The annual 2nd Street Festival, Richmond’s free fall music and cultural festival celebrating Jackson Ward, returns this weekend after going virtual last year because of COVID-19.

The two-day festival, now in its 33rd year, will feature a variety of music and entertainment on three stages, running from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3.

It will take place within an eight-block area along 2nd Street between Broad and Jackson streets in Jackson Ward. Along with the musical entertainment, there will be food vendors, a marketplace and artist row and vintage cars displayed by the Richmond Metropolitan Antique Car Club.

Musical headliners are Plunky & Oneness on Saturday evening and Mighty Joshua on Sunday afternoon. Performances also will include a musical tribute to Prince, the Virginia Union University Gospel Choir, Young Prince Charles, Bak N Da Day and the Richmond Urban Dance Company.

“We’re really excited to be back in the Jackson Ward neigh- borhood,” stated Sharon Bassard, booking and festival manager for Venture Richmond, the Downtown booster organization that sponsors the festival.

“This year’s lineup features Richmond favorites and up-and- coming artists,” she stated. “From jazz to reggae and gospel to R&B, you’ll be able to find a stage over the weekend with your favorite music — all for free.”

Organizers ask that festivalgoers follow federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 protocol and wear a mask and maintain social distancing during the event.

Richmond radio host Gary Flowers, whose family has a four-generation connection to Jackson Ward, will lead walking tours of the neighborhood, which was once known as “Black Wall Street of the South” and the “Harlem of the South.” The free, 60-minute guided tours leave at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from the sidewalk at the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site at 2nd and Leigh streets.

Additionally, festivalgoers can see the street signs honoring notable Jackson Ward residents who have played a major role in the history of the city and the nation. The honorary street signs are spearheaded by the JXN Project, headed by sisters Sesha Joi Moon and Enjoli Moon, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Jackson Ward. They also will be featuring a video Oct. 2 about many of the notable people, known as “Unveiling the Vanguard,” on their website, www.thejxnproject.com and on social media @TheJXNProject.

Festivalgoers also can purchase the official 2021 2nd Street Festival poster designed by Richmond artist Unicia R. Buster, a former graphic designer at the Richmond Free Press whose work has been shown in galleries on the East Coast and abroad, from her quilt art. Posters also are available for sale at Plan 9 Music in Carytown and online beginning Monday, Oct. 4, at Plan9Music.com.

Details about the festival are available at venturerichmond.com. Look for “Our events.”