Henrico County’s Original Ronnie’s BBQ restaurant took first place this month at the Six in the City Southern BBQ experience in Chicago, Illinois.
The annual competition is a friendly competition between barbecue masters and chefs from six Southern states known for smoking some of the best barbecue in the country. The event featured smoked meats from Birmingham, Alabama; Columbia, South Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Richmond.
Ronnie’s BBQ wins Six in the City Southern BBQ Experience competition
Courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
Richmond Region Tourism partnered with Ronnie’s BBQ for the annual event where Chicago meeting planners vote for the best chef and booth presentation.
Ronnie’s BBQ and Richmond Region Tourism won the title of “Best Chef”.
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“This is an exciting win for our region,” said Jerrine Lee, vice president of sales for Richmond Region Tourism, in a news release. “Groups choose our community because of our high-quality facilities and because they can easily experience our great attractions, culture and restaurants. The meetings and events industry is about building relationships, and what better way to connect than through delicious Southern cuisine. Ronnie helped give attendees a taste of our incredible culinary scene.”
150 event planners voted in the contest. Ronnie’s BBQ served up brown sugar bacon deviled eggs, Virginia smoked brisket, macaroni and cheese, honey butter cornbread and sweet tea lemonade pound cake.
Courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
Richmond Region Tourism has participated in Six in the City events in Washington, DC for the past four years, winning the “Best Booth Presentation” award twice. This is the first time the award has been won in the chef category.
Ronnie’s BBQ is located off the Virginia Capital Trail at 2097 New Market Road. The family-friendly restaurant is open Friday through Sunday, noon to 7 p.m., or while supplies last.
Your guide to 14 festivals coming to the Richmond area this season
Caribbean-American Heritage Festival
June 29
Join the celebration of Caribbean cultures, cuisine, music, dance and art as the Caribbean American Heritage Festival and Parade comes to Dorey Park with entertainment and activities for all ages, starting with a “Carnivale Spirit” parade and including live entertainment, a selection of food trucks and vendors, a children’s area with arts and crafts, and more. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 2999 Darbytown Road, Henrico. Free ; pay as you go. (804) 322-9665 or www.ahpva.org.
Robert Penthény
People’s Evolution Music Festival
June 29: Richmond Ninth District Councilwoman Nicole Jones hosts the People’s Evolution Music Fest. Featuring live performances, spoken word, food trucks, market vendors and much more. Broad Rock Sports Complex: 4835 Old Warwick Road. From 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Pixels
Dogwood Dell Fireworks and 4th of July Celebration
4th July: Come celebrate the 4th of July at Dogwood Dell. This free event will include a performance by the Richmond Jazz Concert Band and a concert of patriotic and pop music from the Richmond Concert Band. Performances will begin around 5:30 p.m. and fireworks are expected to begin around 9 p.m. 600 S. Arthur Ashe Blvd. https://www.facebook.com/rvaparksandrec or (804) 646-5733.
SHABAN ATHUMAN, SHIPPING TIME
July 4th at the Virginia State Capitol
4th July
Experience the majestic grounds of the Virginia State Capitol transformed into a vibrant place of celebration through performances of spoken word, dance and music leading up to unifying and inspiring opening remarks and a very special finale. Virginia State Capitol 1000 Bank St., 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. va250.org/independence-day-at-virginias-state-capitol/
Joe Daniel Price
Dogwood Dell Arts Festival
Now-September 21: The Dogwood Dell Festival of the Arts features free performances, plays, concerts and more.
New festivities this year include a series of Jubilation in June events on June 14 and 16, featuring performances by the Legacy Band and Richmond DJ Mad Skillz & Friends, respectively. There will also be a Mid-Summer Night’s Slam on June 21.
Other notable performances include a Taylor Swift tribute on June 23, SPARC’s presentation of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” from August 16-17, an Afro festival on August 31, and a Prince tribute on September 7, among others.
All events take place at Dogwood Dell, off 1300 Blanton Ave.
View the full summer schedule here.
JOE MAHONEY, TIME-SHIPPING
Tomato Festival in Hanover
July 12 and 13
Celebrate the delicious red vegetable (or is it a fruit?) at an outdoor festival filled with a mix of agriculture, crafts and artisan vendors, plus tomato-themed activities for all ages, Hannover tomatoes to taste and buy and centered on the tomato. a cuisine to enjoy. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 8996 Pole Green Park Lane, Mechanicsville. Free; pay as you go. www.hanovertomatofestival.com.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
804 Day: Richmond’s Biggest Block Party
August 2nd : 804 Day, Richmond’s largest block party, celebrates area talent with more than 15 bands playing across three stages, spanning genres including pop, rock, R&B, jazz, folk and country . Richmond hip-hop artist Nickelus F will headline. 17th Street Market. https://www.shockoerecords.com/804day
Dave Parrish
Richmond Dragon Boat Festival
August 3
Decorated mega-canoe racing on the James River, with views from Rocketts Landing. www.sportsbackers.org
DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/RTD
Richmond Jazz and Music Festival
August 9-11
Richmond Jazz and Music Festival returns to Maymont with Ludacris, Fantasia, Wyclef Jean and more. richmondjazzandmusicfestival.com
DANIEL SANGJIB MIN, SHIPPING TIMES
Carytown Watermelon Festival
August 11
Watermelon bowls are back at the Carytown Watermelon Festival, which will take over the streets of Carytown with live music, food vendors, sidewalk sales from Carytown merchants and tons of fresh watermelons. More than 115,000 people typically attend the event, which serves more than 3,000 watermelons, 80 musicians and a huge children’s area with rides and games. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nansemond Street to Colonial Avenue on West Cary Street. Free; pay as you go. www.carytownwatermelonfestival.com.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
33rd Annual Down Home Family Reunion
August 17
Experience global African culture at the 33rd Down Home Family Reunion, a celebration of African American folk life presented by the Elegba Folklore Society. This vibrant festival connects West African cultural traditions with African Americans through music, dance and food. 4 p.m.-11 p.m. Abner Clay Park, 200 W. Clay St. Free, pay as you go. (804) 644-3900
Courtesy of Elegba Folklore Society
Chesterfield County Fair
August 23-31
The Chesterfield County Fair returns with rides, games, a horse show, animals, fair food and more. Chesterfield Fairgrounds.
Mike Kropf/TIMES-DISPATCH
Iron Flower Music Festival
The Iron Blossom Music Festival has announced the dates for this year’s event: September 21-22. It will once again be held at the Bon Secours Training Center.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
