Project: Five Forty-Seven is a FREE event celebrating the longest day of the year on Sunday, June 21, 2026!
Mark Your Calendars for Project Five Forty Seven: The Longest Day of Play!
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Various Locations (5:47 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.)*
June 21st is the longest day of the year, make time to play! JCC Parks and Recreation will have events staring with the rise and shine sun at 5:47 a.m and going till 11:59 PM*. They are offering free recreational activities and outdoor adventures all day including free access to their outdoor pools, free use of the Recreation Centers, free select group fitness classes and so much more! BUT!!!!! a few of them require registration – so they have a head count – they are still FREE make sure to read the events below and if you have to register – make sure to REGISTER!!
For program updates or cancellations, visit the Project: FiveFortySeven website and be sure to follow along on the Facebook event page. *Outdoor events are weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, please call the Activities Hotline at 757-259-3232 for any changes in the schedule.
Celebrate the summer solstice by joining James City County Parks & Recreation for 
Project:FiveFortySeven – the Longest Day of Play! June 21 is the longest day of the year. We’ll rise and shine at 5:47 a.m. as we cater to the sun and offer free recreational activities all day, including outdoor adventures, fitness classes, visits to our recreation centers and outdoor pools and so much more!
Come explore a new park or try out a new activity! June 21 is also Father’s Day, so bring out dad for some fun, too! Below is a sampling of our offerings – these listings are free; however, some require registration by June 14. First-come, first-served! Please note that programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or lack of minimum registration levels.
For the latest updates, follow us on social media: facebook.com/jccparks instagram.com/jccparks.
Free Amenity & Facility Access
Free Jamestown Beach Event Park Parking – 5:47 a.m.-Sunset | All Ages
Jamestown Beach Event Park
Spend the longest day of the year at Jamestown Beach Event Park! Non-resident parking fees will be waived for the Longest Day of Play! The beachfront park will open at sunrise, 5:47 a.m. and close at sunset. Ages 11 & younger require a parent or guardian onsite.
Paddlecraft Rentals – times vary (see below) | All Ages*
Chickahominy Riverfront Park (CRP)
James City County Marina (JCCM)
Jamestown Beach Event Park (JBEP)
Enjoy free paddlecraft rentals at three of our waterfront parks. Available rentals include single and tandem kayaks (CRP, JCCM, JBEP), standup paddleboards (JCCM) and canoes (JCCM, JBEP). Paddlecraft are available on a first-come, first-served basis, during normal operating hours and include life jackets. Note: Rentals are limited to one hour.
- CRP | 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
- JCCM | 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- JBEP | 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
*Renters must be age 18 or older or have a guardian age 18 or older sign the waiver. Children age 15 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian age 18 or older. Children ages 5-12 are permitted only on tandem kayak and canoe with a guardian age 18 or older.
Outdoor Pool Access – 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | All Ages
Chickahominy Riverfront Park Pool
Upper County Park Pool
We are waiving our pool fees for the day! Enjoy free pool access for everyone at both outdoor pools. Ages 11 & younger require a parent or guardian onsite.
James City County Recreation Center Access – 1-6 p.m. | All Ages*
James City County Recreation Center
Come visit one or both of our recreation centers. Non-members are able to take advantage of free amenity access to centers including basketball courts, fitness areas and more during normal operating hours.
*Ages 12 & younger must attend with a parent or guardian; must be 16 and older to sign in.
Scheduled Programs
Sunrise Yoga – 5:47-7 a.m. | Ages 14+ (13 & younger with parent/guardian)
Jamestown Beach Event Park
Begin your day by aligning your body and breathing in fresh air with your toes in the sand. Bring a yoga mat or a beach towel. All levels are welcome. Registration required.
Celebrate National Pollinator Week – 9-11 a.m. | All Ages
Veterans Park
Join us at the Pollinator Garden as we learn about the different types of pollinators and what we can do to attract and protect them. There will be plenty of family-friendly activities, including games, exhibits, crafts and take-home projects for kids of all ages. Ages 12 and younger require a parent or guardian. No registration required.
