38th ANNUAL – JUNE 17-24, 2023
Thomas Jefferson and Dr. Bill Trout, both having slipped through the time portal, will engage in conversation on batteaux and canals, and will answer questions posed by Moderator Jeff Taylor and the audience. Jefferson is portrayed by Bill Barker, courtesy of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello. In 1977, Dr. Trout founded the Virginia Canals and…
The Galt’s Mill site of the 2019 James River Batteau Festival was great this morning. Another beautiful morning, slightly cool and real clear for taking photos! My dog Jake got to “GO” today to visit the batteaux and other batteau dogs. It’s hard to hold the camera and the dog at the same time but…
The weather was great for the start of the 2019 James River Batteau Festival. It was nice and clear and sunny, the river water was a good color, not muddy and conditions were just right! The batteaux slowly drifted down to Percival’s Island to wait for the official launch as they were announced by Jeff…
The 2019 James River Batteau Festival is ready to launch on Saturday! This evening batteaux were getting supplies and their boats ready to go in the morning! See you at Percival’s Island for the launch! Holt
The James River Batteau Festival began in Lynchburg, Virginia. The boats were lined up along the beach of Percival’s Island. Once again Jeff Taylor announced the boats and did a fantastic job as usual. The weather was perfect, the kind you only get once every few festivals! Everyone looked all clean and ready to go…
The second annual Amherst County Batteau Day was held beside Rucker Landing beside the James River on the Amherst County Side. The weather was beautiful as I toured the various period craft booths and groups such as the Daughters of the American Revolution and a nice group of ladies from the Legacy group. A man…
The 2015 James River Batteau Festival is almost ready to go! Last minute patching of holes with oakum, loading gear and boxes and of course hugs and handshakes all around! Many old friends happy to see one another once again! The crew of the Batteau Margaret Stevens were very excited as the new crew put…
Zoom Lens Gallery – Photos by Holt Messerly Regular Lens Gallery – Photos by Holt Messerly The river at Columbia was drifting along slowly and the sun shone bright with a few clouds here and there. The batteau Slate River came in and stopped for a short break before departing for Cartersville. After a while…
Zoom Lens Gallery – Photos by Holt Messerly 12…4► Regular Lens Gallery – Photos by Holt Messerly The sun shone brightly over the old timey James River this morning. As I drove across the Monacan Bridge there was beautiful fog in a patch by the river. Arriving at Galt’s Mill about 8:15am the crews were…
Zoom Lens Gallery – Photos by Holt Messerly Regular Lens Gallery – Photos by Holt Messerly Later in the evening in Galt’s Mill, the sun was a golden glow against the river and green trees on the opposite bank. The day on the river went well for most groups, however, there were a few issues.…
Friday night at the Boat Ramp at River’s Edge Park in Amherst County was calm and spirits were high. Old friends met new friends. I met a man named Bo on the batteau Rockfish Runner. He asked if I knew Brian Roberts. Later on when he and Brian and Brian’s brother came down the ramp…
The new Riveredge Park in Amherst County is the site of the boat ramp that the batteaux use to take the boats off their trailers and put into the river. My dog Jake and I came down on this Sunday Evening hoping to meet up with some of the old timey batteau people! Draper Lee…