The “Gone to the Birds” festival was begun in 2008 when the City of Richmond and local bird enthusiasts and bird groups teamed up to create an urban experience that is unique in the United States. The festival marks the high point of thousands of Purple Martins rushing to roost next to the 17th St. Farmers’ Market in Historic Shockoe Bottom during the course of several weeks in July and August.
The festival was begun and promoted as a grass roots effort to showcase the unique experience of learning about Purple Martins and watching them gather in the sky above Church Hill and then rush into the Bradford Pear trees on 17th Street at dusk.
Word of the Purple Martins spread through the media and community and each night before and after the festival, anywhere from a few dozen to 200 people would show up. It became the talk of the town and everyone wanted to come Downtown to see the birds.
No one knows exactly when the Martins began showing up in Shockoe Bottom, but they became very visible in 2007 and the next year they began arriving in June and thus the idea for a festival moved from concept to reality.
PARKING
You can find free parking in the lot at 17th and Grace Streets, or $1 per hour across from Main Street Station (see map below). The first hour is free.
SPONSORED BY:
17th Street Farmer’s Market
Purple Martin Conservation Association
City of Richmond
Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association
Deluca Gelato
Omni Richmond Hotel
Richmond Audubon Society
Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
Virginia Society of Ornithology
CONTACT
Those interested in getting more information about the festival or wanting to set up interviews can contact:
George Bolos – 17th Street Farmers’ Market Manager – 804-646-7001 – george.bolos@richmondgov.com
Steve Osberger – s_osberger@yahoo.com
Sue Ridd – s.ridd@att.net
Jon Baliles – jonbaliles@gmail.com
MAP
View Larger Map
Photo Credit: David Grunfeld
