The Perseid meteor shower will be at its best in Mid-August.

The Friends of the James River Park’s July e-newsletter features a couple of cool-looking events that I think deserve wider attention. The first is a creative workshop with James River Park Artist-in-Residence Shay Wilson:

Explore your creativity, enjoy the park, and get inspired in an on-site workshop facilitated by the park’s Artist-in-Residence. Participants of all skill levels will delight in this fun workshop. We meet at noon at the Pony Pasture parking lot. Bring your sketchbook, pencils, paints, and any other tools you choose to be creative with. You may also want to bring a camp chair or blanket and water bottle. You will be lead through a series of creative exercises as you sit in nature along the river and engage with the James River Park in a creative, intentional way. Can’t make it? These workshops will be held monthly, so stay tuned for the next one. If you have questions, contact Shay at shaywilsonart@gmail.com.

The second event is coming up in August and is offered by the staff of the James River Park:

Sign up for a scenic and challenging ride along the Virginia Capital Trail, on August 10 and 11,  then camp under the stars to watch the Perseid meteor shower! JRPS Adventure Staff departs from Reedy Creek Visitors Center on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. and travels to Chickahominy Riverfront Park campground, where the sky is dark, and conditions are best to experience this annual sky show. The Perseid meteor shower is created when the earth passes through the cloud of debris left by the Swift-Tuttle comet. At its peak, you can expect to see between 60 and 100 meteors per hour. We’ll return to the city on our bikes Saturday morning. You can bring your own bike or borrow one of ours!

The price for this trip is $40, which includes food for two days and transportation of your belongings to the campground, plus vehicle support in case of emergency. This does not include camping fees. Reservations are required. For more information and to register contact penelope.davenport@richmondgov.com.