The Richmond Good Old Days Festival is back again Sept. 6-9, 2018, and it promises to live up to their reputation.
At this September festival, which always falls the weekend after Labor Day, families will find great midway rides, exciting events and the largest marching musical parade in Michigan.
The midway opens at 5 p.m. Thursday, and following that is the Classic Car Parade and Cruise at 6 p.m. on Main Street. Opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. at Bailey Park, including the Little Miss Richmond contest at 7:15 p.m. See which kindergarten or first-grade girls will be representing their home town for the 2018-19 school year.
Friday, the merchant and vendor sales begin at 1 p.m. all around Beebe Street Park, and the Richmond Historic Village will also be open. Find strawberry shortcakes and fall mums for sale.
The carnival opens at 4 p.m. Friday and then, at 6:30 p.m. on Main Street, watch the Outrageous Outhouse and at 7 p.m. will be the Figure “8” Derby.
Saturday the merchant and vendor sales continue all day, and the singles horseshoe tournament, which costs $5 for registration, begins at 10 a.m.
Then at 11 a.m., the Children’s Parade will head down Main Street, followed by the Pingpong Ball Blowout, where children 10 and under can collect the pingpong balls released onto Main Street, which can be redeemed for prizes all over town.
Children 12 and under can participate in the games at the park 12:45-2 p.m. for free, as well as the sidewalk chalk art contest at the same time. Throughout the day, find a petting zoo, corn hole tournament, fire department waterball contest and so much more. End the day with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the vendors are back and there’s a Classic and Antique Car Show at 10 a.m. There’s also a Strawberry Shortcake Social from noon to dusk. Sunday’s highlight is The Great Michigan Parade, beginning at 1:30 p.m., and it will be full of marching bands, dancers and plenty of candy for kids to collect. The fest has been recognized in the past for having Michigan’s best small town parade, according to organizers. It runs on a new route, along Main Street from Ridge to Mary Street in 2018.
Most of these events are free (it doesn’t get much better than that!), but midway wristbands and other activities do cost a fee. Hours for the midway are as follows:
- Thursday: 5-11 p.m.
- Friday: 4 p.m.-midnight
- Saturday: 11 a.m.-midnight
- Sunday: noon-5 p.m.
For more information on the 2018 Richmond Good Old Days Festival – and for details on other family friendly things to do this weekend – visit the Metro Parent calendar.
This post was originally published in 2016 and is updated regularly.
