Mayor announces “RVA Fireworks on the James” festivities

Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Dominion CEO Thomas Farrell, and MWV CEO John A. Luke addressed a small crowd on an overcast late morning to announce the upcoming “RVA Fireworks on the James.” The event will be held at Belle Isle in Downtown Richmond on July 3, 2011, and will be billed as “Patriotic Family Fun.”

May 20, 2011; 12:54 PM • by RVANews staff

Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Dominion CEO Thomas Farrell, and MWV CEO John A. Luke addressed a small crowd on an overcast late morning to announce the upcoming “RVA Fireworks on the James.” The event will be held at Brown’s Island in Downtown Richmond on July 3, 2011, and will be billed as “Patriotic Family Fun.”

Fortune 500 companies Dominion and MWV (MeadWestvaco) are sponsoring the event as part of the city’s broader 4th of July festivities. “We wanted to be part of a very special environment,” said John A. Luke, adding that Brown’s Island, location of the fireworks display, is a “very special place.” The city will contribute no cost to the particular event; Dominion and MWV are underwriting all costs.

“The [James] River is still under served,” said Thomas Farrell, whose company, Dominion, is headquartered in the Downtown area, as is MWV. “The James River geographically divides our city and region. On July 3, it will bring together tens of thousands of people from across our region to celebrate 235 years of our nation’s independence.” He hopes that the event will become a tradition.

Grucci, a five-generation, family owned business based in New York, will provide the fireworks. They have also produced firework events for several U.S. presidential inaugurations, as well as the world’s largest fireworks program ever produced for the grand opening of Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah. “That big,” said Ferrell of the event, which will likely be the largest fireworks display ever held in Virginia.

Mayor Jones said that the display “will take place on the river…with the spectacular view of our skyline.” The upcoming event will add to other notable fireworks events, such as the Flying Squirrels display at the Diamond, as well as the those of Dogwood Dell, at Byrd Park. The event is not meant to undermine these events, but rather showcase the uniqueness of the downtown area.

Local vendors will sell food and beverages. Further information can be found at fireworksonthejames.com.

May 20, 2011 12:54 PM 4