Weekend Events Celebrate Heritage and Outdoor Fun
TL;DR: Chesterfield County hosts outdoor and heritage celebrations this weekend, including Civil War living history at Point of Rocks and Outdoor Fest at Pocahontas State Park on Saturday.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield Parks and Recreation, Virginia State Parks
- What: Weekend events featuring heritage demonstrations, outdoor activities, and live entertainment
- When: Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Where: Pocahontas State Park, Historic Point of Rocks, and other county venues
The story
Chesterfield County is offering residents multiple entertainment options this weekend, with two major events confirmed for Saturday, September 26.
Civil War Day at Historic Point of Rocks will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at R. Garland Dodd Park (201 Enon Church Road, Chester). The free event features living history demonstrations and guided tours exploring the site's role during the Civil War, including the Strachan House and the Union hospital constructed at Point of Rocks during the 1864 Bermuda Hundred Campaign. Attendees can tour the 188-acre park, which served as an observation post for Union General Benjamin F. Butler, and enjoy free hot dogs and ice cream while exploring the inclusive playground, basketball and pickleball courts.
Outdoor Fest at Pocahontas State Park runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, featuring free family-friendly activities presented by Chesterfield Parks and Recreation in partnership with Virginia State Parks. Activities include a cave simulator tour, ranger-guided wilderness hikes, skimboarding, slacklining, BMX demonstrations, aerial performances, mountain biking, and dog jumping. Food and beverages are available for purchase, and Friends of Pocahontas State Park operates a beer garden. The Hot Pants and River City Band will perform throughout the afternoon. Parking is free in observance of National Public Lands Day.
Optional early-morning events include the Beaver Tail Trail 5K beginning at 7:30 a.m. and the Beaver Tail Trail 4-Miler starting at 8 a.m. near the park's welcome center; both require $25 registration.
The source also referenced a Peru Festival at Beulah Recreation Center on Friday evening and a film screening at Ettrick Recreation Center, though these could not be independently verified through county announcements or official recreation calendars.
Key players
- Chesterfield Parks and Recreation: Event organizer and presenter
- Virginia State Parks: Partner in Outdoor Fest
Key dates
- 2026-09-26: Civil War Day and Outdoor Fest
- 2026-09-26: Beaver Tail Trail 5K (7:30 a.m.) and 4-Miler (8 a.m.) at Pocahontas State Park
Why it matters: The events provide free and low-cost entertainment and educational opportunities for families across the county while celebrating both local heritage and outdoor recreation during the final weekend of September.
Places
- Pocahontas State Park
- Historic Point of Rocks
- R. Garland Dodd Park
- Beulah Recreation Center
- Ettrick Recreation Center
Development timeline
- 2026-09-26Beaver Tail Trail 5K: Early-morning race at Pocahontas State Park beginning at 7:30 a.m., $25 registration [source]
- 2026-09-26Beaver Tail Trail 4-Miler: Trail race at Pocahontas State Park beginning at 8 a.m., $25 registration [source]
- 2026-09-26Civil War Day at Historic Point of Rocks: Living history demonstrations and tours at R. Garland Dodd Park, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free admission [source]
- 2026-09-26Outdoor Fest at Pocahontas State Park: Free family activities including cave simulator, hiking, skimboarding, BMX, aerial performances, and live music, noon to 5 p.m. [source]
Related links
- Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation
- Outdoor Fest at Pocahontas State Park
- Chesterfield County Calendar
Read the original at Chesterfield County (YouTube) →
Sources
- Chesterfield County Outdoor Fest
- Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation
- Virginia State Parks - Pocahontas State Park Events
- WRIC ABC 8News - Chesterfield Outdoor Fest 2026