This Fall edition of Destination Recreation features a wide variety of new adventures to celebrate the cooler temperatures in our beautiful and colorful outdoors! James City County parks have always been “pet-friendly” and in this issue we’ll hit the “paws” button and take a closer look at our year-round offerings and amenities that make our community a “paws-itively” fun destination. Our fall programming also includes a new Learn-to-Swim initiative, outdoor adventures, a new financial planning series, Winter Break programs and a wide range of health and wellness classes and workshops including a new cancer fitness and wellness series. We’re offering more than 20 special events to make the season bright! Check out the fall brochure for the full schedule of programs available through January!
Upcoming Special Events & Programs
New Town Tunes • All Ages FREE!
Wednesdays - Sept. 13-Oct. 4 • 5-8 p.m.
Sullivan Square (behind Legacy Hall in New Town)
Bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy being outdoors while you listen to some tunes in the heart of New Town! Gates open at 5 p.m.; shows start at 5:30 p.m. Food and beverages available for purchase from New Town restaurants, local food trucks and breweries! Dogs welcome. Presented by James City County Parks & Recreation, Culturefix and New Town Management. For more information including weather updates or cancellations, visit https://newtownwilliamsburg.com/events-news/. Scheduled to appear:
Sept. 13: Soul Expressions (Motown to Current R & B)
Sept. 20: Blood, Sweat, and Years (Tribute to Blood, Sweat and Tears)
Sept. 27: Wilder Horses (Tribute to the Rolling Stones)
Oct. 4: Brasswind (Entertaining the Mass with all that Brass)
Drool in the Pool • All Ages
Sunday, Sept. 17 • 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
$10/dog
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Join James City County and the Heritage Humane Society for the eagerly anticipated annual Drool in the Pool! Pool passes for your dog to swim and play will be available at the gate on Sept. 17. Music, refreshments and goodies featured! All proceeds benefit the animals of Heritage Humane Society. For more details, visit heritagehumanesociety.org.
Harvest Festival • All Ages
Saturday, Sept. 23 • 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Parking: $5/car (cash or check only)
Scarecrow Row: $20/each (includes all supplies)
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Join us for this fun, fall annual tradition which draws families back year after year! Exciting FREE kids’ activities including face painting, a tractor-pulled hayride, arts and crafts, inflatables, live bluegrass music by CODE BLUE, “touch a tractor” and more! And don’t miss our scarecrow stuffing attraction, SCARECROW ROW ($) back by popular demand. First-come, first-served while supplies last. Local merchandise ($), food ($) and community vendors will also be onsite.
Campfire Socials • All Ages FREE!
Saturday, Oct. 7 • 6-7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 21 • 6-7 p.m.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Come celebrate fall with a good old-fashioned campfire gathering at Chickahominy Riverfront Park! Enjoy s’mores, activities, storytelling and more around the campfire overlooking Gordon Creek.
Glow! Pickleball Mania • Ages 18+
Saturday, Oct. 7 • 6:30-9:30 p.m.
$10/player
Veterans Park
Get your glow on while playing pickleball under the blacklights! Players will compete in eight, 5-minute matches with randomized opponents. Players with the most points at the end of the eight matches will be the winner! Dress in neon and accessorize with glow items; best glow outfit wins a prize! Registration options for beginner and intermediate players available. Advance registration required.
Boo Bash at the Beach • All Ages
Saturday, Oct. 14 • 1-4 p.m.
Parking Fee: $5/car (cash or check only)
Pumpkin Decorating: $5/pumpkin
Jamestown Beach Event Park
Experience a day at the beach with a Halloween twist! Trick-or-treating onsite for ages 12 and younger. Costumes welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy games, crafts, live DJ music, bounce houses, food trucks ($) and lots and lots of candy! Pumpkin carving and decorating available first-come, first-served while supplies last.
Free Black Settlement • All Ages FREE!
Saturday, Oct. 21 • 10-11:30 a.m.
Freedom Park
Tour one of the first Free Black Settlements in the U.S. located here in Freedom Park. Come learn historical facts, information about the land and visit the settlement’s dwellings which are historically accurate of the early 1800s. Registration not required. Meet at the Free Black Settlement area within the park.
Disability Awareness Trick or Treat • All Ages with Disabilities FREE!
Saturday, Oct. 28 • 9 a.m.-noon
Abram Frink Jr. Community Center
Come Trick or Treating in a fun, sensory friendly environment while learning about community resources for children and adults with disabilities. Enjoy activities for all ages, allergy free treats and a sensory break room. If you’re interested in presenting as a vendor or would like more information, please call 757-259-5354 or email Tracy.Newsom@jamescitycountyva.gov.
Live Well Expo • Ages 55+ FREE!
