Brown’s Island Rentals
The application for Brown’s Island rentals may be downloaded from the PDF at the bottom of this page.
Venture Richmond will begin accepting applications regarding 2010 Brown’s Island rentals on Jan. 25, 2010.
You must have an event date that is at least 90 days from your application date in order for your rental application for Brown’s Island or the Canal Walk to be processed.
Did you know that Venture Richmond supports downtown events that draw more than 1,000,000 people each year? We champion the downtown area in all that we do and strive to bring events to the city that will showcase Richmond’s beautiful downtown riverfront.
However, Venture Richmond is not a special event company. We handle the rental of some beautiful and unique downtown spaces, but we do not serve as an event production company.
In preparing to rent Brown’s Island and the Canal Walk for a special event, we want to share with you all of the things you should consider before deciding to hold an event in one of our beautiful public spaces.
The venues available for rent:
- Brown’s Island
Brown’s Island is an amazing, waterfront space with six acres that can accommodate up to 8,000 people and provide a beautiful backdrop for many events. Some types of events held on the island include fundraising walks/runs, concerts and large-scale family events.
- Canal Walk
The Canal Walk is a beautiful venue that winds for more than a mile through downtown along the banks of the Haxall Canal, the river and the Kanawha Canal. The Turning Basin is located on Virginia Street, across the street from La Difference and at the front of the Vistas on the James condos. The Canal Walk gives you unprecedented access to the authentic history, dining and shopping experiences available in the city’s thriving River District.
Holding an event on Brown’s Island or the Canal Walk?
Putting on an event usually takes months of preparation, because of the need to consider the following:
Obtaining licenses and permits
In order to conduct any event on Brown’s Island or the Canal Walk, you will need to acquire several permits and/or licenses, including:
- $1,000,000 insurance policy through your insurance company.
- ABC license if you will serve or sell alcohol at your event.
- Health permit for the sales/distribution of any type of food at your event.
- Peddler’s License, if you plan to sell or have vendors sell any merchandise at your event.
- Building permits, when necessary, for staging or tenting that is larger than normal (the specs can be provided for you)
Each one of these licenses has an application process that takes several weeks to several months to complete. There are also fees associated with acquiring each of these permits.
- Parking/traffic and street closings
In order for event staff, volunteers, VIP’s and general event attendees to get to the event, they need to have a place to park. There are several different parking areas that accommodate different numbers of vehicles. Venture Richmond will gladly provide you with information about who to contact for each of these needs.
Security and fire/medical services
Venture Richmond helps you arrange basic security for the event. However, you are required to contact RMC three to six weeks prior to the event to ensure adequate security staffing for the number of attendees expected at the event. The cost of additional security is your responsibility.
Creating an event set up map/site plan
In order to hold an event, you must provide Venture Richmond with a copy of a site plan or event map of exactly where everything will be situated on Brown’s Island or the Canal Walk. This site plan must be presented to Venture Richmond 14 days prior to the date of the event. Failure to do so will mean cancellation of the event.
Setting up and taking down the event
The following is a list of things that many events held on Brown’s Island and the Canal Walk require:
- Staging
- Sound (speakers, microphones, sound mixer, sound board operator)
- Tents
- Tables/chairs
- Signage
- Tickets
Venture Richmond can provide you with a comprehensive list of local companies who can help set up particular needs for the event. But these and many other aspects of the event coordination and set up are the sole responsibility of the Brown’s Island or Canal Walk renter.
Payments for rental of each space
Rental fees for events include:
- Brown’s Island
- $4,500 for one day
- $1,650 fee to be able to set up your event the day before
- Canal
- $500 for one day
* These fees are current and are subject to change without notice.
A $200 application fee is due with the application to rent either space. If the event is rejected, the security deposit will be returned.
A security deposit of $2,000 is due 60 days prior to the event once your application has been approved.
Final payments for rental fees are due 60 days prior to the event. If the final payment is not made by this day, the event is subject to cancellation.
To apply to rent a space, complete and submit the application and $200 application fee.
I have read and understand the basic responsibilities for holding an event on either Brown’s Island or the Canal Walk. I also understand submitting an application does not guarantee that my event will be approved.