Archive for ◊ 2015 ◊

Magic By Chaz~Chaz

Charles G. Misenheimer is a professional magician, with an interactive style, Chaz features roving, and close-up magic as a featured performer at events throughout the Southeast. This format allows his audiences to experience the thrill of magic literally right before their very eyes, and often right in their own hands.

Chaz will also entertain time to time at Unite Country’s Stage which is set up for a nice sized audience that is growing every year. This will be his 4^th year at our show, and I know its one of his favorites, he loves weaving tales of magic past, present, and future and conjuring up a very magical rabbit.

Who is that tall dude dancing in the street?

The stilt walker Lanky Lou is a sky-scraping giant over ten-feet tall with crazy antics, colorful costumes and games to play that are fun for everyone. A long time entertainer who has been roaming at festivals for years, having fun while giving out the highest of all high-fives. Lanky Lou brings excitement to new heights and is a perfect fit for a summertime festival

Balloon Candle Lighting Event

Before the Fireworks Show-candlestick balloon glow!

Fun Time Amusements Rides

has been providing family entertainment for more than 56 years and they plan to bring a wonderful array of rides and games that will enhance the main stage area adjacent Third Street (access at the corner of Third and Virginia Avenue) on Friday night, Saturday and Saturday night. Usually they bring eight or nine rides, which can range from their Flying Super Spinner, Fun Slide, Jurassic Adventure, Scooby Doo Combo Inflatable, Windjammer Kite Flyer and Rock Climbing Wall & more Most of the rides and games will be located on the grassy lot adjacent to the area. The company’s top priority is that of safety for their patrons and their guests. Safety mechanisms on all rides are constantly monitored on an on-going basis, and the rides are inspected by Virginia State Safety compliance. (More Below Image)

Train Rides

All aboard! No need to get your ticket punched for this train ride— passengers ride for free and there’s no ticket needed. Lakefest’s Fun-Time train will be chugging up and down Virginia Avenue (from 3rd to 7th Streets) on Saturday, July 18, from 9 am-5 pm. Turn-around locations will be at the main stage area (lot connected to 3rd Street) and at the Bank of America parking area (between 7th and 8th). The train holds up to 18 passengers, packages and baby strollers. Give your legs a rest and hop-aboard Lakefest’s Fun-Time Train. Other rides lined up for Lakefest:

Helicopter Rides

For the last five years, Paul Jackson, Helicopter Pilot, has been flying the friendly skies and giving our Lakefest visitors rides over Clarksville and the Lake. Take advantage of seeing Lake Country from the air this year, it is a memory you will never forget. Rides will be available starting Friday evening, at the Food Lion lawn area & Saturday for most of the day. It is $30 per person to ride.

Pony Rides

Five Blessings Farms will host their pony rides and two fun bouncy inflatables at the corner of 5th & Virginia Avenue. Last year they were located next to the Morton-Sizemore house with just their ponies, but we have moved them to include a few inflatables.

Bull Rides, Maybe…

YEE-HA! Get ready to ride or get ready to be thrown off by Blue Moon Whisky the Mechanical bull; he can be set in a slow/easy mode for beginners, with increasing skill levels and speeds for advanced bull riders. Variable rotation speed and bucking speed makes Blue Moon Whisky suitable for kids, teens, and adults. Safety is the number one concern with Rowdy’s Rodeo Mechanical Bull. Also available will be a racing simulator

BigTime has been Bringin’ The Party Since 2003, they quickly became one of the hottest bands in the Southeast. Playing traditional Carolina Beach Music, Rhythm and Blues, Classic Rock as well as a wide and pleasing variety of party favorites in clubs, community festivals, weddings and corporate events.

BigTime has moved to the forefront of both live and recorded bands in the region. With eight active performers, BigTime displays vocal range and strength many other bands cannot easily match. Running the entire gamut from the powerhouse vocals of energetic and charismatic front man John L. Wilson, the bluesy vocal swagger of keyboardist Bill Hancock, to the mellow style of Tiffany Hancock, they personalize each song, impress you with their differences, and yet wow you with their harmonious blend. Add to this the skill and enthusiasm of Todd Arrington on guitar and vocals, the experience and precision of drummer Mike Harriss, the solid drive of Craig Saunders on bass guitar and the exciting yet smooth sounds of Craig Cottrell on sax and vocals. Rounding out the group is its founding member, manager, sound technician and vocalist Johnny Wilson, who has been a staple of the North Carolina music scene since 1969 with his first band, The Contrast and in the 1980’s with the extremely popular Bits & Pieces.

Since being signed by the south’s premier labels Ripete Records & KHP Music in 2008, BigTime has regularly released significant new music. In March of 2009, their debut CD, Footprints in the Sand, included several excellent original tunes along with some great classic covers. Their first chart topping hits drove excellent sales of the CD. These hits were “Drink Up”, “Oh, What a Feeling” and “Do Ya Like”… the latter being written by Tiffany Hancock. Following the release of Footprints, BigTime was nominated for a Carolina Beach Music Award for “Best New Act”. In 2012, BigTime’s then- guitarist Barry Briggs created Carolina Sound Music to handle BigTime’s publishing and recording projects. The first recording to come from Carolina Sound was the single “Cherry Groove”, which was released to an ecstatic response from the public.

