Richmond Virginia hosts fun events on Saturday July 31. Beginning at 8 AM (for captains)  at Rocketts Landing, decorated mega-canoes take to the James River in the Dragon Boat Festival. What are Dagon Boats?

Rocketts Landing is site for 7/31 Dragon Boat Race

Dragon boats are 40-foot human-powered canoes decorated with ornate Chinese dragon heads. Led by the rhythmic beat of a drum, teams consisting of 20 synchronized paddlers, one drummer, and one steersperson race the canoes 500m down the river. Interested? Register here! It’s a fun team event and, located just minutes from Downtown Richmond, Rocketts Landing is the perfect location to host Richmond’s first-ever dragon boat festival. The combination of an urban environment and nature guarantees you a truly one-of-a-kind racing experience! Crews consist of 20 paddlers and 1 drummer and can have up to 4 alternates. Teams will be allotted 2 practice sessions during the week leading up to the race and will be assigned a canoe, life jackets, paddles and a steersperson.  This event will feature a race for time, after which each team will be assigned a heat. based on their time.  Each team is guaranteed 3 races during the day (9 AM to 5 PM). Event is Free for spectators!

Buy your ducks and support Big Brothers Big Sisters

Later in the day, yellow rubber duckies take over Haxall Canal with the 21st Annual Big Brother Big Sister Duck race. Featuring up to 20,000 little, yellow, rubber ducks plummeting from the sky into the Haxall Canal at Brown’s Island.  Then the race begins as they start swimming toward the finish line, racing for prizes like a new car!  Its a full day of all kinds of free children’s activities, entertainment, an array of food, and of course, ducks! Ducks are still on sale at the following locations at the specified dates and times. Let’s get DUCKY!

Friday, July 23, 2010 – Blackfin Restaurant  9pm – 11pm

Friday, July 23, 2010 – Southside Speedway Chesterfield  6pm – 9pm

Saturday, July 24, 2010 – McGeorge Toyota West Broad Street  12noon – 2pm

Saturday, July 24, 2010 – Movieland Boulevard  1pm – 5pm

Sunday, July 25, 2010 – Kroger 6335 Mechanicsville Tnpk  11am – 2pm

Thursday, July 29, 2010 – Qdoba Willow Lawn  11am – 2pm

So, if you’d like to visit Richmond and want to know what’s happening in town, stay with us here at our Fan District Bed and Breakfast.  You’ll be treated to a fabulous stay, a hearty gourmet breakfast, and we’ll let you in on Richmond’s best kept secrets.