Ongoing and special events in April: River District Canal Cruises; Thursday Fresh Market; Saturday Growers’ Bohemian Market; Sunday Vintage Market; Downtown Loft Tour; Civil War Day at Historic Tredegar; Martinis for Mutts; Earth Day Celebration and James River Fish Festival; 9th Annual James River Outdoor Coalition Gear & Equipment Swap; Canal Boats and Cobblestones Walking Tour.

Ongoing Events in April:

River District Canal Cruises

(Spring Season April 4th –June 8th)
Canal Turning Basin - Dock and 14th Streets, Friday–Saturday Noon–7pm, Sunday Noon–5pm, $5 adults, $4 seniors & children 5-12, age 4 and under free
40-minute historically narrated tours of the James River & Kanawha Canal along the River District’s Canal Walk. Tour begins every hour on the hour. Private charters also available. For more information call 804-649-2800 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.

Thursday Fresh Market

(Opens April 17th)
17th Street Farmers’ Market, Free admission, 8:30am-2pm
Farm fresh and homegrown straight from the region’s farms to your home. Homemade and handcrafted right here by highly artistic Richmonders. For more information call 804-646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.

Saturday Growers’ Bohemian Market

(Opens April 19th)
17th Street Farmers’ Market, Free admission, 9am-4pm
Farm fresh and homegrown straight from the region’s farms to your home. Homemade and handcrafted right here by highly artistic Richmonders. For more information call 804-646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.

Sunday Vintage Market

(Opens April 20th)
17th Street Farmers’ Market, Free admission, 9am-4pm
Antiques, collectibles, jewelry and fine arts and crafts. For more information call 804-646-0310 or visit www.17thstreetfarmersmarket.com.

Special Events in April:

Downtown Loft Tour

Saturday, April 5th
Purchase tickets at LaDifference (125 S. 14th St.) or online at www.venturerichmond.com, $20 in advance
Seeing is Believing! Buy a one day “all access pass” to tour Downtown’s most exclusive, private residences. Venture down for the first annual tour of 13 lofts and condos in Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Manchester, Broad Street and Jackson Ward. For more information call 804-788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.

Civil War Day at Historic Tredegar

Saturday, April 5th
The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar (500 Tredegar St.) 10am-5pm, Free admission
Cannon firing and period music are just a few of the highlights of the 11th annual Civil War Day at Historic Tredegar Ironworks. Living history demonstrations are scheduled throughout the day. Young people can play 19th century children’s games and learn to drill like Civil War soldiers from the North and South. Learn more about U.S. Colored Troops, and talk one-on-one with living history interpreters and “roving reporters” as they tour the campus. Buz and Ned’s Barbeque will be serving lunch. For more information call 804-780-1985, ext. 10 or visit www.civilwarcenter.com.

Martinis for Mutts

Thursday, April 10th
Element Lounge, 119 N. 18th St., $10 donation, 6-9pm
Cheap martinis all night, light buffet, a raffle and silent auction. Great music, mingling and merriment all for a good cause! $10 donation at the door benefits AARF (Animal Adoption Rescue Foundation). For more information call 804-327-9948 or see www.aarf.org.

Earth Day Celebration and James River Fish Festival

Saturday, April 19th
South side of the Mayo Bridge (14th Street) at the James River and Flood Wall, Free admission, 10am-4pm
Peace, Love and Planet Earth - this year’s event encourages Richmonders to make every day Earth Day. Enjoy food, art, dance, environmental exhibits, earth-friendly goods, plenty of kid’s activities and live music! The health of the Earth is within everyone’s mission! Free parking at Plant Zero and Art Works (4th and Hull St.). For more information call 804-291-1400 or see www.earthdayrichmond.org.

9th Annual James River Outdoor Coalition Gear & Equipment Swap

Saturday, April 26th
17th Street Farmers’ Market, Free admission, 9am-1pm
Get great deals on gently used kayaks, canoes, tents, bicycles, hiking & climbing gear, etc. Silent auction with gift certificates from local restaurants, vendors and more! Proceeds to benefit JROC’s effort to maintain and improve the James River environs. For more information call 804-320-6131.

Canal Boats and Cobblestones Walking Tour

Sunday, April 27th
Meet at the James Center Clock Tower at 10th & E. Cary Streets, $10 fee, $9 in advance, $5 for History Center members, 2-4pm
Explore the architectural treasures and preservation efforts along the James River and the Canal, which was developed in the 1840’s in order to bypass river rapids. Includes Shockoe Slip, the Turning Basin and the River District. For more information call 649-0711, option 4.

* Schedule Subject to Change