Richmond Symphony to Join Chester Community Association for 15th Annual ChesterFest, 9/17

August 3, 2016 - Richmond, Virginia The Richmond Symphony's Big Tent is moving to Chester Village Green for the 15th Annual ChesterFest. This will be the first collaboration between The Chester Community Association and the Richmond Symphony for the free, all-day event. Festivities begin at 10:00am and will feature the Richmond Symphony, arts and craft vendors, food, contests, additional live music, and family activities before the Symphony closes out the day.

In addition to ChesterFest's 15th anniversary year, this year's festival also celebrates the official groundbreaking for the new Chesterfield Center for the Arts. All net proceeds from this event will support the Center.

"The Chesterfield Center for the Arts Foundation is delighted that the Richmond Symphony is bringing the 'Big Tent' and the entire symphony to the future art center site just before the start of construction. The free event will help bring future art center patrons to the Chester Village Green, some for the first time, for a real preview of things to come. It's something that will truly set the tone for the impact the whole region will experience once the Center is up and running in the not too distant future. We really appreciate the Symphony's help in creating awareness and giving credence to the facility" said Hugh Cline, Chesterfield Center for the Arts Foundation, Chairman.

The Chester Community Association's annual event is the largest one day festival in Chesterfield, drawing thousands of patrons each year. The event kicks off with the annual dog show followed by the World Cherry Pie Eating Championship featuring over 15 contestants vying for the cherry pie-eating-world prize. The Kid's Zone will provide a half acre of activities including performances, age-appropriate rides, face painting, a petting zoo and enough fun to keep kids entertained for hours. The Richmond Symphony will perform under the Symphony's Big Tent at 7:00pm.

"The Richmond Symphony is delighted to be a partner in the 15th Annual ChesterFest, and to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new arts center" said Executive Director David J. L. Fisk. "We are honored to play our role in this important moment for the county and hope everyone will come out and enjoy this exciting event!"

"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" said Bermuda District Supervisor Dorothy Jaeckle.

"We are really excited about the opportunity to host the Richmond Symphony at ChesterFest. 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. 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" said Elliott Fausz, Business Manager for the Village News.

Organizations, merchants, and vendors who wish to participate in ChesterFest should go to chesterfest.org to complete an interest form.

Sponsor, business partnership and individual support opportunities are also available. For more information, please contact Kathryn Pullam at 804.788.4717 x114 or kpullam@richmondsymphony.com.

For more information and to view the full list of activities and events, visit chesterfest.org or richmondsymphony.com.