Right Around the River Blog
Rocketts Landing's Riverfront Ruled 2012
Post Date: 12-18-2012
Here we are, friends! Just days away from the end of 2012 -- and what a time we've had at Rocketts Landing this year. From hosting new athletic events to breaking ground on commercial developments and more, there was quite a lot of action at our doorstep. So, in the spirit of the season, we wanted to share our Top 5 highlights of Rocketts Landing life in 2012. Let the countdown begin!
5. Construction Begins on Historic Cedar Works Warehouse
After much anticipation, we finally broke ground on the historic Cedar Works Warehouse construction. Featuring 38,000-square-feet of exposed brick, wood beams and other details, local law firm BrownGreer is turning this late-1800s building at our community's entrance into a light-filled corporate headquarters -- with custom-built three-story, glass-walled rooms to boot. We're stoked for the finishing touches and look forward to their opening in spring 2013!
New to Rocketts Landing (and Richmond!) this year, Richmond Multisports launched the Richmond ROX Half Ironman. A total of 255 athletes came out to race during perfect fall weather — and word from the competitors, spectators and organizers was that it was a rockin’ success! Racers swam 1.2 miles in the James River, cycled 56 miles into rural Varina and ran 13.1 miles through downtown Richmond and Rocketts Landing. Their efforts were well rewarded with an outdoor afterparty catered by Rocketts’ own M Bistro & Wine Bar and topped off with live music by Sportsbar Rockstar.
A fundraiser for the VCU Massey Cancer Center, the 3rd Annual Massey on the River event visited Rocketts Landing for the first time — and brought over 800 people to the banks of the James River! Guests wined, dined, played lawn games and danced. And they also signed an 8-by-30-foot-long tribute billboard to cancer victims, finishing the night as the most successful Massey on the River event to date.
2. Big Brothers Big Sisters 23rd Annual Duck Race – and winning Rocketts Landing resident!
We were thrilled when Big Brothers Big Sisters asked to host their beloved annual duck race at Rocketts Landing for the first time. And we were even more thrilled when the event not only attracted over 4,000 people to the Rocketts Landing riverfront to race rubber duckies — but also saw Rocketts Landing resident Merrick Avery’s duck win first place (and a new 2012 Nissan Versa!). We can’t wait to host Richmond’s favorite rubber ducky race again next year!
The top Rocketts Landing moment this year was our first ever Rocketts Red Glare Memorial Day celebration. After stormy weather postponed what was originally supposed to be a 2011 Labor Day event, we were more than ready to bring Richmonders down to our riverfront for our city’s only Memorial Day fireworks. Nearly 4,500 people danced, noshed, drank and celebrated along the James River, finishing the night with a stellar fireworks show over our city’s James River skyline.
So a huge thanks goes out to everyone who helped make 2012 a wonderful year at Rocketts Landing. With new developments for our community in the works, we’re stoked for all that 2013 has in store!