Yes, we know it has been only six days since Halloween, but Christmas is up and running today at the Richmond Raceway Complex. The Craftsmen’s Christmas Classic celebrates its 30th anniversary through Sunday with the usual showcase of art, pottery, jewelry, toys, foods, clothing and more from about 450 artists and craftsmen. Craftsmen’s Classics are staged throughout the year in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina by Gilmore Shows.

The 30th annual show featuring pottery, jewelry, toys, furniture, clothing, fine art, food and more.
  When: Today, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Where: Richmond Raceway Complex, 602 E. Laburnum Ave.
  Tickets: $7 for adults, $1 for ages 6 through 12; under 6, free; admission good all three days with a free return pass from the show desk. Free parking.

From his perch behind a case of fresh ricotta-filled, crunchy Italian pastries called sfogliatelles, Nick Maiolo mused that there are two things Italian love—eating and singing. “And usually they’re singing about what they’re eating,“ he said. Maiolo was taking it all in yesterday during the fifth annual Richmond Italian Street Festival at the Richmond Raceway Complex. He’s the events manager for the Giuseppe Verdi Lodge, Order Sons of Italy, one of the main sponsors of the festival.

There’s more to Richmond’s Original Italian Street Festival than the street itself. That’s a good thing, since this year’s festival won’t actually be on a street.  After four years of spreading across the city’s Church Hill neighborhood, the festival is moving to the more spacious—and parking-friendly—grounds of the Richmond Raceway Complex in Henrico County. The Horticultural Gardens will be transformed into an Italian village street scene, complete with many of the delightful aromas and dazzling sights you’d hope to find.

New home products, holiday tablescapes and autograph sessions with former NFL stars will be featured this weekend at the 22nd annual Richmond Home Show. The event at the Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., takes place tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket are $7 for adults; 16 and younger are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at http://www.agievents.com/home-and-garden-shows.cfm. Click on “22nd Annual Richmond Home Show.“

The vehicles were lined up throughout the complex, the early-afternoon sun reflecting off chrome bumpers and gleaming paint jobs. People meandered through vintage cars and trucks in the Richmond Raceway Complex parking lot yesterday, eyes wide with wonder as they took in the multitude of restored antique vehicles. They came for the final day of the fifth Richmond Nationals sponsored by the National Street Rod Association, celebrating a trip through time of the automobiles. The event drew nearly 1,000 cars and hundreds more visitors from across Virginia and the country.

A Tennessee-based fair operator that planned a 10-day event at the Richmond Raceway Complex next month has canceled its plans.

Lindsay Mongra chortled as fellow James River High School student Elliot Harris, 17, mowed over four yellow traffic cones with a sport utility vehicle. But Mongra, 18, didn’t do much better when instructed to weave a car through the course and eat a granola bar at the same time. “Oh, I did hit a cone. I hit two cones. Oh, snap!“ he groaned, having only managed to bite off a corner of the snack wrapper. “That’s what happens when you don’t pay attention.“

Two things are always certain at the annual Chili Cook-Off: music and, duh, chili.  This year—its 26th—will provide those event necessities, but also a few other attractions Saturday. 

Everything you need to know about being a well-rounded Southern woman will be unveiled next weekend at the Richmond Raceway Complex. Fashion shows, smart shopping, creative cooking, healthy living—even a little beefcake—will be part of the 2009 Richmond Southern Women’s Show next Friday through April 19. First, the beefcake. The brave men of the Richmond Metro Area Firefighters will be back by popular demand for a fashion show and fundraiser next Friday at 5 p.m. Bring money and help fill their boots for the local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.