The $500,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II) is the richest annual thoroughbred Horse Race in Virginia. Attracting the best turf horses, jockeys and trainers in the country and it also attracts the largest crowd at Colonial Downs in New Kent. Three big parties, the annual Lite 98 Fancy Hat Contest, and Three Trackside Parties, the all-inclusive Xfinity Home “Party Zone”, the BYOB “Thrill on the Hill” and Tailgate in the Turn. Tickets available at www.colonialdowns.com or by calling 804-966-7223. Gates open at noon, parties and dinning rooms open at 3pm Saturday, July 13, the first 12 horse races, starts at 5pm and the Virgina Derby is at 8:12pm. Admission is $7 and kids 12 and under admitted free.
Hanover County’s 35th Annual Hanover Tomato Festival is Saturday, June 23, from 9am – 4pm at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville. For sale Hanover Tomatoes in bags, in a box or on a sandwich and with 260 vendors selling everything from fried green tomatoes to tomato casserole there will be no shortage of tomatoes. The festival will also have a large children’s area, entertainment featuring Country Star Craig Wayne Boyd and a special 35th Anniversary Memorabilia tent. It’s free to attend and vendors will be selling their food and vegetables. For more details on the Hanover Tomato Festival visit http://www.co.hanover.va.us/parksrec/tomatofest/.
“Pop Art and Beyond: Tom Wesselmann” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, on display through July 28, www.vmfa.state.va.us, 804-340-1400.
Jammin’ on The James, Free Summer Concerts overlooking the James River, Saturday, Forte Jazz Band, 6-8pm, Saturday, July 13 at Wilton House Museum, 215 South Wilton Road, free games, face painting and activities, www.wiltonhousemuseum.org or 804-282-5936.
“Melena”, A Cultural & Musical Journey into my Afro-Cuban Roots (The Play), Festival of Arts at Dogwood Dell, Byrd Park, at Sunday, July 14, 8pm, free event, 804-646-DELL.
Dress for Success Central Virginia “Shop for Success” opens its boutique, 321 North Boulevard, Saturday, July 13, 10am – 6pm, www.dressforsuccess.org/centralvirginia.
Nia Incorporated of Greater Richmond, an affiliate of The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church, 4247 Creighton Road; “Taking Care of Business Conference” St. Paul’s Baptist Church, Saturday, July 20 with reserved seating at John P. Kee concert Friday, July 19, information call Maxine Lambert, 804-554-1799.
