Scottsville Batteau Festival

The Scottsville Batteau Festival (part of the 29th Annual James River Batteau Festival) is an all-day celebration in the historic Town of Scottsville, on the famous Horseshoe Bend of the James River. With a full lineup of live music, food vendors, artisans, crafters, kids activities, demos, displays, historic walking tours, community dance, and MORE!...the festival honors the rich tradition of the traditional, flat-bottomed, long wooden boats - called "Batteau" - which were used to transport tobacco, grain, and other goods on The James River, during the period from 1775-1840.

Every June, a flotilla of authentic replica batteau boats, with period-costumed crew, re-enacts the eight-day, 120-mile journey from Lynchburg to Richmond...camping at river towns along the way. Scottsville is the halfway point, with the batteaux docking at Ferry Street Public Boat Landing on June 18th, mid-late afternoon...dependent on river conditions.

The main festival takes place at Canal Basin Square (249 Main Street), from 2:00-7:00pm. More than 25 vendors will be on-site, including food and beverage offerings by Thistle Gate Vineyard, Mr. Miles Lemonade, Valentines Kettle Corn, Blue Ridge Pizza Co., The Pie Guy, Taco Shark, Pantheon Pops, and Peery's Natural Cheese.

The music kicks off at 2:00pm, on the intimate stage of Canal Basin Square, with a "Scottsville Showcase" – a local talent open mic. Acoustic singer/songwriter, John Tracy (johntracymusic.com), will be performing at 3:30pm, as part of his current album release tour. More great Folk/Americana music with Tara Mills (taramillsmusic.com) featuring Yankee Dixie at 5:00pm.

The live music continues at Scottsville Pavilion (125 Fleet Street) with a flat-footing, English country Community Dance and old-time, toe-tapping tunes by The Ridge Runners of Virginia. Tavern on the James (561 Valley Street) hosts an afternoon/evening of parking lot festivities and live music. James River Brewing Company (561 Valley Street) will feature live music in the beer garden and food trucks, along with their craft brews. Local rock band, Crowded Room (crowdedroomrocks.com) winds up the evening with a show at Tequila Sunrise (330 Valley Street), starting at 8:00pm.

The entire town welcomes the arrival of the historic batteax with a host of other activities, restaurant specials, sidewalk sales, and more. Scottsville Museum (290 Main Street) will be open from 1:00-8:00pm, featuring their special exhibit “Where The River Bends”. Take a walking tour of the historic district...featuring the finest collection of well-preserved Greek Revival, Colonial, and Craftsman homes, stores, and churches...which has earned the town a coveted spot on the National Register of Historic places.