Dominion Riverrock set for Brown’s Island, May 15-16
Celebration of Richmond’s active river life to be partnership between Venture Richmond, the Sports Backers and Dominion Resources
RICHMOND, VA (March 17, 2009) — Dominion Riverrock, Richmond’s newest lifestyle event that will blend music, sports, interactive opportunities and environmental stewardship, will debut at Brown’s Island on May 15-16. The event was announced at a news conference today on Brown’s Island by Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Dominion Resources Chairman, President and CEO Thomas F. Farrell II.
Billed as “Richmond’s Riverlife Celebration,” Dominion Riverrock begins Friday, May 15,
with a free performance by nationally acclaimed roots music and world rock band Rusted Root, a Mud Run, a high-flying Big Air dog jumping competition, and an acrobatic freestyle bike competition.
Events continue Saturday, May 16, when athletes from around the region square off in high-adrenaline activities both in and around the river including the James River Scramble trail run, mountain biking, kayaking and more. With additional musical performances, dog and bike competition, food, exhibits and more, Dominion Riverrock is sure to make a splash as Richmond’s premier river event.
Dominion is the title sponsor of the event through a grant from its Dominion Foundation philanthropic arm.
“We are very pleased that the Sports Backers and Venture Richmond have developed a major new event to help us celebrate the river and all its amenities. Dominion Riverrock is uniquely positioned to capitalize on Virginia's many historic, economic and geographic endowments: a location rich in history, an economically strong city center and a marvelous geographic setting,” said Farrell.
"Richmond is in such a unique position to host this premier outdoor lifestyle festival. We are one of the only urban centers in the country that can lay claim to so many natural resources in the heart of our business district. Increasing recreational activity along the James River is in line with the tenets of our Downtown Master Plan and I welcome the advent of this partnership with Dominion Resources," said Mayor Jones.
The partnership team of Venture Richmond and the Sports Backers will produce the event. This partnership brings two of our region’s major non-profit organizations together to combine their unique qualifications to make this event successful.
Venture Richmond engages business and community leaders in partnering to enhance the vitality of the community, particularly downtown Richmond, through economic development, marketing, promotion, advocacy and events. Venture Richmond owns and operates the Richmond Folk Festival, Friday Cheers, the 2nd Street Festival and Easter on Parade. The Sports Backers work to maximize the community benefits of sports tourism by creating, attracting and improving significant sporting events. The Sports Backers own and operate the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, SunTrust Richmond Marathon, U.S. Army Summer Hoops and the McDonald’s X-Country Festival at Maymont.
Dominion Riverrock is a free event for spectators, including all musical performances and the Big Air dog and freestyle bike competitions. Paid entry is required in competitor events such as the Mud Run and the James River Scramble. Other sponsors of Dominion Riverrock include Dream It. Do It. Virginia, RVA Construction, The Greater Richmond Chamber Foundation and Virginia Tourism Corporation. Full event information, including schedules, and registration for individual events can be found at www.sportsbackers.org.
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About Dominion
Dominion Resources, headquartered in Richmond, is one of the nation's largest producers of energy and serves retail energy customers in 12 states.
This year, Dominion, its charitable foundation and its employees will invest more than $20 million and 120,000 volunteer hours in programs that help improve the quality of life for people in the states where the company provides electricity or natural gas service or has significant facilities and business interests. Grant focus areas included preservation of natural and historic resources, work force development and education, diversity initiatives, neighborhood and community development, and meeting basic needs for food, shelter and clothing.
For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.
