PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 12, 2023
CONTACT:
Erin Hillert, Director of Communications
James River Association
Cell: 608.239.2644 | Email: ehillert@thejamesriver.org
The James River Association Invites You to Celebrating the James on October 23
RICHMOND, VA – The James River Association (JRA) is hosting a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and be a James Changer. As the organization believes, the more you change the James, the more it changes you.
JRA’s event, Celebrating the James, will take place at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s West Creek location on the evening of Monday, October 23. Tickets are $50 per person, and the organization will be providing entertainment, catered delicacies, and exciting updates on their critical work to protect the James River and connect people to it.
Local Richmond favorites Andrew Alli and Josh Small will kick off the evening with their unique blend of acoustic blues, folk, and soul music. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the music and other festivities leading up to the evening’s official presentation.
Bill Street, JRA’s President and CEO, will provide a sneak peek at JRA’s biennial State of the James report, which will officially be released on October 26. The report is generated every two years, and it summarizes ongoing efforts to restore the James River back to full health. This comprehensive assessment of the James examines the status and trends of indicators in both river health and river restoration progress.
“We look forward to welcoming our James Changing community to celebrate this special and life-giving river with us,” said Bill Street, President and CEO for JRA. “We are especially excited to share more information about the current health of the river and highlight the important work being done to protect it and create long-lasting connections with the James.”
The evening also features JRA’s annual James Changer Awards, recognizing individuals or groups who made a significant impact on the river over the past year. This year’s winners include Keith Burgess, District Manager for Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District in the Protect category; Eric Byers, Education Science Specialist for Henrico County and Janine D’Elia, Secondary Science Curriculum Specialist for Chesterfield County in the Connect category; Gareth Hunt, a James River Watch volunteer in the Volunteer category ; and John Bryan, author of The James River in Richmond and America’s Favorite Flies in the Supporter category.
Other highlights include two raffle showcases offering guests the chance to win a kayak, a rafting trip with Riverside Outfitters, or one of two luxury river cruises. Additionally, local filmmaking team Headwaters Down will share a new film trailer for Headwaters Down: Tidal River, the follow up to their award-winning adventure documentary, Headwaters Down.
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery will be selling their standard craft beer, including the Great Return that benefits JRA, and seasonal brews, which will pair perfectly with oysters sponsored by Alewife and food from White House Catering.
JRA sincerely thanks the Hardywood team for hosting this special event, and the following event sponsors for making this evening possible: Chemtreat, Grayco, Spherient, Re-Max, Troutman Pepper, Ballast Consulting Group, Cirrus Vodka, River Run Law, All Points Broadband, Gil and Horner Wealth Management group of Raymond James, David King Fundraising Consultant, and Bootsie and Jim Rogers.
Celebrating the James will take place on October 23 from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s West Creek location. To purchase tickets and find out more information, please go to https://thejamesriver.org/whats-happening/celebrating-the-james/.
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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. With offices in Lynchburg, Scottsville, Richmond and Williamsburg, the James River Association is committed to protecting the James River and connecting people to it. For more information, visit www.thejamesriver.org.