Parks & Recreation invites you to a great season of opportunities for all ages and abilities! The Fall 2019 edition of Destination Recreation highlights all of the department’s offerings through December, hundreds of chances to have fun and get fit. Our outdoor community is a treasure, so get outside for nature walks and talks, a movie night, gardening discussions, adventure programs and tours of our local, state and national parks as well as a host of special events (see below). When the temperature cool, come inside our centers for a wide variety of fitness and wellness programs plus classes, activities and events of all interests.
Please spend a few minutes with this edition of Destination Recreation and share it with your family and friends. If you choose to participate in our programs or visit our parks, you can improve your health and sense of well-being, engage in new activities and provide unique outlets to play and to learn individually or as a family.
Copies of the brochure can be viewed online or picked up at the James City County Recreation Center, the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center, the Satellite Services Office in Toano, the Freedom Park Interpretive Center, County parks, all public County government offices and at the James City County and Williamsburg libraries.
For information and registration details, call 757-259-4200 or visit jamescitycountyva.gov/recreation. If there’s a program you don’t see but would like to see offered, please email us.
Join us for these favorite fall special events!
Harvest Festival & Scarecrow Stuffing • All ages
Saturday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
$5/car; $20 /scarecrow (cash or check only)
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Come enjoy quality family time and the fall sights and activities at our annual Harvest Festival! Arts and crafts, food ($), games, pony rides ($), a petting zoo, inflatables and much more! Our featured activity, Scarecrow Stuffing (includes all supplies), will be back! Make the biggest, the best, and maybe the only scarecrow in your neighborhood! First-come, first-served while supplies last. Cash/check only. Don’t forget your camera! *Weather permitting
James Riverfest • All ages • Free!
Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Jamestown Beach Event Park
Join us for free, fun and hands-on educational activities for the whole family! Presented in partnership with the James River Association, James Riverfest is a family environmental festival promoting protection of and recreation on the James River! *Weather permitting
Black Settlement Presentation & Book Signing • All ages • Free!
Saturday, Sept. 28, 3-4 p.m.
Freedom Park Interpretive Center
Colonel Lafayette Jones Jr., a descendant of those who lived on the Free Black at Freedom Park, presents an oral history passed down through the years by his ancestors covering what life was like at the site during the 18th century, more than 60 years before the Emancipation Proclamation.
Capital Color Ride • All ages
Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
$10/participant
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
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. Register by Sept. 27 and SAVE, only $5 ($10 after Sept. 27). Registration includes a free shirt (while supplies last) and lunch. For more information and registration forms, check out or call 757-259-5355. 810102-A. *Weather permitting
Boo Bash at the Beach • All ages
Saturday, Oct. 19, 1-4 p.m.
$5/car (cash or check only)
Jamestown Beach Event Park
Enjoy a day at the beach with a Halloween twist! Costumes welcome. Trick- or-Treating onsite for ages 12 and younger. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Also enjoy hands-on activities, music, games, food for purchase and more! Pumpkin-carving and decorating ($) available first- come, first-served while supplies last. *Weather permitting
Skate Jam After Hours • All ages
Friday, Oct. 25, 4-8 p.m.
$10/participant
Skate Park (adjacent to the James City County Recreation Center)
Check out the Skate Park in a whole different light! This glow-themed night will include a skate competition broken down into beginner, intermediate and advanced divisions where participants are judged on style, flow and difficulty of run. Warm-ups begin at 4 p.m. Registration is required for admittance into the park. Register by Oct. 18 and SAVE, only $5 ($10 after/onsite) 510251-A. *Weather permitting
Movie Under the Stars • All ages • Free!
Friday, Oct. 25, 7-8:15 p.m.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Enjoy a great box office title out under the sky! Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks…and we’ll bring the stars. Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Scheduled feature: The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG); movies subject to change. *Weather permitting
Live Well Expo • All ages • Free!
Friday, Nov. 1, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
James City County Recreation Center
Pamper your mind, body and spirit while taking advantage of FREE preventive health screenings during this annual event! Explore a variety of health and leisure services for age 55+ and their caregivers.
Santa Calling • Ages 9 & younger • Free!
Tuesday, Dec. 10, 5:45-8 p.m.
Jams City County Parks & Recreation is sponsoring “Phone Calls from Santa” for children ages 9 and younger living in James City County and Williamsburg. Arrangements have been made with the North Pole for Santa to personally call each child who returns their completed form by Tuesday, Dec. 3. Registration forms available (English and Spanish) beginning Nov. 1 at the Recreation Centers, Satellite Services in Toano, Freedom Park Interpretive Center, Chickahominy Riverfront Park and online.
Breakfast with Santa • All ages
Saturday, Dec. 14, 9-11 a.m.
$12/participant for ages 3+
James City County Recreation Center
You and your family are invited to attend our annual“Breakfast with Santa.” Enjoy a pancake breakfast buffet and a morning of “holly”-day cheer with Santa. Photo opportunities available. Registration required by Dec. 1. Please register everyone who is attending to ensure their seat. Max 100 people. Ages 3+, $12, 412000-A; ages 2 & younger, free, 412000-B.
Jr. NBA Skills Challenge • Ages 6-13 • Free!
Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m.-noon
James City County Recreation Center
This nationwide program is a fun way to lace up the basketball shoes and test your skills against other local players! The competition consists of a one-minute timed drill and shots from multiple, pre-determined locations around the court. The top three participants in each age group are eligible to move on to the regional tournament, and from there to an all-expense paid trip to the skills challenge championships! Aging date for each participant is their age on Aug. 31, 2020, not their current age. Preregistration is highly recommended as spaces are limited. 11 & Younger (Born on or After Sept. 1, 2008), 502210-A; Ages 12-13 (Born Sept. 1, 2005 through Aug. 31, 2008), 502210-B.
Family Health Fair • All ages • Free!
Saturday, Jan. 25, 9 a.m.-noon
James City County Recreation Center
Join The Arc of Greater Williamsburg at the Recreation Center and learn about the health benefits our community has to offer to you and your family! Enjoy activities for all ages, healthy recipes and cooking demonstrations, giveaways, nutrition workshops and Zumba and Yoga demonstrations. If you’re interested in presenting as a vendor or would like more information, please email Pam McGregor.
*Outdoor Events, Weather Permitting
Please call the Activities Hotline at 757-259-3232 if inclement weather is in the forecast.
For the complete list of Parks & Recreation programs and events and registration information for all activities, please visit our website or call 757-259-4200 (unless otherwise noted).
Program Locations:
Media Contact:
Veda McMullen, Senior Communications Specialist
757-259-5415; veda.mcmullen@jamescitycountyva.gov