Prepare to witness history with the 39th Annual James River Batteau Festival

LYNCHBURG, Virginia. – Hundreds of people head to James River in Lynchburg on Saturday, June 15 to see more than a dozen boats set sail during the 39th annual James River Batteau Festival which begins at 9 a.m.

The event, hosted by Lynchburg Parks and Recreation, is partnering this year with the Virginia Canals and Navigations Society.

People build wooden batteaux or boats, then sail them across the James River to Maiden’s Landing, which is just outside of Richmond.

“Any time I can get out on the river it’s a good time, but specifically at the festival there’s a lot of camaraderie. A lot of teamwork and a lot of community,” said Dan Tucker of the Virginia Canals and Navigations Society.

The trip lasts them about eight days.

Event organizers said the wooden boats represented history. They were used in the 1700s and 1800s to transport tobacco along the James River to Maiden’s Landing.

There will be 13 boats this year that people will build. Lynchburg Parks and Recreation said if you help build one of the boats, you will be able to ride on it during the eight-day trip.

However, if you haven’t, you can still bring your boats, such as kayaks, plastic boats, and canoes.

There are also plenty of things to do for families on Saturday.

“We will celebrate the launch with educators. We’re going to have coffee. We’re going to eat ice cream there. There will be giveaways and then at 11 a.m. they will launch the boats for their trip to Richmond,” said Hannah Rathje, community recreation supervisor for Lynchburg Parks and Recreation.