Virago Alley’s mission is to provide an accessible and inclusive platform for the exploration, education and preservation of historical martial arts and artisan trades.
Save the Date!
Saturday, August 2nd!
Virago Alley, the non-profit behind The Richmond Renaissance Faire, brings history to life on the stunning grounds of Agecroft Hall & Gardens. Warriors In Bloom is a celebration of bold women who dared to defy conventions, changing history in the process.
Virago Alley seeks to reclaim the word “virago”—once used to scorn women of strength—to invite others to feel empowered in spite of the expectations that society has placed on them. A virago is traditionally a woman who leads, who resists, who dares. This event is not just a tribute, but a declaration of identity to honor viragos past and inspire those yet to come.
This immersive event spotlights legendary figures such as Joan of Arc, Tomyris, Lagertha, The Dahomey Amazons, Boudica, Rani Durgavati and the fierce pirate duo Anne Bonny and Mary Read, through a mix of performances, lectures, storytelling, crafting activities, and an open-air artisan market. Enjoy local vendors, historically inspired fare, and a variety of family-friendly activities in a setting that perfectly blends past and present.
Warriors In Bloom is presented by Virago Alley in partnership with Agecroft Hall & Gardens and Richmond Moon Market.
In remembrance to these brave women, tickets will go on sale on Joan of Arc Feast Day, Friday, May 30th.
More details to come.
RVA Ren Faire Fundraising Kick Off 2025
Special thanks to Making Hannah for this great compilation of behind the scenes footage from the volunteer craft night the night before the kick off, as well as everything that she could capture in the one-day faire fundraiser event held during Richmond's First Friday’s Art Walk.
Founder & Presenter of:
The Richmond Renaissance Faire
Virago Alley, NFP serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, skill development and community building, uniting individuals as well as existing groups who share a passion for these timeless disciplines.
As part of our mission, we have created an all-volunteer committee to plan & fundraise for Richmond’s first Renaissance Faire. This March 7th fundraising launch allowed us to plant the seeds and organically build our network of collaborators, partners and supporters so that our official multi-day festival in 2026 will fully represent our city of art & history lovers and creators. We plan to achieve this by not only creating a faire that is truly "Richmond", but one that also represents 13th-17th century artisans from across the world. Together we can build this one-of-a-kind historical multi-cultural festival into a beloved annual Richmond tradition.
