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
Sat. Sept. 10; 1pm — James River Jamboree – Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, West Creek, 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, 7-9pm — Cheers for Charity Trivia Night — Starr Hill Brewery, Richmond, VA
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
Wed. Sept. 14; 6:00 pm — Composting Made Easy – Chesterfield Master Gardeners — Chesterfield Cooperative Extension Office, Chesterfield, VA
Thurs. Sept. 15; 7:00 pm — Ask Ralph: Sharing James River Park History — Basic City Beer Co- RVA
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
10% of select seafood and fish dishes will be donated to JRA in honor of protecting the 10,000 miles of the James River watershed! For a list of delicious dishes, click here. Our sincere thanks to the following participating restaurants:
Grey’s – Lynchburg • Milano’s Enoteca – Lynchburg • The Water Dog – Lynchburg • The Boathouse – Richmond • Brambly Park – Richmond • Jardin – Richmond • Rappahanock Oyster Co. – Richmond • Shagbark – Richmond • Toast – Richmond/Midlothian • Southbound – Richmond • Alewife – Richmond • The Lilly Pad – Richmond • Legend Brewing Co – Richmond • Osaka – Richmond • Lucky AF – Richmond • Wild Ginger – Richmond • Hot Chick – Richmond • Red Salt – Richmond • Chez Foushee – Richmond • Upper Shirley Vineyards – Charles City County • Culs Courthouse Grill – Charles City County • Craft 31 – Williamsburg • The Boathouse – All Four Locations
Special thanks to Tazza Kitchen for donating a $100 gift card! You can enter to win this gift card by submitting a river story about why you love the James! Deadline for submissions is September 17.
Special thanks to Sedona Taphouse in Colonial Heights for choosing JRA as their Dine Out for Charity partner for the month of September! Click here for more details.
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.
James River Jamboree
Saturday, September 10, 2022: 12pm
Celebrate James River Week at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s James River Jamboree! Located at Hardywood’s West Creek location on September 10th, join them for a day full of interactive vendors, music, cold beer, and tasty food trucks – all to benefit the James River Association. Live music will be provided by: Danny Jams, Damian Allen, Django Tango, and Sturgeon City!
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.
Cheers for Charity Trivia Night
Monday, September 12th, 7-9pm
Head to Starr Hill Brewery in Richmond and join the James River Association for a fun-filled night of T-RIVER-IA! Trivia questions will be river-themed, the Fugly Duckling food truck will be there if you get hungry, and $1 of every pint or six-pack of The Love sold will be donated to JRA to protect our river!
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
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.
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
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.
Composting Made Easy
Wednesday, September 14, 2022; 6:00 pm
Join Chesterfield Master Gardeners for an informative session about home composting. Learn how to make beneficial compost out of household waste and how to use it to improve your garden and yard. Each attendee will receive a free GeoBin to start composting right away. Fee must be paid to reserve a spot. $35 per participant.
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.
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 .
Shop for the James
Thank You!
Thank you to the dozens of partners who help make James River Week a success!