Ed 410: Legal Retail Cannibis, Juneteenth Plans, Father’s Day gifts
Image Source: Jimmy Woo via Unsplash
Hello!
I simply *have not* been able to get enough coverage of the big wedding that happened over the weekend. No, no, not that wedding — rumor has it Taylor Swift has her eyes set on July 3 at Madison Square Garden.
But the newlywed Wrights have me cheesing just as hard!
ICYMI, locals Cierra Moody and MyShan Wright, longtime Richmond Flying Squirrels fans who attend about 40 home games each year, became the first couple to get married at CarMax Park after winning the team’s wedding contest. The ceremony carried extra meaning after the couple’s original 2024 wedding plans were paused following the death of Cierra’s father.
Nutzy and Nutasha were part of the wedding party, beloved Squirrels figure Todd “Parney” Parnell walked Cierra down the aisle, and the couple had their first dance on the field between innings. So, see what I mean? CHEESING!
Congrats and best wishes to these these absolute cuties 🥳
Keep scrolling for RVA’s latest social news, including interactive public art, THC bevs, ice cream sundaes, and more.
PODCAST
WEATHER
Wednesday: Partly cloudy; high of 89°, low of 71°
Thursday: Partly cloudy; high of 96°, low of 74°
Friday: Thundershowers; high of 99°, low of 70°
HAPPENINGS
Wednesday, 7 - 9 pm: GROOVIN’ IN THE GARDEN: EVERCLEAR
Thursday, 5 - 9 pm: JUNETEENTH AT HARDYWOOD
Friday, 3 - 5 pm: WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY
CITY GUIDES
1. CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH 2026 AT THESE LOCAL EVENTS
2. THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO RICHMOND’S PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS & GREEN SPACES
Image Source: Divya Williams
RICHMONDER TO KNOW
Divya Williams: This week, we’re giving you another personal meet-and-greet opp with the new faces you may be seeing at the end of our latest city guides. Divya is a Richmond explorer in search of the best bites, bevs, and beautiful views this city has to offer. She’s a Leo sun, Flying Squirrel rising. Find her at Pony Pasture with her dog Bean, sipping sauvy b on the Jardin patio, or enjoying a Cobra Kai at Jack Brown's (notch card in hand). Follow along @divwilliams.
THE LATEST
Image Source: Deeper Dive
Image Source: Ninja Kombucha
Image Source: Children’s Museum of Richmond
Image Source: Short Pump Town Center
SOCIAL NEWS
Big birthday celebrations have begun. Over the weekend, Richmond’s SailFest celebrated America’s 250th anniversary with a fireworks and drone show that lit up the sky above the James River at Rocketts Landing. The free, three-day fest featured tall ship tours, live music, historical exhibits, and family-friendly activities organized by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and the City of Richmond. City leaders reflected on Richmond’s complex history while looking ahead to the nation’s future, acknowledging both the region’s Indigenous heritage and its role in the history of slavery. Don’t forget: 250th celebrations continue as IllumiNATION happens next week from June 25 to June 28. (WTVR, VMHC)
Speaking of the good ol’ US of A, over the last few days, The Richmonder has put together a three-part flag series exploring the history and symbolism behind local flags. Its latest and final installment covers Richmond’s city flag, which was adopted in 1993 to replace an earlier design that included Confederate imagery. The current flag features a faceless batteau boatman, representing the many anonymous workers who helped shape the city’s history, along with nine stars symbolizing the states that were once part of Virginia. Some historians believe the flag could do more to acknowledge the contributions it’s meant to rep. You can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here. (The Richmonder)
A Deeper Dive deeper dive. Deeper Dive, a new small-batch ice cream shop is now open in Monroe Ward, bringing simple, high-quality flavors and a personal touch to downtown Richmond. Owner Joseph Gleeson, a longtime chef whose career has taken him across the country, says the shop was inspired by his desire to build something for his family after getting sober and stepping away from the restaurant industry's demanding lifestyle. The menu features up to 10 rotating flavors made with minimal artificial ingredients, along with sundaes, floats, sandwiches, and housemade toppings like brownies and cookies. Joseph wants the shop to be approachable, affordable, and a place where customers can relax and have fun. (Richmond magazine)
For the kids. The Children’s Museum of Richmond just launched its $10 mil Dream Big campaign to transform the downtown space with new exhibits and updated learning spaces designed around play-based education. The project marks the museum’s first major reno since 2000 and aims to expand educational opportunities, improve accessibility, and create more engaging experiences for children and caregivers. The first round of new exhibits debuted earlier this week and is now open to the public, and the full project is expected to wrap up in 2027. (Children’s Museum of Richmond)
Color us SO excited. Short Pump Town Center is hosting Los Trompos, a free, interactive public art installation in its Main Plaza through July 12. The installation features large, colorful woven sculptures that folks can sit on, spin, and interact with, turning the artwork into a hands-on experience. Los Trompos is designed as a public, accessible attraction with no ticket required, encouraging visitors to engage with art in a playful outdoor setting. Twist our arms! (Short Pump Town Center)
There’s no fighting this. The local market for hemp-derived THC beverages is growing, this time with a launch from Ninja Kombucha. Founder and owner Brett Nobile is expanding beyond kombucha into THC-infused drinks as part of a broader wave of “better-for-you” and alcohol-alternative beverages gaining traction in Virginia. Says the kombucha co itself, “Made with apple cider vinegar, ginger, and a touch of honey, our Hemp-Infused Switchel is a low-dose social beverage that balances bright, tangy flavor with the calm clarity of full-spectrum hemp extract.“ (Richmond BizSense)
MORE LINKS YOU’LL WANT TO CLICK
🌸 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is hosting a Free Community Day this Friday, June 19, to honor and celebrate Juneteenth. (Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden)
🌱 Virginia’s legal retail cannabis market will open July 1, 2027. (WTVR)
Image Source: Ardent Craft Ales
Weekly Giveaway
Ardent Craft Ales
Father’s Day happens this Sunday, June 21, and we heard someone say a great gift could be a vintage stein paired with a pack of local craft beer. Now *we’re* saying, if you like that idea, the pack of local craft beer should be something like Lawnmower from Ardent Craft Ales.
This week, we’re giving away a $25 gift card to Ardent! Want another rec for the occasion? The spot’s Fresh Cut takes the easy drinkability of Lawnmower and gives it a twist with the addition of grapefruit. Just saying.
To enter, tell us: Who is the youngest person ever to have a charting song on Billboard, because she’s credited on her father’s song Glory?
Last week: Congratulations to last edition’s winner, Caroline B, for winning the Gold Lion Community Cafe giveaway!
Image Source: Shop Made in VA
Member Perks
Shop Made in VA
If you’re looking for other great local gifts, Shop Made in VA has you covered, too. From apparel, to embroidery, to art, there’s something for any father figure in your life.
As a member of The Richmond Experience, you get 10% off online and in-store purchases! Just tell them at checkout you’re an RVAx member.
What’s trending from RVAx
👇
SAVE THE DATE
👋
Hey, new members!
We’d like to welcome 8 new members this week: Tessa B, Linda W, Bruce P, Nicole F, Kevin B, Chandler K, Jacqueline H, and Annie H, we’re so glad you’re here!
It takes a village, so let us know if you have any questions, thoughts, feedback, tips, or recs! Thanks for reading edition 410 of The Weekly Insider.
Chat again soon!
- The Richmond Experience
Thank you to Bar West for powering this edition of The Weekly Insider from The Richmond Experience!
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
