How can you tell it’s October in Richmond? Even without a calendar or a smartphone, a few signs stand out.

One is the annual showcase of the state’s agricultural products, complete with games, rides and shows: the Virginia State Fair. Another is the Second Street Festival, usually held the first full weekend in October and organized by Venture Richmond. 

If those events don’t grab your attention, the Richmond Folk Festival typically lands on the second weekend of October. This year, it’s scheduled for Oct. 10-12. The Blackbyrds are performing and, if you’re old enough to be reading these words on paper, you might remember some of their jazz and funk hits such as “Walking in Rhythm” and “Rock Creek Park.” 

For the calendar-challenged among us, there’s another sure sign: politics. Since this is an election year, as you might’ve noticed from the incessant advertising on TV and the internet, you don’t have to watch for cultural events. Just wait for the “October surprise” to appear. Then you know for sure. 

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, an “October surprise” is any news or political development timed to hit in October as Election Day nears, meant to shake up the race at the last minute. It’s a deliberate plot twist designed to turn a contest on its head in the final weeks. This year, we’ve seen at least two in the statewide races so far. 

On Oct. 1, news resurfaced about a now-deleted Tumblr blog that Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Reid has denied owning. The blog was referenced months ago by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who suggested Reid should leave the race. At the time, the public did not know the blog’s contents, which shared a username with other social media accounts linked to Reid. Now, we have a clearer picture. 

The content on the blog, which has been called “pornographic,” is shocking and disturbing. There are themes of Nazism, white supremacy and sexual violence. Upon further review, it’s understandable why the governor raised concerns. Whoever is behind the promotion of these ideas should not hold elected office. 

Then there’s Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate for attorney general. The son of longtime state Sen. Jerrauld Jones, he has come under fire for text messages sent in 2022 that joked about violent threats toward then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and made unpleasant remarks about his family. The messages were not public at the time but are now. Jones has taken responsibility and apologized: 

“Reading back those words made me sick to my stomach. I am embarrassed, ashamed and sorry. I have reached out to Speaker Gilbert to apologize directly to him, his wife Jennifer, and their children. I cannot take back what I said; I can only take full accountability and offer my sincere apology.” 

A speeding ticket and his lack of consequences for driving fast, along with other alleged comments about law enforcement officers, have also been brought to light. 

As jarring as these revelations about Nazis, violent threats and racism as fetish are, it’s unclear whether they will move the needle for Virginia voters. Early voting began days before some of these “surprises” surfaced. For many voters, neither scandal — or the public reaction to either — is likely to sway minds already made up. 

So yes, it’s October in Richmond. Leaves are changing, festivals are rolling, and political scandals are dropping right on schedule. Whether these revelations actually matter to voters or become just more background noise in a deafening election cycle remains to be seen — along with the next surprise.