Frequently Asked Questions

The mission of the Goochland Day Foundation (GDF) is to maintain community unity and equity while enhancing and recognizing the small-town feel and history of Goochland, its growth and development as a society, and its achievements in progress.

The GDF endeavors to host what has been known since the 1950s as Goochland Day—an annual parade through the Goochland Courthouse and a festival. Although the GDF is unaffiliated with Goochland County, it has a great relationship with Goochland County (MOU) and representatives from surrounding counties. This collaboration aims to network and provide Goochland's best free-to-attend event of the year!

Your financial support of Goochland Day, combined with efforts from other nonprofit and for-profit organizations, proves we can unite resources and keep Goochland Day free for all attendees. Goochland Day and the Foundation's events allow neighbors the opportunity to create camaraderie, boost spirits, and foster goodwill.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, The Goochland Day Foundation presents Goochland Night, a fundraiser event for Goochland Day.  Goochland Night is our kick-off concert where we choose a local band for a fun night out. Gates to the Goochland Sports Complex open at 5PM with Opening Ceremonies at 6PM.   

VIP options available. Concert is free.   There will be beer/cider/wine/spirits, food trucks, vendors, and luminaria available for purchase.  

No outside alcoholic beverages or coolers permitted.

The GDF is assisting Relay for Life of Goochland and Lousia (RFL) to raise awareness and support those who have overcome, who are battling, and for those who we hold in our memories.  Relay for Life also provides resources for caretakers.  Relay for Life luminaries will be available. More details to follow. 

Location of the Goochland Night Concert: Goochland Sports Complex 1800 Sandy Hook Rd, Goochland, VA 23063 

(LOWER NAPA FIELD) Intersection of 522 and the Fairground Road Roundabout.

Parking for the event will include: 

• Goochland Fairground Lot (do not park at the Food Lion Shopping Center as the Center Management will tow) 

• Goochland Elementary School (after hours) 

• County Administration Buildings (ADA Parking) - ADA drop off location at the lower Sports Compex parking lot. 

• Goochland Middle/High School Complex on Bulldog Way

Please bring your photo ID and your email confirmation from one of the following as your ticket:  

Meet the Bands 

Arrive early on Saturday, May 17, 2025, to secure your spot to watch the Goochland Day Parade departing at 10am from the Goochland Courthouse Green (2900 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063) . Expect to see marching bands, unique cars, animals, Miss Goochland, GYAA, Scouts, and local businesses creatively decorated floats travel west through the courthouse ending at the Goochland Elementary School.

Attendees transition to the Goochland Day Festival 11AM to 3PM to shop local vendors, enjoy hometown food, wine, and beer, listen and dance to energizing live music, challenge the inflatables/rides, pet farm animals, learn by doing with hands-on demonstrations, and much more.

Location of Festival: Goochland Sports Complex 1800 Sandy Hook Rd, Goochland, VA 23063.  

Goochland Day utilizes the following areas: Farmers Market, NAPA Field, and Upper Football Field

Applications are live!  Vendor spaces consist of a 10x10 ground area. You will need to bring your own tent, tables, and chairs.

For more details, please review our Vendors information and the fee structure. 

Create a free business profile and search "Goochland Day" within the Marketspread application.  

Please click here to see our Sponsorship Page for more detailed information. We want you to have the best experience, so our sponsor chair, Sponsor@GoochlandDay.org, will reach out to review your interest and goals for supporting Goochland Day events.

Sponsors enable us to pay for advertisements, county permits, traffic safety and security police, utilities and insurance, entertainment, marketing materials, and so much more. Goochland Day Foundation is IRS recognized as a 501(c)(3) Public Charity.

We couldn't host a free community event without you! Thank you!

 Our goal is to provide as much free adult and kid entertainment and demonstrations as possible by way of our gracious sponsors and community philanthropists; however, we are a pay-as-you-go [to vendors] festival.

