There is plenty to keep you entertained, educated and civically engaged this week in Richmond, from an annual parade celebrating Latin American independence to the final summer street music festival to a seminar on fall gardening tips.
For more, see our events roundup, which includes activities through September, and our list of ongoing things to do in Richmond (many of which are free). You can also visit Richmondside on Fridays for a list of upcoming live music shows.
- What would you do with $1 million dollars?
- Final concert of the summer in Point Richmond
- A weekend of roller derby at the Richmond auditorium
- Fiestas parade honors Latin American independence
- Richmond block parties feature music, food
- Take the ferry to Giants baseball games this weekend
- El Cerrito Historical Society celebrates its 50th anniversary; honors Japanese flower families
- Hawaiian theme at this month’s SS Red Oak Victory pancake breakfast
- Get some fall gardening tips at local nursery
- Look for birds in the Hilltop mall neighborhood
- El Cerrito’s best businesses to be honored
- Related stories
What would you do with $1 million dollars?
How would you spend $1 million to promote equity and address economic and health disparities in Richmond?
Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia is holding a series of town halls to find out just that. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is divvying up $5 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act among the county’s supervisorial districts.
Gioia has scheduled three town halls in Richmond to discuss how residents want to spend their portion of the Contra Costa Community Impact Fund.
The meeting schedule for Richmond is: Tue., Sept. 23, at 5 p.m.; Mon., Oct. 6, at 1 p.m.; and Sat., Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. at the RYSE Center, 3939 Bissell Ave.
Other meetings will held: Tue., Sept. 30, at 6 p.m. at Pinole City Hall, 2131 Pear St.; Thur., Oct. 2, at 5:30 p.m. at St. Peter CME Church, 5324 Cypress Ave., El Cerrito; and Thur., Oct. 9, at 6 p.m. at San Pablo City Hall, 1000 Gateway Ave.
Residents can also participate in these forums via Zoom. You can also take an online survey.
Final concert of the summer in Point Richmond
The last in a series of summer street parties will play out in Point Richmond on Friday.
At the free musical extravaganza, The Rubinoos will take the stage at 5:30 p.m., followed by the “toe-tapping and knee-jerkin’ “ worthy music of The Lemonhammer at 6:45 p.m. The annual summer concert series is sponsored by Point Richmond Music.
Local restaurants are open during the free event, and there are food pop-up booths. Art from The Arts of Point Richmond will be displayed, and there are kid-friendly activities such as face painting. Attendees often dance in the streets or pop out a picnic on a lawn chair or blanket.
Point Richmond summer street party, Fri., Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m., Park Place and Washington Avenue.
A weekend of roller derby at the Richmond auditorium
Teams from six leagues will compete against two Bay Area squads in a full weekend of roller derby matches.
The Bay Area Derby’s Golden Bowl X Tournament will feature three in-person contests at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium. There will also be online only games you can watch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The in-person competition kicks off on Fri., Sept. 12, at 6 p.m. with a battle between the Angel City Shore Shots and the Bay Area All Stars.
The action continues at 4 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 13, when the Bay Area All Stars take on SoCal Derby. That will be followed at 6 p.m. by a match between the San Francisco Rolling Dead and the Oakland Outlaws.
A one-day general admission pass is $50 plus fees. A two-day tournament pass is $75 plus fees. Live streaming passes are $20 plus fees.
Golden Bowl X Roller Derby Tournaments, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 12-14, Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza.
Fiestas parade honors Latin American independence
A colorful celebration will wind through the streets of Richmond and San Pablo this weekend.
The annual Fiestas Patrias Parade honors the tradition of independence days in Latin American countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Chile, Costa Rica, Brazil and Belize.
The celebration features floats, music, dance troupes, youth groups and classic cars. Community members line the streets to cheer and dance.
The parade begins at 24th Street and Barrett Avenue in Richmond and travels up 23rd Street before ending at Church Lane and San Pablo Avenue in San Pablo. (Transportation will be provided back to Richmond.)
Fiestas Patrias Parade, Sat., Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to noon in Richmond and San Pablo.
Richmond block parties feature music, food
Residents of two Richmond neighborhoods will be hosting gatherings this weekend.
The Richmond Annex Block Party will include a shared meal, music and activities. There will also be opportunities to volunteer and get involved in the community.
