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Published: Monday, September 26 2022
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Written by Robyn Bentley
In 2019, Diversity Richmond hosted its first Viva RVA! celebration, commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBTQ+ Pride. With a goal of welcoming 500 people, the event exceeded expectations with 700 attendees. No one could have prepared for the pandemic. What was founded as a music and cultural festival morphed to coordinating food drives in collaboration with Feed More and partnering with the Virginia Department of Health to host COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics.
In 2021, Viva RVA! partnered with Richmond’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement (OIRE) and the Office of Minority Business Development to host a 15-week Latino Entrepreneurship Academy, during which participants learned from business owners and financial experts in Spanish. This year will see a return to the traditional event, with music, dance and food, and art.
Viva RVA! is a family-friendly event with free admission from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Due to the weather, we will celebrate Viva RVA! inside the Event Hall that holds 500 guests. Food trucks, vendors and exhibitors will be available, and performers include bomba, plena and salsa band Kadencia; Puerto Rican folk dance group Tradición; Brazilian quartet Quatro na Bossa, Latina Drag Queens, Serenata Duo, Children's Musical Performances, Salsa Lessons, door prizes and more!
Enjoy authentic Hispanic music, food, interactive stations, dance lessons, drag show, children program and exhibitors. The Viva RVA! Hispanic Music Festival is FREE. Eventbrite ticket is required.
More information, follow us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/VivaRVA
HIGHLIGHTS
11:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony
1:45 a.m. Quatro Na Bossa
12:15 p.m. Latino Entrepreneur Academy Presentation
12:30 p.m. Quatro Na Bossa
1:00 p.m. Tradición Dance Company and Salsa Lessons
1:40 p.m. Serenata
2:30 p.m. Tony Tunes - Children's Musical Program
3:00 p.m. Presentation of Commemorative El Abrazo
3:15 p.m. Kadencia4:00 p.m. Kendra Ferretti & Friends - Family-Friendly Latino Drag Show
4:30 p.m. Kadencia
5:15 p.m. Closing Remarks
Follow us on Facebook for more updates:https://www.facebook.com/VivaRVA
GENERAL INFORMATION
RAIN DATE Viva RVA! will happen rain or shine! If there is rain forecasted on the day of the event, we will move the performance stage to the Event Hall that holds 500 people. Food trucks and vendors will remain outdoors.
FOOD & BEVERAGES Several local Hispanic Food trucks/vendors will be on-site with food and beverages for purchase. There will also be beer and wine available for purchase. You must be 21+ with a valid ID to purchase alcohol tickets. Wristbands for alcohol will be issued for all attendees 21+ that have a valid ID.NO
COOLERS ALLOWED Coolers with beverages/food from outside the festival are NOT permitted. Please come and enjoy the amazing Hispanic food and beverages from the festival. No alcoholic beverages of any kind may be brought to the event.
DOOR PRIZES All attendees are eligible for entry in the door prize drawings. Please pick up your Door Prize ticket at the Viva RVA! Welcome Table. Door Prizes will be announced during each of the breaks. You must be present to win a door prize.
WHAT NOT TO BRING• Coolers, large backpacks• Alcohol• Bottles/glass containers• Contraband (drugs and weapons)• Laser pointers• Bikes, skateboards, inline skates• Bikes may be parked outside the festival area• Flying objects (drones, kites, frisbees, footballs, etc.)
CASH & CREDIT CARDS Admission and parking to Viva RVA! Music Festival are FREE. Food, beverages, and vendor goods can be purchased with cash or if the vendor accepts debit/credit cards. There is an ATM inside Diveristy Richmond's Event Hall.
PARKING Parking is FREE. The festival will be outdoors in the Diversity Richmond parking lot. You can park in available spaces in the Diversity Richmond lot off of Cummings Drive, or you can park in the streets surrounding Diversity Richmond.
RESTROOMS Restrooms are available inside the Event Hall at the Diversity Richmond building.
PETS Pets are allowed in the outdoor areas only of the Music Festival. No pets will be allowed inside Diversity Richmond. Remember that restrooms and alcohol will be inside the Event Hall. Also, please be mindful of cleaning up after your pet.
SECURITY There will be on site security to support the festival activities.
SEATING Outdoor seating will be available near the food vendors. Indoor seating will be available in the Event Hall. Bring your lawn chairs and set up near the stage to enjoy the music and dancing performances.
LOST AND FOUND Viva RVA! is not responsible for lost or stolen items. However, any lost items can be requested at the Viva RVA! Welcome Table.
ACCESSIBILITY Viva RVA! is wheelchair accessible.Your Presence is Your Permission: Special photographers and videographers have been hired by festival organizers to document the event. Some images may be used in later promotional materials. Your presence at the event is seen as your permission for such promotional use by the non-profit organizers.
Follow us on Facebook for more updates:https://www.facebook.com/VivaRVA
