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WYSIWYG HTML EditorThe mission of Goochland Day Foundation is to enhance and recognize Goochland County’s history, development, and achievements while maintaining community unity and equity. We endeavor to host an annual event, partnered with the County and other not-for-profits and for-profits that highlights all Goochland neighbors and allows an opportunity to create comradery, boosts spirits, and create goodwill.
Goochland Day Foundation Inc. (GDF) is currently not a Goochland County appropriated organization. The Foundation is an independent 501c3 service to the community by volunteers that have an undeniable love for Goochland and a Foundation that can allow a free and inclusive Goochland all-encompassing event which includes ABC permitting.
Saturday, May 20th, 2023, Goochland day will start with a parade from 10am starting from Six Pence: 2913 River Rd W, Goochland, VA 23063 traveling west through the courthouse down to the YMCA, Dickenson Rd dispersing at Reynolds then transitioning to the festival from 11am – 3pm at the Goochland Sports Complex (GSC), 1898 Sandy Hook Rd, Goochland, VA 23063.
Parking can be found at the following locations and two GCPS School Buses will be operational and stop at the following locations every 15 minutes. ADA parking is available at the Goochland County Administration Building and first come first serve.
General Parking
County Administration Buildings (ADA Parking)
Goochland Elementary School
Goochland Holiness Church
Goochland Cares
Fairgrounds Parking Lot
Parking and Bus Shuttle Stops*
Goochland High/Middle School Complex*
YMCA*
Reynolds* (Parade Entry Parking Only)
Fairgrounds Lot*
Vendor Parking Only
Goochland Elementary School Track
Towing is enforced by an unaffiliated party at the Food Lion Parking Lot.
We are a pay-as-you-go festival and most kid entertainment is kept free by our gracious sponsors and community philanthropists.
Application fees for vendors and parade participants are not a profit for GDF and go directly into supporting the actual costs of the event, which include port-o-potties, wash stations, ABC permits, Goochland County Sheriff’s Office, VDOT fees, event insurance, marketing expenses, Goochland County Public Schools bus shuttles, entertainment, inflatables, etc. This is not a money-making venture for the foundation.
Port-a-potties are located throughout the Goochland Sports Complex and in the non-operational concession stand by the upper baseball field. Two port-a-potties will be located by the archery shop at the start of the parade for public use. Please check with other nearby businesses who may be open and available during the parade.
We politely ask that you leave your furry friend(s) at home. With large crowd sizes expected, we find it’s best to keep foot traffic to humans. The Goochland Day Parade and Festival accepts no liability for any incidents involving pets and County restrictions apply. As always, please clean up after your pet.
We have carnival games and many inflatables for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Adrenaline Rush Extreme
Hungry Hippo Chow Down*
Trackless Train
Skeeball
Bull Ride
Fun Derby*
Goochland Games - Field Day Games (pre-registration required)
Gladiator Joust
Leaps and Bounds Ninja*
Meltdown*
Basketball
Parental and User Discretion: Please use at your own risk. Keep in mind that most of the festival space will be grass and all County restrictions apply.
No outside alcoholic beverages or coolers are permitted. Please join our local liquid libations from Elk Hill Winery, Courthouse Creek Cidery, Hilltop Distillery, and Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery – all local businesses - as they prepare your favorites. You will be allowed to enjoy the festival with your beverage, but all other Virginia laws apply. Permits will be posted.
Everywhere is a good spot! Plan your morning and catch breakfast at a local grill in Goochland Courthouse then camp out and wait for the parade. Please keep the sidewalks clear and remember to pick up your trash. Meet your neighbors and enjoy the camaraderie along Rt 6. Please plan your parking, parade, and festival day according to your energy level.
10am-11am, Rt. 6 from Maidens Rd through the Courthouse to Reynolds/Dickenson Road ending at the light at Rt. 522 - Cross County Road will be closed during the parade.
11am-3pm, the section of Goochland Sports Complex/Farmers Market from the Rt. 6/Rt. 522 intersection light and Rt. 522/Fairgrounds Road intersection will be closed during the festival to allow attendees more freedom and accessibility to enjoy vendors, activities, entertainment, a trackless train, car show, animal exhibits, food and drink, music and more in the areas of and vicinity surrounding the Goochland Sports Complex.
Please plan to detour using Bulldog Way, Maidens Rd., and Fairground Rd. as detours. We apologize for any convenience.
