Safe Space RVA‘s Summerfest is coming to Diversity Richmond this weekend, and if you haven’t checked them out yet, this is a perfect opportunity. Safe Space RVA was founded in the past year by several local queer activists, makers, and small business owners, who put it together to be both a monthly community market and a safe community space in which they could offer support to “Black, Queer, Trans, and other underrepresented small businesses, artists, and organizations,” as it says on their website.
“We believe in and support Black Lives Matter, Racial justice, and supporting and affirming LGBTQ+ people through a network of community care,” Safe Space RVA says in a statement on their website. “This effort is trans-founded, and Black, trans, and queer-led. Come see what we’re all about!”
This weekend is a great time to do so, as they’re having their biggest event yet: SUMMERFEST. An all-day indoor/outdoor event taking place this Sunday, July 24, at Diversity Richmond, Summerfest is a nigh-overwhelming blend of a variety of different elements, all of which promise fun and exciting opportunities to interact, eat, shop, listen to music, check out some amazing art, and be part of a supportive community that is welcoming to all. What could be better?
The whole thing kicks off at noon on Sunday with a community market that will offer wares from over 50 local makers from “Richmond’s Black, brown, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, and other underrepresented communities.” There’ll also be live music from local artist clwdwlkr, a live mural painting by Nico Cathcart, food by Shakedown Eats and Jiji’s Frozen Custard, and a whole lot more.
At 4 pm, the event will transition into a food truck rally that goes on until 8 pm, featuring a variety of local businesses offering tasty treats. Intergalactic Tacos, Kudzu RVA, La Bete, Noah’s Rockin’ Buns, Hawks BBQ, Davvero Gelato, Karmalita’s, and of course Dayum This is My Jam (co-owned by Safe Space RVA co-founder Andy Waller) will all be on hand to satisfy any cravings you might have.
The Food Truck Rally portion of the day is a fundraiser for Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project (RRFP) — always an important cause, but especially so given the current terrifyingly restrictive climate around abortion rights and reproductive choice. There will also be a raffle for a $250 gift certificate to Salvation Tattoo.
So yeah — you should probably be there! It’s supposed to hit a hundred degrees this Sunday, but not to worry — the event will feature both indoor and outdoor spaces, so you’ll have opportunities to duck inside and cool off. Safe Space RVA does ask that all attendees wear masks unless you’re inside designated areas for eating and drinking, but it’s a small price to pay to keep yourself and everyone around you safe in this seemingly nevhttps://safespacerva.square.site/er-ending pandemic era (and I mean, not to be the bearer of bad news, but BA.5 is on the rise, so it’s important).
This event is free and open to the public, but you should definitely bring some cash regardless — between the many opportunities to support local businesses and the fact that the proceeds of the Food Truck Rally will go to RRFP, you can be sure your cash is going to a positive cause.
This event takes place from noon to 8 pm at Diversity Richmond, located at 1407 Sherwood Ave. For more info on this event, check out the facebook event page, or head to safespacerva.com. And tell them GayRVA sent you.
