Nivar visits Goochland Day, highlights local groups and robotics team

Delegate May Nivar moved from the Goochland Democrats tent to GoochlandCares and then to the Goochland High School Junkyard Dogs robotics team, turning Goochland Day into a tour of the county institutions most visibly shaping community life right now.

Nivar, who represents House District 57 and took office on January 14, 2026, was among the local and regional figures mingling at the long-running celebration hosted by the Goochland Day Foundation. The event opened with a parade at 10:00 a.m. from Goochland Courthouse Green and continued with a festival from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Goochland Sports Complex. Admission was free to the community, with food, drink and vendor purchases the only items for sale.

The mix of stops underscored how Goochland Day has become a public showcase for the county’s civic infrastructure as much as a festival. At the Chamber of Commerce tent, the focus was local business; at GoochlandCares, it was the safety net that has served residents since 1952. GoochlandCares says it provides basic human services and health care, including food assistance, housing support, mental health care, dental care, case management and financial assistance, all under one roof at 2999 River Road West.

The school side of that local identity was on display with Team 2106, the Goochland High School Junkyard Dogs. The FIRST Robotics Competition team says its rookie year was 2007, making the group one of the more durable student organizations visible at the event and a reminder that Goochland Day is used to spotlight youth programs as well as established nonprofits.

Tom Perriello also spent time at Goochland Day, adding a campaign-season note to a festival built around hometown pride. Perriello is running for Congress and says he is running to flip VA-05. For organizers, that blend of elected officials, candidates, civic groups and students fit the event’s stated purpose: bringing people together and fostering Goochland’s sense of community by supporting local organizations and businesses.