• When filling out the request form, please be as comprehensive, detailed and specific as possible.
• Requests are reviewed on a bi-weekly basis and an acknowledgement of your request will be provided to you by email approximately two weeks from the date of submission.
• Once your request is reviewed, the Mayor's scheduling team will notify you, via email, of a decision regarding the Mayor’s availability to attend your requested event.

Request the Mayor at Event/Meeting

All requests for proclamations must be submitted in writing at least 30 days prior to the date needed. The Mayor’s Office reserves the right to modify or deny any proclamation request. An organization does not have exclusive rights to one day, week or month of their proclamation and proclamations issued in previous years will not be automatically re-issued. A new request must be submitted and approved.

• Please include a draft of at least 5 “whereas” statements
• What can proclamations be issued for?
  • Significant contributions and service to the community
  • Organization, business or group milestones and significant anniversaries
  • Cultural or historical occasions
  • Charitable fundraising efforts
  • Centennial (100th) birthdays
  • Wedding anniversaries for 50 years + (in 5 year increments)

Request a Proclamation

All requests must be submitted 30 days prior to the date of the event or publication deadline. Emergency or short deadline requests must be submitted with draft language and will be accommodated as the workload permits.

• What can letters be written for?
  • Birthday (Milestone birthdays)
  • Appreciation (A thank you for service to individuals or organizations that have performed a public service or contributed to the success of an event for the Mayor, the government, or the city)
  • Greeting Message (Individual or organization hosting a conference, convention, family reunion, or an event in the Richmond Region)
  • Welcome Message (Individuals or organizations that are visiting the City of Richmond or hosting an event in City of Richmond)
  • Wedding Anniversary (Milestone anniversaries)
  • Place of Worship Anniversary (Increments of 5 or 10 years)
  • Congratulations (Given for significant accomplishments to individuals or organizations including retirement from a federal, state, or local government or private sector organization that serves the City of Richmond)
  • Eagle Scout Award
  • Graduation

Request a Letter

Requests must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the lighting date. Non-denominational, non-profits and charitable events or causes (501(C) (3)) are eligible to make a request. Commercial entities, personal occasions and religious observances will not be considered. Special themed lighting is at sole discretion of the City of Richmond.

• Evaluation:
  • Requests will be evaluated based on factors including: nature of cause/event; history and background of organization, cause/event; how the lighting will benefit the cause/event; the relationship of the lighting to the cause/event; and relevance to the City of Richmond.
  • The City of Richmond may override any existing and confirmed illuminations in support of citywide, national or world emergency observances, and will work with requestors to best accommodate or reschedule the original request.
  • No organization may have the light configurations for more than four (4) consecutive days. The length of time for each approved request is entirely at the discretion of the City of Richmond.
  • Priority in choosing colors for illuminations will be given to promoting events that celebrate the City, its civic institutions, local universities, City-recognized holidays, public events and festivals. Requests to change the color or pattern of the decorative lights may be accommodated when feasible.
  • If multiple requests are made for different colors on the same dates, preference will be given to events that are locally organized and that affect the largest number of City of Richmond residents.
  • The City of Richmond retains the right to refuse any request for any reasons whatsoever.