I don’t remember how I stumbled into the first Validation Day. It was February 14, 2019. I’d probably googled, “I loathe Valentine’s Day” or “What can lonely people do to avoid their despair on Valentine’s Day in Richmond, VA” or something along those lines.
However I found out about it, I wound up in Jackson Ward that afternoon for a parade celebrating “boundless love and universal acceptance” organized by Milk River Arts. A big group of sweethearts ambled together from Gallery 5 over to the Institute for Contemporary Arts and back. The parade included gigantic puppets, artists from the Milk River Arts community, their families and friends, and a horn section. There were even a few hangers-on who, like me, just kind of glommed on along the way.
The next year’s event was a little bigger. There was a parade and then a storytelling event inside the ICA, the contemporary art museum at Broad and Belvedere. I was recruited to participate in a sketch. In it, I wore a bandana around my neck and did a kind of solo square dance. In any other circumstances, that could have been the single most embarrassing act of my entire life. But in the context of Validation Day and the spirit of Milk River Arts, all I felt was gratitude to be included.
I missed the next few Validation Days either because of the pandemic or because I had something less fulfilling I had to do. This year’s event didn’t happen on February 14 — I like to think it’s outgrown any competition with Valentine’s Day.
In any case, it’s happening tomorrow. The parade starts at 1 p.m. at the Stone House in Forest Hill Park this Friday, April 26. There’s a picnic beforehand.
As I’ve written about the varieties of love here these last few months, Validation Day has never been far from my thoughts. If love is the extension of oneself on behalf of another’s spiritual growth, then Validation Day may be its greatest holiday. If you’re in Richmond tomorrow, I hope I’ll see you there.
I also hope I’ll see you at the album release show for New Love Stories on May 4. Tickets are starting to run low, but there’s time yet to get yours.
The concept of Validation Day is just great! Especially when held up against Valentine’s Day, which is anything but validating, even (esp) to those who are partnered up. I’m glad to know about this event and intend to seek it out in the future. ‘Cause who couldn’t use a lil more validation? And puppets. And dogs.
I see you with your jaunty bandana!