RICHMOND — The James River Association (JRA) will host its 2022 Annual Meeting at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s West Creek property and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA), originally passed on Oct. 18, 1972.
The organization’s takeover of the brewery property will highlight the importance of a clean river, according to a press release. It will include live musical performances from local acts Høly River and Elizabeth Wise; river-themed art installations by Artspace; a showcase of JRA’s programming, including its storytelling project, Stories by the James; and the announcement of its 2022 James Changer Awards.
“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, noting the meeting is open to the public with free entry. “We hope that James River lovers from far and wide will gather with us on Oct. 17 to experience art, music, and stories inspired by the river, and to commemorate our collective impact on the river’s health.”
A $50 donation to JRA in honor of the CWA 50th anniversary is welcome, and guests can upgrade their experience by donating $2,500 to reserve a table for eight on the lawn or $5,000 to reserve a gazebo for ten, which includes oyster shucking and a taste test by JRA’s CEO, Bill Street. A $5,000 donation will also reserve space for two guests under the Celebration Tent, with those donations going towards JRA’s new James A. Buzzard River Education Center.
Street will lead the presentation, share updates on JRA’s work and plans for the future, honor this year’s James Changer Award winners, and toast the successful completion of JRA’s three-year, $25 million James Changer Campaign.
The campaign includes plans to build a cutting-edge River Education Center along the waterfront in downtown Richmond.
Immediately after the presentation, guests will get an exclusive sneak peek at an upcoming episode of the Daytime Emmy-nominated docu-series, The Good Road, focusing on Richmond, the James River, and the surrounding river community. Craig Martin, co-host and producer, will host a brief Q&A before sharing the episode to be aired later this fall during the show’s third season. Høly River and JRA are both featured in the episode.
Hardywood will sell its standard and seasonal craft beer, joined by local food vendors Monique’s Crepes, Rappahannock Oyster Co, K&M Salmon Balls & Cakes, and Carytown Burgers & Fries.
Event sponsors are Spherient Advisors, River Run Law, and ReMax Commonwealth.
To find out more information visit JRA’s event website.