In addition, the North and East 31st Annual Picnic will feature a potluck as well as a hot dog barbecue. Live music and a children’s play zone are also part of the festivities.
The free events are hosted by Neighbor-to-Neighbor, a program under the governor’s California Volunteers project.
Richmond Annex Block Party, Sat., Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., location given out at registration.
North and East 31st Annual Picnic, Sat., Sept. 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., location given at registration.
Take the ferry to Giants baseball games this weekend
You can take a ferry from Richmond to Oracle Park for the Saturday and Sunday games between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The San Francisco Bay Ferry, which normally only travels between Richmond and the San Francisco Ferry Building, has been offering direct service to selected games this summer.
The baseball game ferries depart from the Richmond Terminal, 1453 Harbour Way S., and arrive at Pier 48 in San Francisco. It’s about a 12-minute walk to the ballpark from there.
The ferries depart from Richmond 90 minutes before the start of that day’s game. They leave Pier 48 30 minutes after the game. The excursion across the bay takes about 30 minutes.
One-way fares are $10.75 for adults and $8.25 for seniors and children 5 to 17 years old; kids younger than 5 can ride for free.
Baseball game ferry tickets must be purchased in advance. (Clipper cards are not accepted for this route.)
El Cerrito Historical Society celebrates its 50th anniversary; honors Japanese flower families
Members of the El Cerrito Historical Society will celebrate its 50th year with a party this weekend.
The free Golden Jubilee Celebration will feature games, refreshments and special activities. Displays and films will highlight Japanese flower growers who built a thriving floral industry in the area, only to be imprisoned in internment camps during World War II.
“Learn how the community rebuilt their lives and livelihoods after the war and how their legacy continues to shape El Cerrito today,” said historical society members.
Historical Society Golden Jubilee Celebration, Sat., Sept. 13, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Hana Gardens, 10860 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito
Hawaiian theme at this month’s SS Red Oak Victory pancake breakfast
You can listen to Hawaiian tunes while enjoying a full pancake breakfast aboard an historic ship.
The Tiki Pancake Breakfast on the SS Red Oak Victory will feature music from the band Haopinaka as well as a contest to determine the best Hawaiian Aloha shirts.
The activities will be accompanied by a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and apple slices as well as coffee, orange juice and water.
Tours of the World War II ship will also be available. The radio room will be open for those who would like to send messages around the world.
The cost is $20 plus fees for adults and $5 plus fees for children 8 years and younger. Mimosas can be purchased by guests 21 years and older.
The Red Oak Victory is the last surviving ship of the 747 vessels built at the Richmond shipyards during the second World War.
The Tiki Pancake Breakfast, Sun., Sept. 14, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., SS Red Oak Victory, 1337 Canal Blvd.
Get some fall gardening tips at local nursery
You can get prepared for some fall gardening at a workshop at a Richmond nursery.
Curious Flora is hosting a summer-to-fall garden tour where practical gardening techniques will be discussed. Topics include ways to extend blooms and strategic plant placement to maximize space.
The free seminar will be led by fine gardener Rose Spalding.
Summer garden tour, Sun., Sept. 14, 1 p.m., Curious Flora, 740 Market Ave.
Look for birds in the Hilltop mall neighborhood
The Golden Gate Bird Alliance is sponsoring a hike for bird watchers near Hilltop mall.
The bird watching hike will be held along the paved trail that circles Hilltop Lake Park.
Birds that are expected to make an appearance include woodpeckers, wrens, shorebirds, hummingbirds and raptors.
The stroll is free, but advanced registration is recommended as there is a maximum of 20 participants allowed.
Golden Gate Bird Alliance hike, Wed., Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Hilltop Lake Park, Richmond Parkway and Lakeside Drive.
El Cerrito’s best businesses to be honored
A spotlight will be shining on El Cerrito’s best businesses at a celebration next week.
The Best of El Cerrito 2025 will feature music, food and displays honoring the highlighted businesses.
The annual gathering is sponsored by the El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce, which selects the winners after receiving input from the community.
The categories include Best Fitness Classes, Best Real Estate Agent and Best Donut Shop.
Tickets are $12 plus fees. Music will be provided by vocalist Courtney Kelly.
Best of El Cerrito 2025, Thur., Sept. 18, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., El Cerrito Honda, 11755 San Pablo Ave.
