Family Area

Presented by the Children’s Museum of Richmond, The 2025 Richmond Folk Festival Family Area is open Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12.

It’s a Dinosaur Delight with CMoR and friends in the Family Area!

Create your own dino version of our iconic bag hat, or stop by the hand painting station to embellish yourself. In the Discover area, become an archeologist and dig for dinosaur bones and fossils or learn some interesting dinosaur facts. In the Build Area, design a LEGO brick dinosaur or habitat. If you have lots of energy, Soccer Shots is the spot for you or if you desire a quieter option, our friends at ASCV will have a sensory zone with several engaging Dino activities. City Singers Youth Choirs & Music Orchard Richmond will provide hands-on percussion exploration of Jurassic proportions. No matter how you like to play, there is something for everyone at this year’s Family Area presented by the Children’s Museum of Richmond.

Performers on the Family Area Stage

Featured

Høly River

Richmond, VA
Folk

The music of Høly River carries the message of humanity’s need for reconnection with the earth. Mystically political and wholeheartedly grassroots this DIY band finds themselves playing on large festival stages as well as backyard fire pits of intentional communities around the world.

Jonathan Paige Brown Jr.

Richmond, VA
Americana

Jonathan Paige Brown Jr. is a rising star in Virginia's vibrant music scene, known for his captivating vocals, soulful melodies, and heartfelt lyrics. Drawing inspiration from Americana, Roots, Blues and Pop, Jonathan infuses his own unique style into each of his performances, creating a sound that is both timeless and contemporary. Jonathan's music resonates with listeners on a deeply emotional level: With a warm voice and genuine stage presence, Jonathan invites listeners into an intimate musical experience.

Prabir

Richmond, VA
Rock and Roll/Indian Fusion

Fusing the ancient sounds of India with the contemporary western soundscape has been Prabir's mission while making music. The songwriter has been creating his blend of Raag-rock from Richmond, VA with many of the region's finest musicians. For the Richmond Folk Fest Prabir's performance will be an exploration of ancient Indian Raags with a mridanga accompaniment.

Sing the Blues & Play the Bones with Jackie Merritt

Hampton, Virginia
acoustic blues

The splendid duo, Jackie & Resa, brings a distinctive blend of creativity to the world of acoustic blues. Both well-accomplished musicians, they merge their talents to create a captivating sound, paying homage to the rich blues tradition. Jackie & Resa will teach festivalgoers of all ages how to play the bones—but not real animal bones—and sing the blues at the Family Area Stage of the Richmond Folk Festival.

Webley Twizzle Project

Central Virginia
Parlor Folk trio

The Webley Twizzle Project is a new instrumental parlor folk trio, born in a love of street performing, that spices up its act with prize-winning, foot-operated puppets. The band plays both modern and traditional acoustic music, with enough swing, rags, novelty and original tunes thrown in to bring a classy and smooth musical experience to any street, stage or sitting room…with the puppets being a big hit with kids of all ages!

View the full Family Area Stage Schedule

Saturday, October 11

12:15 – 1:00 Prabir (presented by JAMinc)

1:15 – 2:00 Sing the Blues & Play the Bones with Jackie Merritt
2:15 – 3:00 Webley Twizzle Project (presented by JAMinc)
3:15 – 4:00 Beat Ya Feet Academy (beat ya feet dance)
4:15 – 5:00 Sing the Blues & Play the Bones with Jackie Merritt

Sunday, October 12

12:15 – 1:00 Jonathan Paige Brown Jr. (presented by JAMinc)

1:15 – 2:00 Sing the Blues & Play the Bones with Jackie Merritt
2:15 – 3:00 The Sinquah Family (Hopi hoop dance)
3:15 – 4:00 Holy River (presented by JAMinc)
4:15 – 5:00 Sing the Blues & Play the Bones with Jackie Merritt

Fun activities await in the family area!

Create

CMoR’s iconic Bag Hats are back with a dinosaur focus- We can’t wait to see all the creative versions that will emerge!

Discover

Learn interesting dino facts as you uncover dinosaur bones in our archeological dig area or build your own snap together dinosaur

Build

Festival goers can build a dinosaur or a cool habitat for our prehistoric friends using LEGO or DUPLO bricks.

Hand painting + Yard Games

Hand painting, gross motor activities and free play

A passport to guide visitors will be a means of counting and prizes will be awarded to completers who visit.

Family Area Partners

City Singers

Join City Singers Youth Choirs & Music Orchard Richmond at the Percussion Exploration Tent where your little dino can thunder on the drums and more! Explore instruments and songs from around the world while discovering how words like "Jurassic", "stegosaurus", "paleontologist", and "fossil" can be used to make roaring music.

Autism Society of Central Virginia

Step into the ASCV’s sensory-friendly zone for hands-on, calming activities designed with all abilities in mind. Craft your own Dino Cool-Down Fan to help beat the festival heat with mindful breathing, or create a fossilized pasta dino using clay pasta. Feeling like a dino detective? Test your prehistoric knowledge in the Guess That Dino Game and see if you can match clues to the right dinosaur! Whether you need a break or a hands-on challenge, ASCV has a space for you.

Soccer Shots

Soccer Shots will be there to provide plenty of fun for the kiddos (ages 2-10)! Inflatable soccer field will be there to provide a space for safe play!