JRA Events

Each year the James River Association holds a few signature events to raise funds and awareness in support of the James River. Below are our signature events - you don't want to miss them! Check out the JRA calendar for a complete list of upcoming James River events and activities.

The James RiverFest

Saturday, April 20, 2013, Jamestown Yacht Basin/Eco Discovery Park
Come out for a day of river fun with the James River Association. The James RiverFest takes place along with the 3rd Annual James River Paddle Challenge at 9 am, offering paddlers of all crafts and skill levels the choice of the 4-mile sprint course exploring up Powhatan Creek or the 9.5 mile enduro-paddle around historic Jamestown Island. After the paddle challenge, we invite the public to spend time with their family visiting educational, food, and vendor booths and trying out demonstrations of outdoor equipment. At the event, be sure to stop by the Eco Discovery Park tent and see plans for this great new center which will enable recreation and education on America’s Founding River. JRA will also have a tent to showcase our programs which will include hands on activities. All proceeds support JRA’s mission to protect and restore the James River watershed.

Annual Westover Lawn Party

This fun-filled day is our primary fundraiser and is held on the banks of the James River in Charles City County each year in June. Hundreds of attendees, both volunteers and guests, help us enjoy this annual event with great food and music, live and silent auctions and a variety of children's activities.

2013 Westover Lawn Party

James River Splash and Dash

The James River Splash and Dash is a competitive race and flat water tube. Participants run a trail course, grab a tube, paddle (with their hands) across a stretch of the James, and run their tube to the finish line. After the race, JRA hosts an after party that includes a band, food, beer and more! We host two events, on in Richmond and one in Lynchburg each July. For more information visit www.jrsplashanddash.org.

Runoff Rundown

The idea of the Run-Down is simple – river enthusiasts from across the Commonwealth signed up to cover small sections of the James River such that, taken in concert, the entire length of the James River – all 340 miles – will be traversed in one weekend. The 2012 event took place on September 8 & 9th.

Participants signed-up to paddle, boat or tube one of defined sections of the river, created a personal home page for fundraising and sent emails to friends encouraging them to join their team! They asked friends and family for pledges to support their run down the river.

For more information on this event visit the website, www.runoffrundown.org.

"What a Healthy River Means to Me" Poster Contest

JRA conducted a poster contest, "What a Healthy River Means to Me" for public middle school science students in the City of Richmond, City of Lynchburg, City of Williamsburg/James City and in the counties of Henrico and Chesterfield that lie within 5 miles of the James River. The poster contest was designed for students to apply what they have learned about a healthy river ecosystem. They illustrated the impact of clean water on their community; on the way in which people use the river; the benefits to wildlife; and the student’s life. View our Blog to see the winners!

Annual Meeting

The 2012 Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday, October 10th, in The Riverview Room at The Boathouse at Rockett's Landing in Richmond.

The program celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and Outside Magazine naming Richmond the 'Best River Town Ever'. Come out and enjoy an evening celebrating with us, including a video debut by Alexandra Cousteau's Blue Legacy, Inc. that highlights the James River's story.

With four decades of progress, JRA recognized 4 outstanding contributors to the health of the James River.

• Newton Ancarrow - an early advocate and voice for the river
• Jerry McCarthy and The Virginia Environmental Endowment - turning tragedy into triumph
• Muschi Fisher - a citizen advocate and JRA founding member
• Ralph White - Park Manager and Ambassador for the James River.

Extreme Stream Makeover

Each year JRA conducts an Extreme Stream Makeover, a watershed restoration initiative to improve the health of a local degraded watershed, to increase public awareness of upstream, local & downstream water quality issues and to improve knowledge and know-how regarding solutions to local water quality and quantity issues on an individual or household level. JRA works with hundreds of volunteers and project sponsors and partners to complete stream restoration projects over the course of a week. Learn more at www.extremestreammakeover.org