City to Hold “Imagine Festival” on October 18 to Celebrate Community Diversity

By -

The City of Richmond invites the community to the 10th annual Imagine Festival at Broad Rock Sports Complex, 4802 Warwick Road, on Saturday, October 18, from noon to 5:30 p.m. This year’s Imagine Festival will feature dance performances, arts, crafts, exhibitors, diverse food vendors, and fun activities for the entire family. Approximately 15 local community groups will perform throughout the day and approximately 40 area organizations will be providing information about their services, to include free health screenings through the Una Vida Sana program, screenings through the Richmond City Health District, and a variety of sports, such as soccer and softball. To close the event, the local bachata band, Cheito Davoice, will perform at 5 p.m. Admission to this community and family event is free.

“I am pleased that we are able to again bring the Imagine Festival to the residents of Richmond. For ten consecutive years, it has provided a venue that encourages the celebration and uniting of our diverse communities in a positive, educational environment. I hope families throughout the Richmond area will come and enjoy this year’s event, meet their neighbors and learn about our different cultures. The Imagine Festival also helps us, City government, build rapport with Richmond residents and engage them with information on City services,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones.

The Imagine Festival began in 2005 as a community outreach event sponsored by Richmond’s Gang Reduction and Intervention Program. Since then, the City has sponsored the festival, which has grown larger with each year. This year’s partners and sponsors include the Enrichmond Foundation, Virginia Housing Development Authority, Telemundo Richmond, Latinos News, Anthem Healthkeepers Plus, BB & T, State Farm, Ready Virginia, Merchant’s Club of VA, Nuevas Raíces, Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce & Foundation, HASA, Liga Copa Libertadores, and many other community groups and organizations.

For more information about the Imagine Festival, please call the City’s Office of Multicultural Affairs at (804) 646-0145.