Concerts & Events in Bon Air

A parade of thoroughbreds approaches the starting gate, each steed jabbing the grass with its hooves as it prepares for the gun to sound. Meanwhile, from their seats in the grandstands or within the air-conditioned dining room, spectators get their first clear look at the pre-race procession, quickly making the final judgments (Which horse is the most physically imposing? Which one looks determined to win? Which jockey has the coolest hat?) they need before placing a wager. Finally, the gates swing open, and they're off.

Home of the Virginia Derby, Colonial Downs Racetrack upholds the age-old Southern tradition of horseracing with a pair of impressive tracks. Measuring at 1.25 miles, the dirt track is the second largest in the country—dwarfed only by Belmont Park—though most thoroughbred races take place on the Secretariat Turf Track, the widest grass track in all of North America. As Virginia's only site for pari-mutuel betting, Colonial Downs attracts droves of racing fans and wandering derby hats throughout the season. Once inside the gates, visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds from the outdoor grandstand or relax in one of Colonial Downs' club and suite seating options, most of which offer dining and betting services, TVs linked to off-track races, and unobstructed birds-eye views of either track outside.

Former professional driver and expert instructor Randy Baker and his team have been guiding drivers toward greatness for more than 20 years; past pupils include Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jeff and Ward Burton, and the shadowy pit mechanic known only as Racer X. At SpeedTech Auto Racing School, Randy combines a fleet of super-speedy rides—authentic, metal-bodied vehicles boasting 650-horsepower V-8 engines—with a serious emphasis on safety to prepare drivers for any mishap on the track. Gearheads, speed junkies, and people who still sleep in a racecar bed despite their adult children's protestations soak up Randy's knowledge during one of SpeedTech's many race programs, varying in length from 3 laps to more than 100. With the school's built-in HD video feeds, drivers can commemorate their laps or prove to the family car it's been cheating on them with the hotel's valet.

Teachers and doctors. Moms and sisters. The River City Rollergirls don't really care who you are, as long as you're ready to hit someone—and foster an environment that values diversity and gender equity in the process.

The skater- and volunteer-operated league sprouted in early 2006 as Richmond's first all-women's flat-track roller-derby association. At the start, the league featured just two teams—Poe's Punishers and the Uncivil Warriors—but has since expanded to include new members, including the Carytown Cadets, the Hollywood Undertakers, and the Jackson Wardens. All teams take falls and crack skulls as part of the Eastern region of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association. But off the track, players put away their growling game faces when participating in community-outreach programs.

Bubbles rise toward the surface of their glasses in a frothy frenzy while all around them oenophiles swirl and sip Central Virginian varietals and Richmond-area restaurants fill the air with the smoky scents of grilled fare. At the second annual Flavor – Beer, Wine, & Food Festival, this fever dream takes shape as more than 40 brews from beer-makers large and small await their fans. While an international team of brewing all-stars such as Yuengling, Sierra Nevada, Sapporo, and Stella Artois flaunt their elixirs, solo operators from James River Homebrewers also appear, answering questions about DIY-distilling and keeping a crowd of drunken yeast under control.

Between sips, guests might stop by the stations of local restaurants including The Halligan Bar and Grill, O'Toole's Restaurant and Pub, and Keagan's Irish Pub and Restaurant. There, bar fare sizzles on grills, waiting to line stomach caverns so that tasters can keep sampling.

In an annual event at the captivating World Heritage site, community members gather to taste local wines, listen to live music, and wander through Monticello’s restored vineyard, staterooms, and cellar. Representatives from nearby wineries fill glasses with samples of their signature varietals, while attendees can sip slowly on the estate’s West Lawn while soaking in views or nibbling on fruit and cheese.