Holiday Area: Richmond

Before You Go

Pay heed to a few tips before heading to Carytown to ensure a fun-filled festival experience. To avoid Richmond's steamy summer weather from taking a toll on the body and spirit, wear walking shoes and appropriate clothing. Pack water to keep you, your party and pets well hydrated. Plan to stop at one of the misting tents throughout the day for a quick cool down. Remember to slap on the sunscreen and wear a hat for sun protection. Finally, come hungry to enjoy the selection of festival foods.

Getting Around

All the music, feeding and shopping action takes place along Cary Street in the heart of the Carytown district. Watermelon Festival stages are located at each of the six intersections from Nansemond Street to Colonial Avenue. The main performance stage sits at the Colonial Avenue intersection. Multiple watermelon booths serving generous helpings of the honored fruit, and the Kids Zone, also sit along Cary Street. Vendor booths line the center of the thoroughfare allowing the throng of people to flow at an unhurried pace. Restrooms are centrally located at McCloy Street for nature's call.

Activities

Watermelon Festival is an event for the senses. It salutes the giant fruit with 3,000 melons sliced and served to festival participants. More than 20 food vendors dish out local taste sensations and world cuisine. As many as 60 musicians fill the air with a variety of tunes creating a lively backdrop for festival activities. Youngsters let loose at Kids Zone, a play area unmatched in size by any East Coast festival. Kid entertainment includes bouncies, games and mazes. Watermelon Festival stands out as a shopping extravaganza with more than 100 exhibitors and Carytown's eclectic array of shops, boutiques and restaurants offering festival deals.

More Fun

Carytown's signature Watermelon Festival is one of several events the district contributes to Richmond's recreation and entertainment calendar. Spring event highlights include the Craft Beer Festival, a showcase for Virginia brews, and Chalk Up the Town, an event dedicated to sidewalk art. Summer kicks off when local merchants present Carytown's annual daylong Sidewalk Sale and the Carytown 10K race. The Taste of Carytown Restaurant Week marks the September calendar with an invitation to experience district dining at its best.

Whether you're a resident or tourist of Richmond, Virginia, traveling by air is a convenient way to reach the city of about 210,000 residents, as of 2012. The Richmond International Airport sits on the southeast edge of the city and serves such carriers as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. The airport has a variety of parking options for travelers and those picking up travelers alike.

Richmond International Airport:

Richmond International Airport has been a fixture in Richmond since 1927 and each year, roughly 3 million travelers pass through its gates. The airport went through a sizable renovation project in 2007, increasing the size of its terminal by more than 150,000 square feet. By November of 2013, the airport will serve seven domestic air carriers, making Richmond International Airport a logical stopping point for those flying commercially not only to Richmond, but also Virginia Beach and Washington, D.C.

Parking Overview

Richmond International Airport has roughly 10,000 parking spaces available and a variety of options for whether you plan to visit the airport for a short duration to pick up a traveler or wish to leave your vehicle in an airport lot while you're out of town. The airport has four parking categories -- economy, daily, hourly and valet. The daily and hourly lots are within walking distance to the terminal, while those who use the economy lot can ride a free shuttle from the lot to the terminal. Valet parking is found at the terminal itself.

Lot Breakdown

The airport's daily parking option, which includes open-air and garage lots found across from the terminal, can accommodate 7,000 vehicles. Richmond International Airport's second-largest parking option, economy, can house nearly 3,000 vehicles and is found about half a mile from the terminal. The airport's hourly parking deck, found in the ground level of the daily parking garages, is designed for those who are visiting the airport briefly to drop off or pick up a passenger. If you prefer the convenience of valet parking, the airport suggests calling 804-226-3089 before meeting a valet attendant at the terminal's departure area.

Parking Prices

The lot you choose when parking at Richmond International Airport depends on your budget. If you wish to park an inexpensively as possible, the economy lot charges $7 per 24 hours, and $1 per hour fractional. Daily parking costs $12 per 24 hours and $3 per additional hour of use; hourly parking in the garage costs $24 per 24 hours and an additional $2 per hour fractional; if you're parked less than 60 minutes, it's free. Valet parking costs $20 for 24 hours and $2 per hour thereafter; as always, it's proper etiquette to tip the valet about $2 upon receiving your car.

Holiday Area

Richmond, VA Watermelon Festival