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Iron Blossom Festival Draws Thousands to Richmond

Heory

The sun was shining at Richmond’s Bon Secours Training Center in Richmond as thousands of music lovers flocked to the highly anticipated second edition of the Iron Blossom Music Festival. After a sold-out debut last year, the festival promised a bigger and better experience, and it delivered.

From the first note to the final encore, Iron Blossom cemented themselves as a new pillar of the Richmond cultural scene.






Taylor Meier will perform with Sumbuck at the Iron Blossom in Richmond on Saturday.


Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch


The festival kicked off on a sunny and hot Saturday afternoon as fans began to gather on the vast green lawn, eager to take their place under the colorful tent that became the visual showcase of the event.

Brogan Baker and his group of friends drove from Indianapolis and Charlotte for the two-day festival, eager to see some of their favorite bands, like Caamp, the Ohio folk-rock band that will play its only Southeast show of the year at the Iron Blossom on Sunday night.

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Claire Squadron dances in the front row of Sumbuck during the Iron Blossom Music Festival at the Bon Secours Training Center in Richmond on Saturday.


Photos by Margo Wagner, TIMES-DISPATCH


Richmond residents Hayley Jenkins and Casey Kelahan returned to this year’s festival after an unforgettable experience at last year’s inaugural Iron Blossom.

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“It’s really nice here and there’s a community feel where everyone wants to play together,” Jenkins said.

One of the early highlights of the day was a performance by indie pop singer Victoria Canal, who played her first show in Virginia on Saturday afternoon. The audience sang along to her song “Shape,” which is about her relationship with her body. Canal, who was born without a right forearm, said the moral of the story is: “You can be disabled and hot.”

As the day progressed, the crowds grew and larger groups took the stage, including the Turnpike Troubadours, who brought their Oklahoma Red Dirt style of music to Virginia.






People sit around the Iron Blossom sign at the Richmond Training Center on Saturday during the second edition of the music festival.


Margo Wagner, TIMES-DISPATCH


Other performers include Trampled by Turtles, an American folk band with bluegrass influences, indie rock singer Indigo de Souza and Saturday night’s headliner, indie rock band Mt. Joy, who played 2022 at Brown’s Island in Richmond.

Iron Blossom’s appeal transcends generations and demographics, evident in fans who ranged from college students in Mt. Joy T-shirts to families with young children.

Richmond has found its festival and it looks like Iron Blossom is here to stay.