Right Around the River Blog

Thousands Celebrate Summer at Rocketts Red Glare

Post Date: 05-28-2013

Last Sunday, over 6,500 people got their summer groove on at Rocketts Red Glare, our annual Memorial Day celebration along the banks of the James River. And after a long spring season, we were thrilled to host the event to such an enthusiastic crowd!

Sponsored by BrownGreer and benefitting Connor's Heroes, Rocketts Red Glare featured live music, a food truck court by RVA Street Foodies and Richmond's only Memorial Day fireworks bursting over the river (which also made for some fantastic photos that you can enter into our Rocketts Landing Inspi-RIVER-ation photo contest!).

While hundreds of people packed onto the riverfront dining decks of our community's restaurants Conch Republic and The Boathouse, thousands of attendees grooved to the sounds of Mike Banks and Chris Norred, and Kings of Swing. And in true summer spirit, picnics with families and friends popped up throughout the event grounds.

We also had a great Kid Zone set up with family-friendly activities such as crafts and hoola hoops. And all ages filled Old Main Street with chalk drawings, leaving their enthusiastic imprint of the day’s celebration. Meanwhile, thousands gathered to bid farewell to the cruise ship docked at the Richmond Terminal, which was visiting Richmond while traveling up and down the East Coast.

Once the sun went down, tons of twinkling lights lit up the river, as people took to the James River on their boats to watch the fireworks display. Everyone then ooohed and awed as the night’s fireworks show lit up the downtown skyline over the James River.

And the good times did some real good for our community, too. Thanks to proceeds from the event’s beer and wine sales, we successfully raised $6,307.25 to support Connor’s Heroes, a local nonprofit that provides assistance to children with cancer and their families.

All in all, we had a blast at Rocketts Red Glare and are thrilled that Richmond joined us for some summer fun at Rocketts Landing. We look forward to next year’s event!