Map of Lynchburg

Directions to Percival’s Island

Percival’s Island on the riverfront in downtown Lynchburg is the location for the Friday evening and Saturday AM events of the James River Batteau Festival. Again Lynchburg will host the kickoff of the Batteau Festival with the River of Time. Activities Friday PM begin at 7:00 and run through 11:00 and include a dinner meal. Saturday AM breakfast will be served and the festival runs from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Batteaux depart for the 120 mile trek to Richmond from Percival’s Island at noon.

• Coming 29 Expressway North or South, take the Main St. Exit towards Downtown
• Go through the first traffic light, turn right just before the 2nd traffic light on Washington St.
• Washington St. goes down a hill 1/4 mile and ends right in front of Percival’s Island

Directions to Riverfront Park (Smiley Block Ramp)

The 2001 Batteau Festival will be the first major use of the new boat ramp located in Amherst County directly across from the City of Lynchburg. This ramp was constructed with funding from Lynchburg City, Amherst County, and the State of Virginia and is the only public access to the river in close proximity to Lynchburg.

• Coming South on 29 Expressway turn onto 29 business just south of the K-Mart & Krogers shopping center
• Travel a mile or so towards Lynchburg until you start down a steep hill and see the John Lynch bridge crossing the James
• Take the only left turn available which is about 200 yards before you would cross the river
• Go about 100 yards and you will see the 29 Market on your left
• The road will bear to the right when it hits the river, you instead want to turn to the left
• Go about 100 yards and the Riverfront Park and Smiley Block Ramp will be on your right
• Note: As of the 2001 festival the only part of the park which is completed is the boat ramp. No other facilities are completed and there will likely be only a temporary sign indicating the entrance. Batteau captains should be aware that we do not have permission to leave our trailers on this property.
• Coming North on 29 Expressway take the first exit after you cross the James River. You will go left back towards 29 business. Turn left at the first light and you are on 29 business and can follow the directions above.