James River Batteau Festival
A James River Batteau at Scottsville. Photo by Lauren Turek. Courtesy Scottsville Museum.
This year marks the 34th Annual James River Batteau Festival. Beginning on Saturday, June 15 and continuing through Saturday, June 22. Batteau Night in Scottsville is 19 June 2019. According to the Scottsville Museum website:
This festival features authentic replicas of the sleek, shallow-draft merchant boats which were used during the late 1700’s to transport tobacco, grain, and other goods on the James River from areas of central Virginia. Each year a small fleet of batteau travel 120 miles from Lynchburg to Richmond, stopping mid-way in Scottsville for music, fun, and festivities. Batteau will begin arriving in Scottsville in mid-afternoon on Wednesday, 19 June, and tie up at Scottsville’s Ferry Street public boat landing. Visitors can also stroll along the levee by the James River in Scottsville while waiting for the batteau to arrive. Music concerts at Canal Basin Square begin at 4pm and end at 8pm.
Scottsville Museum will be open on Batteau Day from 1-8 PM. Stop in an enjoy the exhibits and meet other local history enthusiasts.
Autographed copies of my newest book, Peter Field Jefferson: Dark Prince of Scottsville & Lost Jeffersons will be for sale at the museum. Pick up a copy, support the museum, learn more about Scottsville and one of its most eccentric citizens.
slate river ramblings . . . . 
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