Special Events
About
James City County Parks and Recreation offers a variety of large special events that provide unique year-round experiences for residents and tourists. Below is a list of annual events – for more specific information about dates of current offerings, please refer to the Special Events section of the Destination Recreation Activity Brochure.
Family Fun Night (In A Box) - Feb. 27
Virtual Activity
Dedicate a night for some quality family time. You provide the space (and family); we package up the FUN! Enjoy good old-fashioned board game, play some cards and get creative with a hands-on activity or craft! We'll also throw in prepackaged popcorn and candy for a sweet treat. All families must preregister by February 17; select custom game package at the time of registration. Families will be contacted to select their pick-up date and time. We invite you to share your experience with us! Take a family photo and email to parks.rec@jamescitycountyva.gov on the event date. Photo submission will enter you into a raffle for a family-fun gift basket - winning family will be announced on March 1!
Virtual Fido Fest - March 15-20
Presented by Peninsula Animal Referral Center
Virtual Contests & Swag Bag Pick-up
Don’t miss the PAW-ty! There's a new twist on this family favorite, furry friend event! The event has gone virtual for 2021! Featured activities include:
Dog Photo Contest* - prizes are awarded for best smile, best costume, precious pup (age 2 & younger) and precious pup (age 3+). One photo entry per email address. Voting takes place March 15-20 on our Facebook page facebook.com/jccparks. Winners announced Monday, March 22.
Best Trick Contest* - 30-second, 250 MB clip maximum. One video entry per email address.
Fido Fashion Show* - dress your pup in their finest St. Patrick's Day gear and show us! All photo entries will receive a special prize and be featured in a video slideshow.
Fido Coloring Raffle - Coloring sheets may be picked up from the Recreation Centers and Parks offices or Downloaded Online (PDF). To enter, color your picture, take a photo and send to joy.johnson@jamescitycountyva.gov; all submissions are entered into a special raffle. Raffle winner announced March 22!
*All submissions are due by Wednesday, March 10; enter contests here.
Sign up to receive a FREE dog-friendly "swag bag!" One bag per family. Drive-through pickup dates are March 19-20 at Freedom Park. Select your time. For more information, please call 757-259-5353.
Fido Fest is presented by the Peninsula Animal Referral Center and sponsored by The Pet Resort at Greensprings, the James City Veterinary Clinic and Muddy Marley's Dog Wash. Hosted by James City County and the Heritage Humane Society.
Register for any programs below or find more information.
Half Century Senior Games
April 30 | Gender & Mixed Doubles Pickleball
May 1 | 5K Race - CANCELED DUE TO LOW REGISTRATION!
Join us for James City County’s Senior Games! This event caters to adults age 50 or better who enjoy a bit of competition and staying active. Events for 2021 include pickleball and a 5K race. There'll be sections for men’s and women’s as well as amateur or master divisions. To register, visit PerfectMind. DEADLINE TO REGISTER: April 20. Registration includes T-shirt, light refreshments, race bib (5K only), and medals for qualifying finishers. spaces are limited for pickleball. When registering for pickleball, please ensure to register one player only. Be sure to notate your partner's name, skill division, and age bracket at the time of registration. For event questions, phone 757-259-5355 or email sarah.oreilly@jamescitycountyva.gov.
Summer Camp Fair featuring See-A-Truck - May 15*
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
This fair is a one-stop shop for families planning summer activities! Find out about summer camps, programs and more for all ages! You can register onsite or just gather information. FREE for families to attend, but everyone must sign-up for a timeslot to attend here! Be sure to follow the JCC Parks & Recreation and Williamsburg Families Facebook pages for event updates! After you've gathered info for summer, swing by the "See-A-Truck" area to explore and learn about various "big" or unique vehicles such as buses, farm equipment, fire trucks and more!
Offered in partnership with WilliamsburgFamilies.com.
*Weather permitting
Family Fun Fest - CANCELED for 2021
Enjoy petting animals, hands-on activities, inflatable rides, family entertainment with music and contests too! “Touch-a-Truck” is back for all ages! Stop by the “Good for You Zone” and see why being healthy can lead to loads of fun. Oh, and be sure to participate in the Fun Run! Grab some lunch provided by our food vendors and visit all of our local craft and business vendors!
Movies Under the Stars
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Typically held 2-3 times each summer at 8:30 p.m. at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. Enjoy some of the great box office titles out under the stars in a James City County Park!
Tails on the Trail - June 5
Typically held the first Saturday in June from 9-11 a.m. at Greensprings Interpretive Trail. Are you up for a summer-long trail adventure with your dog? Join the Heritage Humane Society for this kick-off event! This self-guided adventure will start you off at one of the 8 trails for your exploration through the summer. Did you know the first Saturday in June is also National Trails Day? Get active with your pet! For more information, visit heritagehumanesociety.org.
Register for any programs below or find more information.
Capital Color Ride - June 6
You’ve heard of The Color Run™, but how about a color ride? Enjoy this family-friendly biking event along a 15-mile stretch of the Virginia Capital Trail. Venture from Chickahominy Riverfront Park to the James City County Marina and back, while encountering color stops, snacks, water and more at the rest stops. Preregister for $10 online by May 14 ($15 after 5/21). Registration includes a free shirt and refreshments, while supplies last. To register, visit runsignup.com/capitalcolorride.
