(this is me saluting best friendship)

i have a growing contingent of non-richmonders who read this blog and this entry specifically is directed at you.  because, by not living in richmond, you are sacrificing some VERY SERIOUS FUN.

each year, richmond celebrates a tradition known as BEST FRIENDS DAY.  it’s part music festival, part drunken party, part scavenger hunt, but most importantly it’s a weekend when the main goal is to HANG OUT and BE AWESOME.  it’s one of those things that i think could only happen in richmond.

it’s been around as long as i’ve lived here, but it’s now in it’s 8th year.  the celebration begins this weekend.

so how does it work?  each year, hundreds of former richmonders and friends and generally awesome people descend on the city.  there are countless shows with awesome bands, plenty of parties, but the epic main event is held during the day at HADAD’S LAKE.

hadad’s lake is the sketchiest water park i could have ever imagined, located east of richmond in the middle of nowhere.  to add to the sketchiness, imagine 2000 dirty tattooed punk rock kids renting the place out..  now imagine that you can bring any possible alcoholic beverage to drink in any quantity as long as it’s not in a glass container.  i think you are starting to get the idea.  so basically, everyone spends the entire day boozing, swimming, paddleboating, jumping off a ropeswing, grilling, and being as rad as possible.  it’s seriously the best.

i would like to formally invite any and all blogreaders who don’t live in richmond to come drive down and experience the amazingness.  i will consider you to be my new best friend.

(this epic crowd consisted of maybe 1/3 of the attendees - i was too busy playing water volleyball to join)

(hadad’s lake!  yes, the water is greenish)

(bands play at the nearby pavilion - this is brainworms)