ADSVA's Art Deco Weekend
begins in Richmond September 26th, 2025
This year our theme is 1925 as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the publication of The Great Gatsby.
FRIDAY
Cocktails at the Jefferson
Please join us at the Lemaire Restaurant bar in the historic Jefferson Hotel from 7-9 p.m. for a welcome cocktail hour (two hours to be precise!) to help kick off the Art Deco Weekend festivities. It will be a great way to meet up with old friends and make new ones ahead of the next day's main event. No-host bar and food available.
SATURDAY
The Gatsby Afternoon Picnic
Celebrating 100 Years of The Great Gatsby
9/25/2025 UPDATE: Unfortunately Mother Nature is not cooperating as rain is in the forecast for the entire weekend. Are we going to let a few rain drops spoil our fun? NO, NO WE SAY! So, we'll be moving the ADSVA's Gatsby Afternoon Picnic indoors! Our venue will be the Dependency, a building separate from Wilton House where the restrooms are located. We'll spread out over the expanse of floor in their event space as if we were outdoors on the lawn. And we'll still have all of the planned shenanigans except the lawn games. Daisy's Vintage Closet, fantastic live music from Ramblin' Roots, and all of the planned contests will still go on as planned! See you Saturday!
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In our enduring partnership with Wilton House Museum, this year's Gatsby Afternoon Picnic will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025. The theme this year is the novel we all know and love.
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We of course encourage 1920s attire and elaborate picnic displays. Come dressed for the occasion and transport yourself to a simpler time.
Entertainment will include:
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The 1920s jazz sounds of Ramblin' Roots
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An open dance floor for all guests to Charleston and otherwise dance the day away
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This year's contests will feature Best Dressed, Best Picnic Display, Best Pie, the Charleston Contest, and a return of the very popular Musical Chairs!
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Self-guided tours of Wilton House including their exhibit The Women Who Saved Wilton about how the house was saved and moved in the 1930s.
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Picnic games such as ring toss, croquet, and more!
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A caricaturist to memorialize the event for you
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Shop at Daisy's Vintage Closet
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And of course, the fabulous vintage road warriors of the Old Dominion Model A Ford Club will be in attendance.
Admission is $25/$20 for ADSVA Members. Advance tickets will be available for purchase beginning August 1st.
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https://www.eventbrite.com/e/13th-annual-gatsby-afternoon-picnic-tickets-1505333736729
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Admission will also be sold the day of the event via card or Venmo only. No Cash.
SUNDAY
Choose Your Own Adventure
There are lots of artsy deco things to do around Richmond before you head home on Sunday. Below is a sampling:​
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Take a walking tour of Scott's Addition to view some examples of Richmond's Art Deco and Moderne buildings, while sampling some of Richmond's finest micro brews.
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Visit the VMFA to view Frida: Beyond the Myth and have high tea at Floris (reservations required)
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​Go vintage clothes shopping at Halcyon and Bygones and have brunch at Can Can Brasserie.
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Take a motor tour of the city and surrounding area. There is a list of Art Deco buildings at Virginia Art Deco on Wikipedia.
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