Everywhere is a good spot throughout the Courthouse but the best spot is a planned morning with friends.  Plan your morning and grab breakfast at a local hot spot in Goochland Courthouse then camp out with chairs & blankets, meet your neighbors, and enjoy the camaraderie along Rt 6 until the parade starts at 10am.  Please plan your parking, parade, and festival day according to your energy level.  If you get tired, we will have shuttle buses as well as golf carts to help transport you closer to your vehicles.  During the parade, please keep the sidewalks clear and remember to pick up your trash. 

The parade is limited to ~65 Units measuring 40'.  This allows for our parade to stay within an hour timeframe as agreed by the GDF, Goochland County, GCSO, and VDOT.  

If you seek approval to be in the parade, you must apply early!  Applications open in October and close when we have ~65 units.  Applications are reviewed and are approved meeting the guidelines below as well as the energy and engagement level that is promised and expected to put on the infamous Goochland Day Parade! 

 A few things to remember as this is a community event, and we want it to be fun! We will have a ton of children around us, and they are watching us at all times.

•To engage the community and to make the community remember your entry, we strongly encourage each of you to decorate your cars, floats, wear costumes, and have handouts… per insurance: no throwing of items (candy or otherwise) from the float.

•Be respectful to all volunteers. Any behavior that is not respectable will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave the staging area immediately.

PARADE VEHICLES & DRIVERS

•Do not display any signs, wear any clothing, or shout anything that is hateful or seeks to change laws or is political

•Cover any profanity or vulgar pictures/stickers/decals 

•Ensure All Vehicles and Trailers in Good Operating Order

•Vehicle Operator Is Licensed

DROP OFF and PICK UP

•You can start to line up at 7:00 am and everyone must be in place no later than 9:30 am. The parade will start promptly at 10:00 am sharp.

•There will be shuttle buses that can bring you to the staging area picking up from Goochland High School, Fairgrounds Lot, and the YMCA. The shuttle starts at 8:00 am. 

•ATTENTION PARENTS: NO VEHICLES ALLOWED IN THE STAGING AREA THAT ARE NOT IN THE PARADE. You may park by the Chamber of Commerce, as available, and walk over to the lot you will be in. There will be a pull off area that parents can drop kids off to go to their respective organizations, but you will not be able to park.

Please check your name and send me any corrections that need to be made so you are announced correctly at the judge's booth. With that being said, you will need to display your number on the right side of your float so the judges can see it clearly to make sure they are announcing the right entry. We don't typically get out of order, but this helps if we do. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 804-922-3965.

Warmest Regards,

Annette Jones

GDF VP/Parade Chair

The 2025 free activities are still undergoing planning however here is our list so far:

Start your day with a golf cart ride to/from the festival!  Golf carts are provided by Peebles Golf Cars, and a volunteer driver may be available to assist as needed. 

Kid Zone (Upper Football Field) 

• 70' Vertical Rush Extreme Obstacle (inflatable)

• Hungry Hippo Chow Down* (mechanical inflatable)

• Trackless Train 

• Field Games

• Basketball at the old GES Court 

• Animals (petting zoo and pony rides) 

• Hands On Tutorials and Exhibits

• Local DJ and Dance Area 

• Balloon Animals

Farmers Market 

• Live Bands

• Mechanical Bull (mechanical inflatable)

• Axe Throwing

• Hands On Tutorials and Exhibits

Main Stage 

• Live Bands

• Goochland Day Cooling Station

We apologize for any inconvenience however we appreciate your understanding and patience for extra safety and planning of your detours during Goochland Day using Bulldog Way, Maidens Road, and Fairground Road. 

On Saturday, May 18. 2023, between the hours of 10AM to 11AM, Route. 6 -River Road West from Maidens Road through the Courthouse to Bulldog Way will be closed due to the parade.

Between the hours of 11AM and 3PM, the 522 - Sandy Hook Rd section between the Goochland Sports Complex and the Goochland Farmers Market from the Rt. 6/Rt. 522 intersection light and Rt. 522/Fairgrounds Road intersection will be closed during the festival.  This road closure allows attendees more freedom and accessibility to enjoy vendors, activities, entertainment, a trackless train, animal exhibits, food and drink, music and more in the areas of and vicinity surrounding the Goochland Sports Complex. 

