35th ANNUAL – JUNE 20-27, 2020.
The batteaux traveled from Bent Creek to Wingina on Monday. The batteau Anthony Rucker had some trouble along the way somehow getting stuck on some rocks and a major board along the waterline broke off the boat causing it to sink and the crew to scramble and gather all gear/boxes while other crews helped secure…
Arriving at the Galt’s Mill site of the James River Batteau Festival a little before 7:00 AM, I saw the sun rising almost over the mountain in the distance. The campsite was busy with people getting ready for the day. Once again the Amelon United Methodist Church prepared pancakes and sausage for breakfast and I…
The Batteaux slowly made their way to Percival’s Island from Rucker’s Landing. Crowds formed along the bank of the island. The day was cloudy and the water a brown cast from recent rains. Jeff Taylor was on the bank to announce the start of the festival once again. Many old friends reunited and last minute…
The 2017 James River Batteau Festival is almost here! Most of the batteaux are in the water and on Friday afternoon several more arrived and were launched from Rucker Landing at Rivers Edge Park in Amherst County, VA. Many long time batteau friends were gathering by the river with handshakes and hugs! Gail Timberlake and…
Claudia Tucker Chairwoman of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors gave a nice presentation to begin the dedication ceremony. The following are her remarks we are publishing here with her permission: “Good afternoon! I am here on behalf of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors to join in the festivities of the day but also…
Please see messerlyphoto.com if you want to order custom prints of any of the above photos. 12×18, 8×10 and 5×7 sizes available. 20% discount code = BATTEAU . Thank you!
The 2017 JRBF brochure is available here for free download if you would like to print out your own copy(s). Thank you to Nancy Marion for preparing the brochure once again. Click here to download the 2017 JRBF Brochure. Andrew Shaw will be getting copies of this brochure and some posters. Contact him for…
Long time batteau captain, Mr. Ed Barbour has his batteau stuff for sale. Some JRBF members received a copy of this email already, so we aren’t sure what items are still available. Ed used to go down the river with a very authentic look and had great batteau stuff. Please contact him to discuss what…
Several of the Batteaux who participate in the annual James River Batteau Festival will be helping the James River Association on October 22nd, 2016 to clean out tires from the James River from Howardsville to Scottsville. Canoeists and Kayakers are welcome to join in the fun. All help is appreciated! All boaters are asked if…
Palmyra Lock Cleanup November 12, 2016 Begin at 9:00 am The lock is located behind the Fluvanna County Courthouse at 72 Main Street, Palmyra, Virginia. VC&NS past President, Mr. Brian Coffield, is planning a canal lock cleanup event at the Palmyra Lock on the Rivanna River. This is a great opportunity for members to be…
Wow, Look at the actual data on the above chart. See how the level changed from Friday to Saturday and then Sunday. This graph shows that the predictions from up-river of a big flush of water on the way were really accurate. Thanks to everyone for taking precautions ahead of this water. Photos above by…
The 31st annual James River Batteau Festival came to an end for most of the batteau groups at Cartersville. Some groups decided to continue on to Maiden’s. The big rains in the mountains is causing the river to rise and based on the reports up-stream and predictions of high water, most of the batteaux are…
Please review the following National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service from the National Weather Service website for the James River, saved at 1:10 Pm on Friday. The river is expected to rise greatly by Saturday in Cartersville. That might mean a very high situation on Saturday for the journey to Maidens. This situation may…
Photos above from the Hardware River boat ramp which is between Scottsville and Slate River. Thursday morning in Scottsville was very wet as a big storm hit during the early hours. Rain continued to fall during the morning while the batteaux loaded up to head down-river. Ralph Smith was helpful to the crew of the…
The batteaux came into Scottsville Wednesday evening and were greeted by many local people. There were many nice vendors set up along the camp by the river. Musicians played string music under a new wooden open style awning near the canoe ramp. Children strolled along the walkway with their parents, some wanting to go in…
Howardsville was pleasant as usual on Tuesday afternoon. The Howardsville Ladies Club (the name I gave them) were in their usual perch above the beach with their lawn chairs and snacks and beverages visiting and waiting for the Batteaux to arrive. It was so nice to visit with them again. The rain came in the…
Wingina was cool this morning as the camp came back to life. The ice man came by and took orders for ice and later delivered with his little red wagon. The Maple Run crew had a nice campfire and were cooking steak and eggs. The Troop 700 Boy Scouts were busy packing their gear and…
Wingina was beautiful and peaceful under the canopy of trees along the walkway by the James River on Monday afternoon. The Lovingston Volunteer Fire Department cooked chicken in a large smoker. Mr. Wood, the landowner for the Wingina Site, sat by the river with some of his friends. Many batteau people went up to him…
The Bent Creek Site on Monday morning was cool and some fog. The Ice Man came around taking orders for ice and was nice and delivered. Munley from Mason’s boat crew was pounding on a piece of old metal in the ground and finally got it out so people wouldn’t get hurt on it. The…
Galt’s Mill was beautiful when I arrived Sunday Morning. The sun was out and the air was clear and cool. Some people said that they got cold during the night and that there was a big fog earlier. The batteaux were getting ready to go and several Boy Scout troops had their canoes packed and…