Ringing in the new year: Confetti rains down on 2,500 youngsters and their families gathered at the Science Museum of Virginia to ring in 2019 early — at noon on Monday. Youngsters, including Aleyah Michael, 4, left, and Brycen Woodson, 5, made wearable decorations for the “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration, which featured a giant party ball, music, countdown, noisemakers and a parade. Youngsters also could sign a huge banner with their resolutions for 2019. (Photo by Ava Reaves)

Ringing in the new year: Confetti rains down on 2,500 youngsters and their families gathered at the Science Museum of Virginia to ring in 2019 early — at noon on Monday. Youngsters, including Aleyah Michael, 4, left, and Brycen Woodson, 5, made wearable decorations for the “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration, which featured a giant party ball, music, countdown, noisemakers and a parade. Youngsters also could sign a huge banner with their resolutions for 2019. (Photo by Ava Reaves)

This stylish and decorative streetlight, set against the backdrop of the Richmond skyline, stands in Kanawha Plaza, the city park at 8th and Canal streets in Downtown. The look is part of a $2.9 million makeover completed in 2016 for the park, which previously was an informal shelter for the homeless. The previous traditional globe streetlights often were broken. The Enrichmond Foundation is in charge of fundraising for the park to cover the cost of maintenence and events. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

Hometown celebration: Boston Red Sox centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., right, spends time with his dad, Jackie Bradley Sr. of Richmond, during a celebration held for the pair on Dec. 28 by the older Mr. Bradley’s co-workers at GRTC. In late October, the younger Mr. Bradley helped the Red Sox clinch a World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. A Richmond area native, he played ball for Prince George High School and the University of South Carolina before joining the Red Sox, where he has been the starting centerfielder since 2014. His dad is a veteran bus driver for GRTC. The festive celebration was held at Southern Kitchen restaurant in Shockoe Bottom. (James Haskins/Richmond Free Press)

Final performance: Larry Bland & The Volunteer Choir give a joyful, final performance Sunday to an appreciative crowd of worshippers at St. Peter Baptist Church in Henrico County. Mr. Bland, 65, is retiring as director and chief organizer of the gospel performance group that has brought inspirational music to the region for 50 years. Mr. Bland also sang and played piano with The Volunteer Choir that has about 25 active singers. He and the choir received several ovations during the service, led by Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, pastor of St. Peter. The group, which began in 1968, was in recent years a regular part of the fifth Sunday worship service at the church on Mountain Road. (Photo by Ava Reaves)

Final performance: Larry Bland & The Volunteer Choir give a joyful, final performance Sunday to an appreciative crowd of worshippers at St. Peter Baptist Church in Henrico County. Mr. Bland, 65, is retiring as director and chief organizer of the gospel performance group that has brought inspirational music to the region for 50 years. Mr. Bland also sang and played piano with The Volunteer Choir that has about 25 active singers. He and the choir received several ovations during the service, led by Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, pastor of St. Peter. The group, which began in 1968, was in recent years a regular part of the fifth Sunday worship service at the church on Mountain Road. (Photo by Ava Reaves)

Artwork at Randolph Community Center (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)