Peebles Golf Cars have graciously allowed the Foundation to provide volunteer and attendee shuttle service throughout the Goochland Day event. If you have a need or would like assistance, Volunteers will be using walkie talkies to communicate. Please be patient with our volunteers and plan your day accordingly.  

Fire Rescue will be onsite and close by as well if more professional services are required. 

Attendees can also take shelter in Goochland Day's Cooling Station, provided by our valued sponsor, H&H Heating and Cooling, located in the outfield of our Main Stage area. 

See "Parking and Shuttles" below for additional ways to get to the parade and festival! 

Parking can be found at the following locations and two GCPS School Buses will be operational and stop at the following locations every 15 minutes. ADA parking is available first come first serve at the Goochland County Administration Building.

General Parking

• County Administration Buildings (ADA Parking) 

• Goochland Cares (Parade)

• Grace Church (Parade)

• Fairgrounds Parking Lot 

• Goochland High/Middle School Complex

Parking & Bus Shuttle Stops 

• Goochland High/Middle School Complex

• YMCA

• Reynolds 

• Fairgrounds Gravel Lot*

*Towing is enforced by an unaffiliated party at the Food Lion Parking Lot. 

Goochland Day Foundation pays for the convenience for attendees to access local school bus transportation/shuttles so please be courteous and patient towards our local school bus drivers!  We LOVE Ann Fox! 

Vendor Parking Only

•  Goochland Elementary School 

Parental and User Discretion: Please use at your own risk and be mindful of other attendees as most of the festival space will be grass and pavement areas will be in use. County restrictions apply.

No outside alcoholic beverages or coolers are permitted. 

Plenty of local food and beverage vendors will be present and busy preparing your favorite snacks and meals.  Support Local! 

The Goochland Day Foundation's ABC permit allows patrons the flexibility to enjoy all the mapped festivities with your purchased beverage.  

All other Virginia laws apply. Permits will be posted. 

You can email us at contact@goochlandday.org

When live, you may complete the Goochland Day Foundation application for more insight and the current fee to attend as a vendor. 

https://marketspread.com/search/?lat=&lng=&section=events&query=Goochland%20Day

Port-a-potties are located throughout the Goochland Sports Complex, Farmers Market, and restrooms are available at the upper football field concession building.  Please also check with other nearby businesses who may be open and available during the parade. 

County restrictions apply.  While we LOVE our pets (fur children) and we have pet related vendors, plus Goochland Pet Lovers adoptable loves, we politely ask that you leave your fur baby (babies) at home. With large crowd sizes expected, we find it’s best to keep foot traffic to humans.  The Goochland Day Parade and Festival accepts no liability for any incidents involving pets.  Thank you for understanding. 

Seeking something misplaced or someone during the festival, please check with the Goochland Day Foundation Information Tent located at the lower parking lot by the 522/Fairgrounds roundabout entrance of the Sports Complex by the grassy (prev. softball) field. 

Seeking Items left after the festival – Email: contact@goochlandday.org     

[1950 - 1996] “Goochland Day” originated in the early 1950’s by volunteer fire rescue in efforts to raise money for a firetruck and station, then transferred to the Goochland County Chamber of Commerce led purely by Community Volunteers, who hosted free attendance to the parade and festival from the mid 1970’s until its natural conclusion in 1996.

[2018] Goochland Day was reengaged in 2018 by officers of the Goochland High School PTSA.

[2020] Officially founded in 2020 for the purpose of organizing the annual Goochland Day that brings people together for a day of family fun and merriment and helps foster and nurture Goochland’s strong sense of community.  GDF is recognized as a public charity and tax-exempt entity EIN# 85-3496459 under sections 509(a)(2) and 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Being an independent nonprofit, the Foundation consists of unpaid community volunteers that have an undeniable love for Goochland and values the collaboration with sponsors and community supporters to gain funding to host an all-encompassing and inclusive annual event that is FREE to attend, play, and learn together.  

The Foundation is looking ahead and planning to become more engaged with the Community each year as we lead into our Counties Tricentennial (coming May 2027).