Chesterfield’s largest one-day event, ChesterFest, is gearing up for its biggest and most exciting Fest to date, featuring an evening concert by the Richmond Symphony.
The Richmond Symphony “Big Tent” concert will finish a long day of music including bluegrass, country, blues and jazz, all on the Big Tent stage on Saturday, Sept. 17.
“We are really excited about the opportunity to host the Richmond Symphony at ChesterFest,” says event manager Elliott Fausz. “It has always been a goal of ChesterFest to have a major musical act close out the day, and the Richmond Symphony is a perfect fit for our community.”
According to the Symphony’s executive director, David Fisk, the Big Tent series allows the Richmond Symphony to offer free outdoor concerts and serve tens of thousands of people a year, including the many education and community engagement programs.
The Symphony will be under the direction of Chia-hsuan Lin, but she has yet to settle on a program. The Symphony’s performance is sponsored in part by Chesterfield County. Bermuda District Supervisor Dorothy Jaeckle played a pivotal role in procuring a portion of the funding as part of a quality-of-life effort. Other major sponsors will be announced as they come on board.
“I think it is wonderful that the Richmond Symphony and Chester Community Association were able to coordinate the Big Tent event with ChesterFest, the biggest annual event in Chester, and what a great promotion for the Chesterfield Center for the Arts in Chester,” Jaeckle said.
Celebrating year 15 (not held in 2008), ChesterFest has become a mainstay in the Chester area. Thousands attend each year to enjoy music, arts and crafts booths, retail sellers, and information booths including faith groups and food, food, food.
Over the years, one area that families seem to flock to is the Kids Zone. Inflatables, stage acts, games, and many other things to do will keep junior busy while mom and dad take a break. And the Cherry Pie World Champion will be crowned once again this year. Fifteen participants will vie for the trophy.
ChesterFest began in 2001 as a community picnic, but grew to a major event, that local residents and those around the area wait for each year. The layout this year will be a bit different. The music will take place on the Big Stage on the Chester Library lawn. Booths will extend in almost every direction, 150 in total, including eight to 10 food vendors offering food for any taste.
Proceeds from the Richmond Symphony concert will benefit the Chesterfield Center for the Arts Foundation. As the Foundation continues to find funding for the operation of the Chesterfield Center for the Arts, construction of their new building is slated to begin sometime in the fall.
The Symphony concert will begin at about 6:30. In the interim. The music leading up the performance is expected to provide a unique experience for the area.
“Even though the symphony plays just 15 minutes north of Chester, a lot of folks from here have never had to opportunity to hear them live, and we’re glad that ChesterFest can be the venue for them,” said Fausz. “It’ll be a great cultural experience for Chester and a great way to introduce what the Chesterfield Center for Arts has to offer the community.”
