History Hot off the Press, News from Richmond, VA

Experience Wilderness in the Heart of the City in Richmond, Virginia May 13-14 at Dominion Riverrock 

Premier outdoor festival features extreme sporting events and music; new competitions include bouldering and stand-up paddleboarding
 
Richmond, Va (April 19) – The snow has melted, the birds are chirping, and the James River is roaring. What does that mean? It’s time for Dominion Riverrock in Richmond, Virginia! Now in its third year, Dominion Riverrock has quickly become the East Coast's premier outdoor lifestyle event, attracting more than 3,000 participants and 25,000 attendees to Richmond’s downtown riverfront. Join adventurists and athletes of all levels in Richmond May 13-14, 2011 as they compete in a variety of events including the MGD 64 Filthy 5k Mud Run, Red Bull Canal Crashers and Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Boulder Bash. Don’t leave Fido behind! The Eukanuba Ultimate Air Dogs competition features canines competing for distance, diving from a dock into a 25 foot pool. New to the event this year are bouldering and stand-up paddleboarding.

Runners race in the MGD 64 Filthy 5k Mud Run.

The party begins on Friday with performances by Big Gigantic and Perpetual Groove, the 5k mud run, and acrobatic kayak and freestyle bike competitions. Then, join in the fun Saturday in high-adrenaline activities both in and around the river – like the James River Scramble 10k trail run, mountain biking, kayaking, Ultimate Air Dogs and much more. The festival culminates with a performance by Yonder Mountain String Band. Also performing during the event is Josati; The Bush League; Psychobilly Cadillac; William Walter & Tucker Rogers; and People’s Blues of Richmond.

For those who want to continue the outdoor fun all summer long, Richmond is the place to be. The Richmond Region enjoys more than 550 acres of shoreline and islands, including most of the fall line of the James River. Rocks, rapids, meadows, and forests make for an area of unspoiled natural beauty – wilderness in the heart of the city – that can be enjoyed by jogging, biking, kayaking, tubing, rafting, bouldering, tree-climbing or even sunbathing on the shore.

Riverside Outfitters offers visitors the chance to explore the James River and its shoreline through kayak, canoe, tube and river board rentals or guided trips. Whitewater rafting trips and tree-climbing lessons are also offered. Adventure Challenge offers whitewater kayaking two-day beginner courses and private instructions for those looking for one-on-one training. At Peak Experiences, an introductory program allows novice climbers the chance to experience the sport of indoor rock-climbing on its 50 foot wall.

Richmond Region accommodations are offering Dominion Riverrock visitors fantastic rates for their stay.

•    Crowne Plaza: Located a few blocks from Brown’s Island and offering rooms from $89/night. To book mention “Riverrock” and call 804.788.0900.
•    Richmond Marriott: Located in the heart of downtown and offering rooms from $119/night. To book mention “Dominion Riverrock” and call 804.643.3400.

For more information and to register for events, please visit www.dominionriverrock.com. 

 

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About RMCVB
The Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (RMCVB), the official destination marketing and tourism organization for the Richmond Region, is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Region to meeting planners, tour operators and leisure travelers. RMCVB operates three Visitor Centers located at the Greater Richmond Convention Center downtown, the Richmond International Airport and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Hanover County.

More than 5.7 million people visit the Richmond Region annually, contributing more than $1.8 billion to the local economy. Tourism generates more than 26,000 jobs in the Richmond Region. For more information, visit www.VisitRichmondVA.com.