City & the Sports Backers Partner to Host RVA Streets Alive! Festival

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and the Sports Backers Executive Director, Jon Lugbill joined 6th District Councilwoman Ellen Robertson and Richmond City Health District Director, Dr. Donald Stern today in announcing that the Mayor’s Healthy Richmond Campaign and the Richmond City Health District are partnering with the Sports Backers to host the inaugural RVA Streets Alive!. The festival will be held on Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event is open to the public, and was created to promote and celebrate active and healthy lifestyles throughout communities by opening up roads and streets safely to the public for physical activity.

“We are excited to announce RVA Streets Alive! in the city of Richmond. This event will provide an interactive platform to celebrate the active lifestyle that is vitally important to the health of our city,” says Mayor Jones. “With fitness and movement as its centerpiece, this outdoor health fair is the beginning of a unique Richmond tradition.”

During RVA Streets Alive! a 2.5-mile loop on city streets will be closed to automobile traffic to allow residents and visitors to use these streets to be active through running, walking, biking, and many other physical activities. Vendors will be on-site offering health and fitness information and interactive demonstrations.

“This is one event that all Richmonders can take part in, no matter what their fitness preference is,” commented Jon Lugbill. “Whether you are a runner, a biker, or a yoga enthusiast, the road is open for you.”

The event will close the southbound lanes of the Manchester Bridge, bearing left onto Commerce Road. At Hull Street, the course turns left and crosses the 14th Street Bridge to Canal Street, where the course continues left to Virginia Street. At Virginia Street, the course will make a left, turn up to go across the canal before turning right along the flood wall, through the parking lot and up to Byrd Street, where it will reconnect with the Manchester Bridge to complete the loop.

“We invite all Richmonders to join us for RVA Streets Alive!, and to come learn more about ways to live an active, healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Donald Stern. “By working together and collaborating in the home, in our schools, and in the community, we are working to provide opportunities for Richmonders of all ages to engage in regular physical activity and turn the tide against obesity and chronic diseases.”

For more information about RVA Streets Alive!, or to sign up to be a vendor, please visit: www.sportsbackers.org.