By Kathy Chouteau
Friday, March 17 is not only St. Patrick’s Day, it will also double as the kick off of “Riveter Days” at Rosie the Riveter World War II National Historical Park on the Richmond waterfront and at locations throughout the U.S.
The local national park has several activities planned during March 17-21 in collaboration with Rosie the Riveter Trust. Riveter Days will start off with free-entry to the Maritime Child Development Center, 1014 Florida Ave. in Richmond, March 17 from 5-7 p.m., where community members can attend the opening art reception of “Rosie’s Children: Art from Richmond’s Historic Child Care Centers” and also view the Wartime Classroom Exhibit.
The next Riveter Day will be a “Rosie Roll Call” Sat., March 18 at 1 p.m. at the park’s Visitor Center, during which real-life Rosies—now in their 90s and older—will appear in-person and have their respective names, ages and wartime jobs “called out for all to hear,” per organizers. Presentations and family fun will be afoot during the day, while the Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sun., March 19, Rose the Riveter Trust will team up with another Richmond institution—East Brother Beer Co.—on its inaugural “Shipyard Stroll,” a cruise and mini-car show. Meet at the Richmond Ferry Building at 9 a.m. and be ready to roll at 10 a.m., per East Brother. The local car stroll ends at East Brother, 1001 Canal Blvd. in Richmond, where community members can “Come to the tap room to enjoy the cars in your Rosie gear and receive $1 off pints,” according to Rosie organizers. Read the Standard’s article about the Shipyard Stroll here.
Tues., March 21 will bring Rosie the Riveter Day, during which a free, virtual “Rosie Presents” event will take place at 6 p.m. Watch this page for more info and links as they become available. And all weekend, from March 17-19, community members can take in the virtual tour—featuring park sites not always open to the public—and including photos, videos and stories, per organizers. At the Visitor Center, the new Rosie Ambassador documentary, which runs 20 minutes, will be showing all weekend.
The Rosie the Riveter World War II National Historical Park Visitor Center is located at 1414 Harbour Way South, #3000, in Richmond and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more about Riveter Days here.