Fitness Court Orientation – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | All Ages*
Warhill Sports Complex
The Fitness Court is an outdoor circuit training center that uses bodyweight exercises and is designed for people of all ages and fitness levels. Join us for a free guided orientation; these sessions are designed to help you get comfortable using the equipment and learn proper exercise techniques. A certified instructor will guide you through a fun and informative session. No registration required.
Free Black Settlement Tour – 10-11 a.m. | All Ages
Freedom Park
Tour one of the first Free Black Settlements in the United States, located within Freedom Park. Hear historical facts, information about the land and tour the settlement’s dwellings that are historically accurate for the early 1800s.
Park Pop Up + Popsicles – 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. | All Ages
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Pop by the Parks & Recreation table near the pool to pick up some JCC swag, a refreshing treat and discover what new programs and events are happening in 2026! The Pop Up is free!
Firetruck Duck Drop – Noon-1 p.m. | All Ages
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Parks & Recreation is teaming up with the Fire Department for the ultimate rubber ducky drop. Join us live or virtually to watch as the ducks take a plunge from the top of one of JCCFD’s ladder trucks. Registration is required.
- Register each person individually via Xplor: Registration required
- Get your duck number–we’ll email it to you!
- Join us at the park on June 21
- If your duck lands on a target, you WIN!
- Must be present to win
Trackless Train Rides – 1-3 p.m. | All Ages (12 & younger with parent/guardian)
Veterans Park
ALL ABOARD for an afternoon adventure! Take a ride on the Kiwanis Kids Trackless Train. Kids and parents alike are welcome to climb aboard.
Crabbing 101 – 2-3 p.m. | All Ages
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Come out to Chickahominy Riverfront Park’s 300’ fishing pier to learn the basics of crabbing. Crabbing equipment supplied. Please bring your own buckets to transport any crabs you catch, of legal size, that you wish to take home to cook. No registration required.
Bingo – 2-3 p.m. | Ages 55+
James City County Recreation Center (The Lounge 55+)
Join us for a game or two of Bingo, prizes awarded every game, plus a grand prize raffle drawing. Cards and daubers provided. Registration required.
Free Black Settlement Tour – 2-3 p.m. | All Ages
Freedom Park
Tour one of the first Free Black Settlements in the United States, located within Freedom Park. Hear historical facts, information about the land and tour the settlement’s dwellings that are historically accurate for the early 1800s.
Invasive Species Mapping – 5-6:30 p.m. | All Ages
Little Creek Reservoir Park
Download the iNaturalist app and contribute to citizen science by helping us map and manage our natural spaces. Smartphones and cellular service are preferred for the program. No experience necessary. Registration encouraged, but not required.
Night Hike – 8:30-9:30 p.m. | All Ages
Freedom Park
Ever wonder what animals are lurking once the sun goes down? Explore the PARK AFTER DARK during this night hike! After sunset, visitors may only use Multiuse Trail 3; the night hike is a walking loop that starts and ends here. Users must depart the park by 9:30 p.m. and must stay on Trail 3 after sunset.
All Day Programming
Capture the Moment Photo Contest – All Day | All Ages
Various Parks & Facilities
Join us for some summer fun in our photo contest for a chance to win our Summer Prize Pack! Throughout the day, we will post different photo categories. Once that category has been posted, leave a comment on Facebook or tag us on Instagram with your photo for that category. Each photo is one entry; multiple entries are welcome! The winner will be announced on Tuesday, June 23. Locations will vary depending on the photo category. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date with every category posted!
For details on Center and Parks amenities, including operating hours, click on the links below:
Program SitesChickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Hwy. Freedom Park, 5537 Centerville Rd.Greensprings Interpretive Trail, 3751 John Tyler Hwy. Jamestown Beach Event Park, 2205 Jamestown Rd.James City County Marina, 2054 Jamestown Rd.James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Rd.Little Creek Reservoir, 180 Lakeview Dr.Upper County Park, 180 Leisure Rd.Veterans Park (Kidsburg), 3793 Ironbound Rd.
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