Student Art Show - Begins June 18
Virtual
Our annual student art show has gone virtual! Watch as Anne Kushnick's oil painting, pastel and acrylic students display their talents through a video compilation of art. For more information on fine arts classes, phone 757-259-5353 or visit our website at jamescitycountyva.gov/recreation.
Freedom Stories & More - June 19
Freedom Park (Noon - 3 p.m.)
Typically held the third or fourth Saturday in June from noon-3 p.m. at Freedom Park. Join Williamsburg native Dylan Pritchett, best known as “The Storyteller” along with other Virginia Black Storytellers (VirBS) as they share with you Freedom Stories at Freedom Park! The Free Black Settlement area is the backdrop for this special event. Also featured are unique crafts for kids, music and food available for purchase.
Project FiveFortySeven - June 20
Various Locations (5:47 a.m. - sunset)
It’s the longest day of the year, make time to play! Join Parks & Recreation for the 3rd Annual Longest Day of Play program. Enjoy FREE recreational activities from sunrise to sunset. Check out our full program listing by clicking HERE or visiting our event page on Facebook by clicking HERE. Be sure to see which programs require registration and which are drop-in. Join us at Upper County Pool from 6-9 p.m. for music, pool games, family trivia, DJ, bonfire and more!
Take part in our Project 547 Photo Contest! Submit your favorite photos from your Project 547 activities before midnight. The photo categories are (A) Nature & Animals, (B) Portraits & People, and (C) Landscapes. For contest rules and to submit your photos, please visit our Project 547 Photo Contest submittal form.
Movies Under the Stars
Typically held 2-3 times each summer at 8:30 p.m. at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. Enjoy some of the great box office titles out under the stars in a James City County Park!
Scarecrow Row - Sept. 18
Jamestown Beach Event Park (11 a.m. - 1 p.m.)$20/scarecrow
Come out for this social distanced and FUN event making a scarecrow with your family. Make the biggest, the best, and maybe the only scarecrow in your neighborhood! Families must preregister for their scarecrow. Fee includes all supplies (hay, clothes, paints, brushes and your space on the event field). Not able to make the event date/time, or prefer to make your scarecrow at home? No problem! Select the “at home kit” and we’ll package your supplies for pick-up.
Live Well Week - Nov. 1-5
James City County Recreation Center
Seniors ages 55+, we invite you to join us for Live Well Week! Swing by the James City County Recreation Center any day between 8-noon to pick-up a "Live Well" bag containing information from local organizations and agencies who specialize in health care, nutrition, leisure services and more! Enter our raffle to win a special "Live Well" gift basket with lots of goodies! Flu shots will also be available on Friday, Nov. 5; however, you must sign up. You can sign up online (link coming soon) or phone 757-259-5353. During your appointment and throughout your visit at the Recreation Center, facial coverings are required and social distancing measures will be in place.
Bike the Bridge - Date TBA
Virginia Capital Trail (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.)Join James City County in the first annual Bike the Bridge event. The full route will start in James City County, cross the Chickahominy River and enter into Charles City County along the Virginia Capital Trail. Starting location will be mile marker 0 of the Virginia Capital Trail and include various lengths of 15, 25 and 50 mile routes; route information will be available closer to the race date. Light refreshments at rest stops, a T-shirt and lunch are provided with rider registration. Registration closes Friday, Nov. 6 at noon. To register, CLICK HERE! $20 per rider; $25 after Oct. 25.
Santa Calling - Dec. 7
Available in English and SpanishJames City County Parks & Recreation offers “phone calls from Santa” on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 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 who completes a registration form by Wednesday, Dec. 1. Santa will attempt to call children between 5:45-8 p.m.; however, specific call times cannot be guaranteed due to Santa’s holiday schedule. Please be available and keep phone lines open during this time. Registration are available at the Recreation Centers, Chickahominy Riverfront Park, Satellite Services in Toano, Freedom Park Interpretive Center and online.
Breakfast (or Brunch) with Santa - Dec. 11
James City County Recreation Center
You and your family are invited to attend "Breakfast (or Brunch) with Santa." To maintain social distancing, we have limited seating capacities and only families will be seated together. Enjoy a morning of “holly-day” cheer with Santa. Socially distanced photo opportunities available. Registration required by Dec.1. Max 50 people per seating. *Please register everyone who is attending (adults and children) to ensure their seat – fee includes special gift for each attendee.
- Breakfast: 8:30 - 10 a.m.
- Brunch: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Concessionaires
You are invited to be a community or merchandise concessionaire at our annual events. Events currently accepting applications are listed below.
Please note, community and merchandise concessionaires are accepted on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to be added to the concessionaire list and receive emails about upcoming events accepting applications, contact joy.johnson@jamescitycountyva.gov.
Community Concessionaire
A community concessionaire is defined as an organization or business wanting to provide information to the general public. This designation does not allow sales of any kind.
Merchandise Concessionaire
A merchandise concessionaire is defined as an organization or business wanting to sell products, to include, but not limited to: jewelry, clothing, custom artwork or crafts, oils, packaged goods, etc.
Food Truck & Table Top Concessionaires
Food trucks or table top concessionaires are also accepted at most events. If interested, please contact Special Events Coordinator, Joy Johnson, at joy.johnson@jamescitycountyva.gov prior to submitting an application.
Upcoming Events
- Please check back soon!