An evening of discovery, connection, and fireworks over the James!

Join us on June 13 for fireworks, cocktails, and the launch of our Currents of History lecture series, a new Connect with the James program that explores the James River from its historic past to its modern renewal. Celebrate with us as we commemorate a dual milestone—America’s 250th and JRA’s 50th! Thank you to Presenting Sponsor E. Claiborne Robins Jr. for making this series possible!

Bob Deans, author of The River Where America Began: A Journey Along the James, will offer fresh perspectives on a cherished story and answer audience questions.  “Bob Deans started out in the news business when he was ten years old, delivering his hometown paper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He spent three decades as a reporter for The Post & Courier of Charleston, S.C., and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, including four years as Chief Asia Correspondent, based in Tokyo, and eight years covering the White House. He’s a former president of the White House Correspondents’ Association and author of the nonfiction book, The River Where America Began: A Journey Along the James. His debut novel is The Bicycle Man. Bob is married to the artist and children’s book author Karen Deans. They live in Bethesda, Maryland, and have three grown children.”

The lecture will be followed by a cocktail reception, hors d’oeuvres, and a spectacular view of the SailFest 250 Richmond fireworks from our riverfront location, 9:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $76 per attendee ($80.56 with fees). Tickets close June 5th. Register Now!

This event includes a shuttle service to the James A. Buzzard River Education Center. Please meet at 4300 Williamsburg Ave, Richmond, VA 23231 for the shuttle service.

DO NOT park at the Great Shiplock Park Dock Street parking lot – this lot is closed and locked at sundown.