You can email us at contact@goochlanday.com
Fill out a contact form!
No, if you need either of these please bring your own.
The original Goochland Day was held by Goochland County’s Volunteer Fire and Rescue in 1950s and was done so to raise money for a fire truck. It was because Dover Baptist Church in Crozier burned down in 1951. For a period, the Goochland Chamber of Commerce organized the event on the Courthouse Green.
No, golf cart use is reserved for certain approved festival vendors, volunteers, and first responders only.
Seeking something misplaced or someone during the festival, please check with the Goochland Day Foundation Information Tent located at upper field / north entrance of the Sports Complex by the baseball field. Seeking Items left after the festival – Email: contact@goochlandday.org
We always welcome more volunteers! If you’re interested in helping us, please reach out to Carey Stagg at GoochlandDayParade@gmail.com / contact@goochlandday.org or 804-247-3925.
Please see our Sponsorship Page for more information.
Sponsors allow for us to pay for advertisements, county permits, security and safety police, utilities and insurance, entertainment, marketing materials, and so much more. Goochland Day Foundation is IRS recognized as a 501(c)3 Public Charity. Please complete the application or email your company logo and sponsor info and we will start sharing your kindness and support of Goochland Day!
Each monetary sponsor is included with appropriate sizing on volunteer t-shirts, website, Facebook, and master banner. Sponsors may receive a parade entry and vendor spaces included in their agreement as approved. In-kind sponsors are welcome to discuss unique benefit options for partnering with Goochland Day.
A new 2023 Application is under way!
Thank you for your interest!
Vendor spaces consists of a 10x10 ground area. You will need to bring your own Tent, Table, and Chairs.
A new 2023 Application is under way!
Thank you for your interest!
Parade units are defined as, one "unit" under 40 feet: this can include but is not limited to: a vehicle, band, horse group, carts, and may include a trailer/float. Parade applications are subject to acceptance and must submit their payment for consideration. Once accepted, the Goochland Day Foundation will consider this a non-refundable donation. If not accepted, your fee will be refunded. Goochland Day is held rain or shine. No hate groups political campaigns or organizations that seek to change the law will be allowed to participate in the parade
A new 2023 Application is under way!
Thank you for your interest!
No. Goochland Day Foundation (GDF) is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization with direct oversight by Board volunteers who are unpaid and have a passion for Goochland. GDF is unaffiliated with Goochland County and cannot operate successfully without the support and approval of Goochland County, so we embrace the partnership. GDF received in-kind support for Goochland Day at a Diamond Level Sponsor.
Goochland Day Festival and Parade is a distant and nostalgic memory for most residents as it stopped around 1996 due to (hearsay): lack of volunteers, traffic and road closure complaints, littering, loitering, and possibly transitioned to the evolution of Goochland County Parks and Recreation who host July 4th Fireworks and the Fall Festival. Other county-wide events may have played a part in filling the void left by the original dissolution of Goochland such as Field Day of the Past held in Centerville, VA and lasted from 1992-2019 over 3-days in September annually. In 2021 the Field Day of the Past organization moved to Redfield Farms in Amelia, VA while Rassawek and its 3-day events, Spring Jubilee and Fall Harvest Festival, grew to prosper in Fife, VA along the line of Fluvanna, VA.
Over 20 years later, and after many suggestions that Goochland Day be resurrected, four very special and dedicated parents, Ms. Janet Neterer, Ms. Ledra Allen, Ms. Gina Saunders, and Ms. Elizabeth Nelson-Lyda, lit it back up while officers of the 501(c)3 GHS PTSA in 2018. To bring back this comradery and neighborly affection, they held two festivals (May 5, 2018 and May 11, 2019) at the Goochland High School. COVID canceled plans for 2020. Albeit COVID delayed, this extra time allowed for the idea to morph and become an independent organization, the Goochland Day Foundation Inc., where the Board and Committees celebrated their promise to the Community to host a short Parade and large footprint Festival [test-run] on September 25, 2021! The Board confirmed the initiative had grown exponentially and the parade was well-received.
Goochland Day Foundation is planning a united celebration for Goochland’s Tricentennial Birthday – May 8, 2027!
Appendix:
Firehouse history: https://goochlandhistory.wordpress.com/tag/goochland-day/
Dover Baptist Church’s history: http://www.goochlandhistory.org/uploads/May2015NewsletterPortrait.pdf
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