Nothing signals fall more in Richmond than the annual 2nd Street Festival in Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward. This year’s festival is particularly special in that Richmonders and visitors alike will celebrate the event’s 35th year.

As we look toward the festival on Saturday and Sunday, we won’t even think about last year’s festival that was canceled.

The shattering news was sudden and swift: “The Richmond Free Press has been informed that the 34th 2nd Street Festival scheduled Oct. 1-2 is canceled. The popular annual event celebrates the history of Jackson Ward and its heyday as the heart and soul of the Black community,” our story read.

“Like you all, I’m sure, we’ve been watching Hurricane Ian for days, hoping against hope that it would not be the massive and potentially deadly weather event that it clearly has become,” said Lisa Sims, in a Sept. 28, 2022, email message to Venture Richmond trustees that was provided to the Richmond Free Press. Venture Richmond is the Downtown booster group that produces the festival.

“While we are extremely lucky to be a few states away from the serious issues Florida is facing, we also know that this weekend promises massive amounts of rainfall and potentially strong wind gusts for our area,” said Mrs. Sims. “After consulting meteorologists, vendors, contractors, security, and other event planners, we’ve concluded to the best of our ability that the event, if held, would not be successful. We also must put the safety of our patrons, artists, vendors, contractors, and staff foremost, and the threat is simply too great.

Fortunately, no hurricanes are forecast this year and only a 40% chance of rain is predicted on Saturday.

During the 35 years of the 2nd Street Festival, dozens of entertainers have taken the stage and this year’s lineup won’t be any different. Topping the list is the Average White Band, a group that formed 16 years before the 2nd Street Festival debuted. The audacity to bring a band to town older than the festival speaks to Venture Richmond’s confidence that the city is open-minded and eclectic enough to handle music that Baby Boomers boogied to.

Some of you may recall the 2nd Street Festival’s first year in 1988. Situated then and now in Jackson Ward, formerly dubbed “The Harlem of the South,” a big white tent and folding chairs were centerpieces that drew crowds from all parts of Richmond. Dancing, food, fun, live music and people, perhaps a tad more sedate back then, were festival highlights. Numerous civic, social and neighborhood groups pitched in to make the event a win.

Over time, Venture Richmond, inarguably one of Richmond’s best cheerleaders, assumed the labor-intensive job of organizing and presenting the festival. Their “work to do” has paid off for what Venture Richmond itself describes as engaging business and community leaders “in partnering with the city to enhance the vitality of the community, particularly downtown, through economic development, marketing, promotion, advocacy and events.”

Yes, that’s a mouthful, but the nearly two dozen event sponsors for this year’s 2nd Street Festival not only talk the talk, but walk the walk by providing sponsorship dollars or in-kind donations to allow free entry to attendees young and old.

Those sponsors, which can be viewed on Venture Richmond’s website, deserve applause.

Enjoy the 2nd Street Festival, Richmond, and don’t forget to “pick up the pieces” of must-have items before you leave.