PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 11, 2022
CONTACT:
Erin Hillert
Marketing & Communications Manager
James River Association
ehillert@thejamesriver.org
608.239.2644
A James Changing Celebration for the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act
The James River Association and Partners will Host their 2022 Annual Meeting on October 17
The James River Association’s (JRA) Annual Meeting is back and better than ever for 2022 with a very special celebration in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA), originally passed on October 18, 1972.
The organization is doing a complete takeover of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s beautiful West Creek property, providing a unique event highlighting the importance of a clean river, including live musical performances from local favorites Høly River and Elizabeth Wise, river-themed art installations by Artspace, an impressive showcase of JRA’s programming including their storytelling project, Stories by the James, and the announcement of their 2022 James Changer Awards.
This year’s Annual Meeting will be open to the public with free entry, although consideration of a $50 donation to JRA in honor of the CWA 50th anniversary would be greatly appreciated. Guests also have the option of upgrading their experience by donating $2,500 to reserve a table for 8 on the lawn or donating $5,000 to reserve a gazebo for 10 which includes oyster shucking and a taste test by JRA’s CEO, Bill Street. Additionally, a $5,000 donation will reserve space for two guests under the Celebration Tent with those donations going towards JRA’s new James A. Buzzard River Education Center.
Bill Street will be leading the main presentation during the evening, sharing updates on JRA’s work and plans for the future, honoring this year’s James Changer Award winners, and toasting to the successful completion of JRA’s three-year, $25 million James Changer Campaign, which includes exciting plans to build a cutting edge River Education Center in downtown Richmond, along the waterfront.
Immediately following the presentation, guests will be treated to an exclusive sneak preview of an upcoming episode of Daytime Emmy nominated TV docu-series, The Good Road, yet to be released later this fall during the third season of the show’s run. Craig Martin, co-host and producer of the show, will host a brief Q&A before sharing the episode, which focuses on Richmond, the James River, and the surrounding river community. Høly River and JRA are both featured in the episode.
“We have much to celebrate this year, and we are thrilled to extend an invitation to JRA’s 2022 Annual Meeting to our entire river community for the first time,” said Kristen Armstrong, Assistant Director of Development for JRA. “We hope that James River lovers from far and wide will gather with us on October 17th to experience art, music, and stories inspired by the river, and to commemorate our collective impact on the river’s health.”
Hardywood will be selling their standard and seasonal craft beer, and local food vendors Monique’s Crepes, Rappahannock Oyster Co, K&M Salmon Balls & Cakes, and Carytown Burgers & Fries will have delectable dishes available for purchase.
JRA sincerely thanks Hardywood Park Craft Brewery for hosting this special event at their beautiful West Creek campus. Additional thanks to our event sponsors Spherient Advisors, River Run Law, and ReMax Commonwealth for making the event possible.
To find out more information please go to https://thejamesriver.org/whats-happening/annual-meeting/.
ABOUT THE JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION: The James River Association is a member-supported nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to serve as a guardian and voice for the James River. Throughout the James River’s 10,000 square mile watershed, the James River Association works toward its vision of a fully healthy James River supporting thriving communities. The James River Association believes that “when you change the James, the James changes you”. With offices in Lynchburg, Richmond, Williamsburg, and Scottsville, the James River Association is committed to protecting the James River and connecting people to it. For more information visit www.thejamesriver.org.