Henrico Sports & Events Center to celebrate first anniversary with events, activities

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Henrico Sports & Events Center will mark its first anniversary with several events and activities over the weekend. According to a spokesperson for the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority, the Henrico Sports & Events Center has welcomed more than 375,000 visitors over its inaugural year. The center has also hosted many marquee events, such as the Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship, National Wheelchair Basketball Association Championships, nine Henrico County Public Schools graduations and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Induction. In celebration of the center's first anniversary, the following events and activities will take place on Friday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Henrico Sports & Events Center: Friday, Dec. 6 Cheer & Gear Donation Drive: noon to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Anniversary Happy Hour: 5 to 7 p.m. Battle of the Badges Basketball Game: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 Cheer & Gear Donation Drive: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cheer & Gear Classic Basketball Game: 2 p.m. tipoff According to the spokesperson, the weekend will kick off with the Cheer & Gear Sports Equipment Donation Drive on Friday in partnership with ESPN Richmond, benefitting the Central Richmond Salvation Army. Friday evening will feature an anniversary happy hour and the inaugural Battle of the Badges basketball game between Henrico's Police and Fire divisions. Friday's events are free and will be open to the public, with attendees encouraged to bring new sports equipment to donate for the Cheer & Gear Donation Drive. According to the spokesperson, the Cheer & Gear Classic on Sunday will see the University of Richmond Spiders return to the court where they captured the 2024 A-10 Women's Basketball Championship. They will face off against the Columbia University Lions. Tickets for Sunday's game can be purchased here.