimborazo elementary schools, Armstrong High School, Church Hill Academy and Commonwealth Dance Academy.

A variety of other local groups, including Ezibu Muntu, Richmond Urban Dance, The Cheats Movement and Mahogany Soul, will perform from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

An exhibit of artwork by students in East End public schools will be on display and there will be activities for children, vendors, food trucks and a beer garden.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe and his wife, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, are honorary chairs of the festival, which is now in its second year.

Money raised at the festival through individual donations and corporate and foundation support is used to boost music and arts programs at Richmond Public Schools in the East End.

As a result of last year’s inaugural festival, a full set of string instruments was given to the East End schools — Bellevue, Chimborazo, Fairfield Court, George Mason and Woodville elementary schools, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, Armstrong High School and Franklin Military Academy.

The event is sponsored by the City of Richmond, Richmond Public Schools, the Richmond Symphony and a consortium of local businesses and civic organizations.

Details: www.rvaeastend fest.org.