As summer gracefully retreats and autumn – dressed in its blazing wardrobe of vibrant colors – enters, Richmond gears up for a series of events that focus on running/walking for health, country music at its finest, a local festival that has quickly become a favorite, and of course, football.
The festivities kick off Friday, October 3rd at 8:00 p.m. when runners and walkers lace up their shoes for Baptist Health’s Neon 5K Night Run/Walk. It’s part of Paint the Town Pink in recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
While the exact route hasn’t yet been announced (stay tuned), word has it that a costume contest has been confirmed. Awards will be given in three categories: Best Dressed (start pulling those designer duds out of storage); Best Group Costume (be sure your group includes only your best-dressed besties), and Brightest Costume (get out your Crayola box and take your inspiration from colors such as magenta, teal, goldenrod and bubble gum – no drab grays and browns allowed).
In addition to Baptist Health Richmond, partners for this event are the Millstone Festival, True Heart Vintage, EKU and Apollo Pizza (so you know there will be some tasty treats.)
This October, there will be no rest for the weary – whether you’re mad for marathons or just love a good time. The day after the Neon 5K, on October 4th, the annual Millstone Festival attracts thousands to downtown.
This year’s event will be the 6th annual held in its namesake half-acre pocket park, dedicated to preserving and showcasing stones recovered from area farms and businesses. The stones (ranging in size from 200 pounds to two tons) were once used for grinding flour, corn and wheat.
The stones may be the stars of the show, which runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but the supporting cast will no doubt attract a share of the attention.
Food vendors will be on hand to provide all your favorites from fish tacos to funnel cakes. Music from organized bands and street musicians will provide the festival’s soundtrack. Downtown shops and restaurants will be open, some with special deals for the day.
One event that will attract an audience is the Millstone Cruise-In, a classic car display that is sure to elicit “ooohhhs” and “aaahhhs” from those who appreciate vintage 1frmobiles.
And should you think you are seeing double at this year’s festival, don’t worry. You’ve probably just stumbled upon the Twins Contest. Sure to be a real crowd pleaser, the competition is open to identical twins – boys and girls – whether they are toddlers, teenagers, Gen Xers and Zers, or retirees on Social Security.
All identical twins are welcome to enter and there is no admission fee. There are, however, cash prizes for those the judges can’t tell apart….$250 for 1st place; $100 for 2nd place and $50 for 3rd place.
If you want to cheer on your favorite twins, judging will take place at 2:00 p.m.
Nothing ushers in fall like college football, and nothing is as eagerly anticipated as Homecoming Weekend where both current and former students (and just ordinary fans) gather to support the hometown team.
It all kicks off on October 24th with a parade that wends its way down Lancaster Avenue and Main Street, followed by a block party on Water Street with food trucks, local beer and wine purveyors and music from Faded Blue.
If you have the stamina, you might be able to sneak into the EKU Young Alumni (graduates from the last 15 years) Party at the Paddy Wagon on Main Street (9:00 – 11:00 p.m.) But don’t be surprised if someone asks to see your I.D.
Saturday, October 25th is game day, and it begins with tailgating in the Alumni Coliseum parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to game time at 3:00 p.m. when the Colonels take on the Tarleton State Texans from Stephenville, Texas.
We round out the October celebrations on the 25th with a 6:00 p.m. concert by country music great Easton Corbin at the Vine at Chenault Vineyards. The concert is the makeup date for the original July concert which had to be postponed. All tickets purchased for the July date will be honored at this concert.
The pre-party in the Vineyard’s Visitor Center will feature a free performance by the Backbeats from 3:00-5:00 p.m. That will leave time to have a glass of Chenault Vineyard’s award-winning wine before heading off to take your seat for the main event.
Corbin has had three extra months to practice, so he should be rocking out on such hits as “A Little More Country Than That,” “Roll With It,” and “I Can’t Love You Back.”
So, there you have it…..all the fun in store this October in Richmond – and we haven’t even talked about Halloween yet.
For more information about Richmond’s October calendar of events, go to visitrichmondky.com