Thursday, Nov. 2 • 9-11:30 a.m.
James City County Recreation Center
Learn about senior services available in the community including nutrition, home health care, social and recreational services and more! Free preventive health screenings, medication checks and vaccinations.
Santa Calling • Ages 9 & younger FREE!
Tuesday, Dec. 5 • 5:45-8 p.m.
Santa Calling returns for children ages 9 and younger living in James City County and Williamsburg! Arrangements have been made with the North Pole for Santa and/or Mrs. Claus to personally call each child (or special friend of any age who is Santa’s biggest fan) on the phone. Completed forms are due by Tuesday, Nov. 28. Santa/Mrs. Claus will attempt to call children between 5:45-8 p.m.; however, specific call times cannot be guaranteed due to their holiday schedule. Registration forms are available beginning Nov. 1 at the Recreation Centers, Freedom Park Interpretive Center, Chickahominy Riverfront Park and online at jamescitycountyva.gov/recreation.
Breakfast with Santa • All Ages
Saturday, Dec. 9 • 9-11 a.m.
$13/person; ages 2 & younger FREE!
Legacy Hall in New Town
Families are invited to enjoy a pancake breakfast and a morning of holiday cheer with the jolly old elf himself. Music, entertainment, crafts and photos with Santa will create a magical experience for each member of the family. Registration required by Dec. 1 or until event fills. Please register everyone who is attending (adults and all children/babies) to ensure their seat. Fee includes a special gift for each attendee.
Fitness Open House • All Ages FREE!
Saturday, Jan. 13 • 9-11 a.m.
James City County Recreation Center
It will soon be a new year and time for a new healthy routine! Meet our instructors, reserve a spot for demo classes and receive information on all that James City County Health & Wellness has to offer. Look for details in December in the local media. Please call 757-259-4176 for more information.
2024 Hit the Reset Virtual 5K Run/Walk • All Ages
Jan. 13 – March 13
$25. Register early and save! $15 until 12/31/23 and then $20 until 1/31/24
It’s time to put 2023 in the past and HIT THE RESET! We’re racing into 2024 with positive resolutions—let’s move in a forward direction together! Join James City County Parks & Recreation for their third annual virtual 5K! You can complete this virtual 3.1-mile run/walk anywhere, with anyone, at any time. Complete within these dates and submit online. Race registration includes a commemorative medal and shirt. JCC has some of the most beautiful trails in Virginia. If you choose to run your 5K on a County trail, submit your location photo and receive an extra entry into our raffle. Registration closes on Feb. 22 at 10 p.m. To register, visit runsignup.com/hitthereset. Please call 757-259-4176 for more information.
Trips
Luray Caverns • Ages 13+
Saturday, Oct. 28 • 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
$50
Depart/return James City County Recreation Center
Spend the day underground! Self-guide through the largest and oldest natural caverns in the eastern U.S. while discovering the geological history that has created such an incredible environment. Fee includes admission into the caverns and transportation. Participants aged 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Adult Kayak Trips • Ages 18+
Saturday, Sept. 30 • 9 a.m.-noon
Saturday, Oct. 21 • 9 a.m.-noon
$15/day
James City County Marina
Paddle along the Powhatan Creek on a 3-mile out-and-back trip from the James City County Marina to Powhatan Creek Park. Kayaks, life jackets and paddles provided.
GardenFest at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens • All Ages
Friday, Dec.1 • 5-9 p.m.
$30
Depart/return James City County Recreation Center
View millions of lights that line garden paths and twinkle in trees under the night sky at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Henrico County. Fee includes admission to the gardens and transportation. Participants aged 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
To Register
Unless otherwise noted, please visit us online or call 757-259-4200 for more details and registration information. For the complete list of Parks & Recreation activities, programs and events, check out our Fall 2023 Activity Brochure. Copies of the brochure can be downloaded or picked up at the James City County Recreation Center, the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center, the Freedom Park Interpretive Center, County park offices, all public County government offices and the James City County and Williamsburg libraries.
Inclement Weather/Cancellations
All Outdoor Events are weather permitting. Before heading out, please call the Activities Hotline at 757-259-3232 any changes in schedules.
Program Sites
Abram Frink Jr. Community Center, 8901 Pocahontas Trail
Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Hwy.
Freedom Park/Interpretive Center, 5537 Centerville Rd.
James City County Marina, 2054 Jamestown Rd.
James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Rd.
Jamestown Beach Event Park, 2205 Jamestown Rd.
Legacy Hall, 4301 New Town Ave.
Veterans Park/Kidsburg, 3793 Ironbound Rd.
Media Contact:
Veda McMullen, Senior Communications Specialist
757-259-5415; veda.mcmullen@jamescitycountyva.gov