Tickets will be sold at the gate, Macy’s & the Ukrop’s on Laburnum and the Ukrop’s on Forest Hill.
No coolers or alcohol allowed (alcohol beverages, food will be available inside the event).
Lawnchairs are allowed.
We look forward to seeing you at the 3rd Annual 80’s Was The Greatest Old Skool Music Festival on Brown’s Island.
Brown’s Island is surrounded by the James River on the South and the Haxall Canal on the North. The main public entrance is located at the corner of 7th and Tredegar streets. The vehicle entrance for deliveries, event vendors and bands is located just west of 5th and Tredegar streets.
From the north and west:
Take 64 east to 95 south or just 95 south to the 3rd Street/Coliseum/Downtown Exit #75. You will be on 3rd Street. Go about 1 mile and at the 11th light, make a left on Byrd Street. Once over the hill, take your first right, this is 5th Street. 5th street dead ends into Brown’s Island in about 1/4 mile. Parking is recommended prior to reaching Brown’s Island along 5th street between Byrd and Tredegar or in the Federal Reserve lot on your left which stretches between 5th and 7th streets along Byrd and Tredegar. The Brown’s Island public entrance is to your left.
From the east:
Take 64 west to the 5th Street/Downtown/Coliseum Exit #190. Proceed straight through traffic light, you’ll be on 5th Street. Take 5th street for 1 mile until it dead ends into Brown’s Island. Parking is recommended prior to reaching Brown’s Island along 5th street between Byrd and Tredegar or in the Federal Reserve lot on your left which stretches between 5th and 7th streets along Byrd and Tredegar. The Brown’s Island public entrance is to your left.
From the south: (OPTION 1)
Take 95 north to the Broad Street Exit #74C. Take the West/Coliseum direction. After a ramp takes you towards the right, you will then merge on to Broad Street. At the 5th traffic light, take a left on 8th Street. Take 8th street to the 5th light and make a right on Byrd Street. Take Byrd Street to the 2nd light and make a left on 5th Street. 5th street dead ends into Brown’s Island in about one-half mile. Parking is recommended prior to reaching Brown’s Island along 5th street between Byrd and Tredegar or in the Federal Reserve lot on your left which stretches between 5th and 7th streets along Byrd and Tredegar. The Brown’s Island public entrance is to your left.
From the south: (OPTION 2)
Take the Powhite North. Once through main 50-cent toll, bear right towards downtown. Take 195/Downtown Expressway through another 50-cent toll. Take the second exit, which says 2nd and Byrd streets. You are now on Byrd Street. Get into the right lane. Once over the hill, take your first right, this is 5th Street. 5th street dead ends into Brown’s Island in about 1/4 mile. Parking is recommended prior to reaching Brown’s Island along 5th street between Byrd and Tredegar or in the Federal Reserve lot on your left which stretches between 5th and 7th streets along Byrd and Tredegar. The Brown’s Island public entrance is to your left.
Or use Mapquest: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?form=directions&2pn=Browns%20Island&2c=Richmond&2s=VA&2y=US&2l=37.534035&2g=-77.440261&2id=13630015
Geography
Brown’s island was formed in 1789 with the beginnings of the Haxall Canal. For many years, there were two islands, Brown’s and Johnson’s Island with a spillway in between. Today, the islands are one.
Pre-Industrial
The island’s first settler was Elijah Brown, for whom it was named. He acquired the land in 1826. A later owner named Neilson tried to rename the island as Neilson’s Island, but it did not last.
Industrial Age
In 1894, the Richmond Union Passenger Railway opened a coal power plant on the island. In 1899, Dominion Virginia Power opened a hydroelectric power plant on the island’s east side, running off the Haxall Canal. Virginia Power also opened a coal power plant nearby in 1936.
The trolley company’s plant did not last long, but reopend in 1916 as the Dixie Paper Mill
In the 1950s and 60s, electricity production at the hydroelectic plant decreased, and ended altogether in 1968. In 1969, the coal plant was damaged and shut down by flooding from Hurricane Camille. In 1970, the spillway between Johnson’s and Brown’s Islands was closed and the islands merged. Hurricane Agnes also flooded and closed the coal power plant in 1972, and the plant was closed altogether in 1975.
Park
In 1987, the island became part of the city’s James River Park. In 1993, Paul Di Pasquale’s sculpture Headman was erected on the island’s East side. The Dominion Virginia Power coal plant was renovated in 2005.
Sightseeing
Beside being a music venue, the island is also home to pathways and is a popular place for sightseeing. Visible from the island is the Belle Isle, the Manchester Bridge, and the ruins of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Bridge. The Rivanna Subdivision Trestle crosses the island, making it a popular destination for railfans, too.
A walkway extends south from the island into the James River, and another extends north along the Brown’s Island Dam.
More Info @ www.brownsisland.com
Tickets are available online now (suggested) at http://www.ticketmaster.com/Naughty-By-Nature-Doug-E-Fresh-Slick-Rick-Chubb-Rock-Trouble-Funk-tickets/artist/1331458 or at the gate the day of the 3rd Annual 80’s Was The Greatest event on Brown’s Island.
