James River Week
September 10th – 17th, 2022
James River Week is a week long celebration of Virginia’s most incredible natural asset!
This week is the culmination of many like-minded groups coming together to offer recreational, environmental, and educational activities in, on and around the James River. James River Week not only encourages participants to enjoy the James’ many benefits, but also brings awareness to the critical issues it faces. Whether volunteering, experiencing your first batteau trip, participating in a paddle adventure, or devouring delicious oysters, we encourage you to spend some time this week connecting with the James and your fellow river-lovers.
2022 James River Week Schedule At-A-Glance
All Week Long — Seafood for the James — Restaurants throughout our watershed.
All Week Long — The Great Return of the Atlantic Sturgeon Pontoon Boat Trips — JRA, Rocketts Landing
Sat. Sept. 10 — James River Regional Cleanup — James River Advisory Council, Watershed-wide — Kid Friendly
Sat. Sept. 10; 10 am — Run of the River — Maymont Foundation, Robins Nature Center at Maymont, Richmond, VA
Sept. 13 and Sept. 15, 2022; 9:30 am — James River Story Time — Clover Hill Library – Chesterfield County Public Library, VA
Sat. Sept. 10; 11 am — Animals of the James River Live! — Libbie Mill Library, Richmond, VA — Geared towards students
Mon. Sept. 12; 10 am — Toddler Time — Maymont Foundation, Robins Nature Center at Maymont, Richmond, VA — For Toddlers
Mon. Sept. 12; 3 – 6 pm — Rain Barrel Workshop — Broad Rock Branch Library, Richmond, VA
Wed. Sept. 14; 12:30 pm — Hike the Belle Isle Loop — Blue Sky Fund, Belle Isle, Richmond, VA
Wed. Sept 14; 3:30 pm — James River Bateaus — Deep Run Recreation Center, Henrico, VA — Geared towards 3rd- 5th-grade students
Thurs. Sept. 15; Fri. Sept. 16; 4 & 5 pm — Historic James River Batteau Trips — James River Adventures, Lynchburg, VA
Sat. Sept. 17; 12 pm — James River Park System Family Field Day — Friends of the James River Park, Belle Isle, Richmond, VA
2022 James River Week Programing
Seafood for the James
A percentage of select seafood dishes will be donated to JRA, in honor of protecting the 10,000 miles of the James River watershed, at restaurants throughout our region. Check back closer to James River Week for each delicious location and many thanks to our wonderful restaurant partners for their commitment to a healthy river!
Grey’s – Lynchburg • Milano’s – Lynchburg • The Water Dog – Lynchburg • Brambly Park – Richmond • Jardin – Richmond • Rappahanock Oyster Co. – Richmond • Shagbark – Richmond • Toast – Richmond • Southbound – Richmond • Alewife – Richmond • The Lilly Pad – Richmond • Legend Brewing Co – Richmond • Sedona Taphouse – Hopewell • Upper Shirley Vineyards – Charles City County • Culs Courthouse Grill – Charles City County • Craft 31 – Williamsburg
James River Regional Cleanup
Saturday, September 10, 2022: 9am
Join the James River Advisory Council in its 23rd year of cleaning up the James River and its shorelines! The cleanup is a cooperative, regional event spanning more than 75 miles of the James River at 13 sites. Walkers, powerboats, paddle craft, and hikers will participate in a limited capacity.
The Great Return of the Atlantic Sturgeon Trips
Celebrate James River Week and the Great Return of the Atlantic Sturgeon with the James River Association! Join staff members on an outing on the Spirit of the James, the James River Association’s pontoon boat. Participants will learn about the natural resources of the James River and the endangered Atlantic sturgeon, which make an annual migration up the James River in late summer where they often can be seen breaching out of the water! $25 per participant.
Run of the River
Saturday, September 10, 2022; 10:30 am
Themed “Run of the River,” the $2.3 million Robins Nature Center at Maymont renovation project highlights the remarkable ecology of the James River located along Maymont’s southern border in Richmond. The new experience also emphasizes the natural history of the area and environmental stewardship opportunities for the community. The Robins Nature Center, a 29,000-square-foot attraction, is the largest facility of its kind in central Virginia and holds close to 30,000 gallons of aquaria showcasing animals of the James River and Chesapeake Bay. $8/adult; $6/youth; free for members and Museums for All participants.
James River Story Time
Sept. 13 and Sept. 15, 2022; 9:30 am
This early literacy storytime focuses on rivers, lakes and other bodies of water. Hear stories, sing songs and make a craft! Ages 2-5. Please register every person who will be attending. Registration begins seven days before each program.
Clover Hill Library – Chesterfield County Public Library – 6701 Deer Run Dr, Midlothian, VA 23112
Toddler Time at Maymont
Monday, September 12, 2022: 10am
Introduce your little explorer(s) to the joys and wonders of the James River at Maymont’s “Run of the River” exhibition. During this session, enjoy story time, a craft, and a visit with one of Maymont’s animals. Plus, you and your toddler might even make a few new friends! $15/parent and child
Hike the Belle Isle Loop
Wednesday, September 14, 2022; 12:30 pm
Join us for a short (1.8 miles) scenic hike around Belle Isle, an unexpected trail of fun filled with Richmond history right in the middle of the James River. With history dating back to the early 1600’s Belle Isle is sure to provide you with a new perspective of our river city, and beautiful views to boot. The isle provides everything from calm waters to wade in, to access to class 3 & 4 rapids, ruins of Richmond’s industrial manufacturing sites, the Civil War, and reminders of the indigenous people that first occupied this land. Be sure to wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes, and bring a bottle of water. Event hosted by Blue Sky Fund
James River Bateaus
Wednesday, September 14, 2022; 3:30 pm
Children grades 3-5 will meet at Deep Run Recreation Center for a fun, educational experience! We’ll explore the history of bateaus on the James River and make a model bateau to take home.
James River Park System - "Family Field Day"
Saturday, September 17, 2022; 12 pm
Friends of the James River Park will be hosting a family field day at Belle Isle in Richmond, VA. Try out a kayak, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing and more! Details to come.
Rain Barrel Workshop
Mon. September 12, 2022; 3-6 pm
Celebrate James River Week by participating in a rain barrel workshop at Broad Rock Branch Library on Monday, September 12. Participants will learn about the benefits of rain barrels as well as how to assemble and install them. Registration is available on a first come first served basis and includes a 55-gallon drum, rain barrel assembly kit, a native plant and instruction provided by James River Association staff members. Rain barrels will be distributed between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm and a workshop will be held at the library at 5:00 pm.
Animals of the River Live
Saturday, September 17, 2022; 11 am
Educators from the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, VA, will bring live animals to complement their presentation on wildlife found in the James River ecosystem in celebration of James River week 2022 to the Libbie Mill Library in Henrico County. This program is held in partnership with Keep Henrico Beautiful.
Historic Batteau Trip
The James River Batteau was originally designed by Anthony and Benjamin Rucker in 1775 as a cargo boat to transport goods throughout the Commonwealth via the James River and its tributaries. It is a wide, flat bottomed boat, pointed at both ends making it the perfect vessel to carry passengers and freight while navigating the shallow and rock laden waters of the Upper James River.
Come join us at James River Association in Lynchburg to experience a ride on a period correct replica of a James River Batteau. These large 40+ feet long vessels were once used to move people and freight up and down the James River before the canals and railroads came through and made them obsolete .
