March 15, 2020. The last day of the “Before Time”. In the days coming after, companies would send their employees home, schools would close, flights would be canceled, stay-at-home orders would be made - 'for a few weeks at most'.
Whether it was a job, a relationship, a living situation - Covid changed a lot of people. At the same time wellness exploded into a multi-billion dollar industry. In the years after, as covid started dying down, people began looking for relief, for community, and avenues for healing.
In 2021, near the start of (another spiral of) my journey, I discovered that it took a lot of legwork to find the wellness community in Richmond. There were so many offerings - yoga, acupuncture, reiki, sensory-deprivation tanks, breathwork, authentic relating, SUP sound baths, Full Moon sound baths, drum circles, etc. - but no central place to find out where and when they were. Someone had to be constantly scrolling and following the right accounts to see what was going on. I figured there must be other people doing the same but ultimately giving up. There was incredible pain out there; tragic family loss, virtual schools, Zoom, hospitals overflowing, social distancing, protests... we have collectively been through some true challenges in the last 5 years.
In the fall of 2023, I got a download. While at the grocery store, I suddenly saw an image in my head; an event full of people, where group classes were being held, with a separate stage for presentations, vendors selling holistic products, and live local music playing all day. Proudly alcohol-free. Then a voice told me the time of year and who to include and then, just like Kevin Costner in the classic 90's movie 'Field of Dreams', I heard clearly 'if you build it, they will come.'
I envisioned a celebration of *local* wellness, a platform for alternative voices to share legitimate practice methods to those living in their area; not some big name flown in from a different coast or country. There is enough incredible, authentic, and intentional talent already in humble service to this city and its people, more than capable of providing compelling expertise, leading group classes, selling their products, or showcasing their musical talent. Why not put together an entire day where they can all come together?
I settled on the name Rest Fest and set about combining Richmond's exceptional wellness talent with those in search of their services. And then it happened: the inaugural Rest Fest occurred on May 4, 2024 at the Cardinal in Moseley, VA.
Ultimately 110 people trusted me and the other volunteers (shoutout to Melanie Glick and Daniel Klein, among many others) to support and celebrate this day of wellness. There were 7 group classes featuring sound baths, yoga, transformational breathwork, among others. Presentations included ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, shadow work, and a discussion panel on responsible plant medicine integration. Vendors sold their wares to those holding yoga mats and NA cocktails were poured. The day was cool and misty like Mt. Hood, Oregon. The place held the relaxed air of a retreat and a festival put together.
On April 26 and 27, Rest Fest will happen again at the same beautiful venue. This time it will expand across an entire weekend in the Spring; the season of renewal, of birth, of cathartic metamorphosis. The true start of the year. Holy River and Big Fancy will headline a night of music on Saturday. Group classes will be held in a tent on the lawn in the shadow of a massive oak. And again, like last year, some of Richmond's finest local talent will come together in community to share and be seen, to hold and be held, as we all find rest and restoration.
This is a volunteer-run event by passionate people like myself, Lindsay Hess (thank you Tilt Creative + Production!), Melanie Glick, Daniel Klein, and many others giving their time and talent over the last year to make this happen because they believe in this event, in Richmond, its people, and the power of healing in community.
Ticket cost transparency: local businesses have generously provided financial support to cover the logistical costs of Rest Fest 2025. Ticket revenue will be split among the volunteer staff and other supporters who helped birth Rest Fest 2025 over the last year.
Tickets are on sale now at rvarestfest.com
Instagram: @rva.restfest
$177 for a weekend pass, $99 for single day passes.
2-ticket packs also available.
”I envisioned a celebration of *local* wellness, a platform for alternative voices to share legitimate practice methods to those living in their area; not some big name flown in from a different coast or country.”