First Place: Arts in the Park

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richmondartsinthepark.com

Second Place: First Fridays Art Walk

Third Place: Richmond Folk Festival

Richmond loves its traditions, and Arts in the Park has been a mainstay for 42 years, with director Pat Lovelace at the helm for all of them, roping in her children and grandchildren to help. "The prices are reasonable, the artists are top-notch and there's a variety of visual arts to buy," she says. "Pottery, stained glass, you name it and we probably have at least one of it." With 425 vendors, many of whom have participated for more than 20 years, it's a good thing the art extravaganza runs an entire May weekend in Byrd Park. Many people attend the free event both days. For those who need their art fix monthly, First Fridays Art Walk continues to bring people downtown for a full evening of art, music, eating and drinking. But it's a social occasion too, and the promenading that defines the art walk matters as much to some as the art. The Richmond Folk Festival has become a beloved annual event since the exodus of the National Folk Festival. It continues to draw visitors as well as hordes of locals, showing that Richmond can make things happen.