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.

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.

2012 Westover Lawn Party

The James RiverFest

Saturday, April 21, 2012, Jamestown Yacht Basin/Eco Discovery Park
Come out for a day of river fun with the James River Association. The James RiverFest will kick off with the 2nd 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. Find more race information and make sure to register here. After the paddle challenge, spend time with the 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.

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! The Richmond event is located near Belle Isle on July 14, 2012 with the after party located at Historic Tredegar. The Lynchburg event will be held on July 28, 2012 on Percival's Island and the after party will be located at The Depot Grille. For more information visit www.jrsplashanddash.org.

Run-off Run-down

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 day.

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!

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

Annual Meeting

JRA’s 2011 Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, November 20 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at The Virginia Diocesan Center at Roslyn in Richmond , VA. The program included updates on JRA Programs by JRA Executive Director, Bill Street, followed by highlights from the 2011 James River Expedition, which was a 4-week expedition for 16 students and teachers from high schools throughout the James River basin. For more information about the 2012 Annual Meeting contact Sherrie Tribble at stribble@jrava.org or 804-788-8811 ext. 202.