Songwriters John Wilson and Barry Briggs were nominated by the Carolina Beach Music Association for “Songwriter(s) of the Year”. The following year, BigTime was nominated for “Collaboration of the Year” along with legendary Soul/R&B/Beach Music entertainer Clifford Curry for their version of “Four O’clock in the Morning”. Johnny Wilson was nominated for “Producer of the Year” for the same song. Altogether, BigTime has enjoyed five songs achieving Top 10 status on the Carolina Beach Music charts with two of them reaching the number one position. At the end of 2013, three BigTime songs were simultaneously in the Beach Music Top 40… with their newest single “I Loved Them All” debuting at #36, “Four O’clock” coming in at #25 and “Cherry Groove” nearly hitting the top spot at #3. This breakout recording and performing group has solidified its position as one of the most requested in the southeast. And they are ready to Bring their PARTY to LAKEFEST!!!

Kaitlin N. Klein, the design contest winner, wearing the Ringer shirt & holding a tank top.

2015 LAKEFEST TEE’s & Tanks Have Arrived.. and are NOW on SALE!!!

The Official 2015 Lakefest t-shirts have arrived and they are spectacular! The artwork shows views of the lake and attractions seen at Lakefest. Kaitlin N. Klein, from Red Oak, VA created the winning Lakefest design. Each shirt also has the official ADMIRAL Sponsor, HP Logo on the right sleeve, & our Captain sponsors, Clarksville Ruritans, McDonald’s of Clarksville & VETS, INC logo imprinted on the left sleeve.

The shirts come in a variety of colors—white, sports grey, carolina blue, electric green, azalea pink & cornsilk yellow and they range in sizes from youth small to adult XXX-large. Youth shirts come in Carolina blue & Azalea Pink and are $15, Adult sizes small to x-large are $20 and 2XL’s and 3XL’s are $22.

TANKS are back too in various sizes & colors….colors for the Ladies are: white, sports grey, & pink & for the men we have sports grey & carolina blue. Sizes & colors are limited so get yours before they are gone! Tanks will be $18 for regular sizes, 2XL are $20.

Representitives from each company sponsor: left to right: HP, Michael Snavely, Clarksville McDonald’s, Janet Powell, Clarksville Ruritan’s Vicki Garrett & VET’s, Aaron Vaughan

NEW! LIMITED SUPPLY OF RINGER shirts! These are so cool! Sports grey with black trim. Sold only in Large & XL. Ringer shirts are only sold at the Chamber office, and are $22.

T-shirts are now available at the Clarksville Chamber Office (105 Second Street), the Virginia Avenue Mall (317 Virginia Avenue). Proceeds from the shirts will help with the various expenses of Lakefest such as live bands, fireworks and hot-air balloons.

Virginia Lake Festival, held the third full weekend of each July in Clarksville, Virginia, was again chosen as “One of the Top 20 Events” by the Southeast Tourism Society.  This year’s event marks the Town’s 38th Annual Event and July 16-19, promises to be the event not to be missed.

Since 1985, the Southeast Tourism Society has published the Top 20 Events.  Each month, hundreds of the best events across the Southeast compete to be named a Top 20 Event.  Southeast Tourism Society publishes the list of winners quarterly and sends the list to over 800 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, AAA publications and others.  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution prints the Top 20 Events as a regular quarterly feature of its travel section, and the Top 20 Events has recently been featured on the New Orleans-based radio show “Travel Talk Radio,” just to name a few.  The combined circulation runs into the millions.  The Top 20 Events are also listed on the Southeast Tourism Society websitewww.southeasttourism.org and on their consumer website www.escapetothesoutheast.com.  The Top 20 Events pages are consistently among the most visited pages on the STS sites.

The Top 20 Events represents the best festivals the Southeast has to offer.  Events that win this honor benefit from the widespread exposure and prestige that being named a Top 20 Events affords.

Founded in 1983, the Southeast Tourism Society is dedicated to the promotion & development of tourism to its member states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.  The membership includes state travel offices, attractions, hotels, motels, resorts, convention & visitors bureaus, airlines, car rental agencies, newspapers, magazines and other travel related organizations.

Show your patriotism to the great United States of America and salute our Veterans—by being a participant or a spectator at the 2015 Independence Day Parade in Clarksville On the Lake! This year’s event, sponsored by the Clarksville Ruritans, is slated for Historic Downtown Clarksville on July 4, at 11 am.

Entry categories include floats, antique cars, trucks and tractors, golf carts, fire trucks and bands, plus, all area youth are encouraged to decorate their vehicle of choice—tricycle, bicycle or battery operated mini-vehicles. Each entry into this year’s parade must be decorated in the patriotic theme and the first 1,000 participants and attendees will receive an American flag upon arrival. Parade applications may be printed by clicking HERE —there is no fee to register or participate; requested date for application return is June 29.

Immediately following the parade, everyone will be treated to free hot dogs and soft drinks, compliments of the Clarksville Ruritans. For more details about the parade and the cook-out, contact Ruritan Committee Chair 434-374-0794.

The third full weekend of each July brings a tourism & economic boost to Virginia’s Only Lakeside Town—Clarksville.

Offering, Free tethered hot-air balloon rides, sand sculpture artists, live bands, hot-air balloons, arts & crafts show featuring 200 vendors, children’s games & rides, antique car show, helicopter rides, & spectacular fireworks event.

What Makes the Event Special or Unique?

• All activities noted above are open to the public at no charge.  In addition to the various food vendors, our community organizations assist our guests in a variety of ways.  Nearly everyone in the town (population 1,400) becomes involved with volunteering for the event to insure that our guests have a wonderful and safe weekend.  We provide a shuttle service to shuttle people from outlying parking area. Likewise, a train which transports 18 people (including packages & baby strollers) travels up and down Virginia Avenue for those who would prefer to ride than walk.  Our rescue, fire and police departments are instrumental in insuring that everyone has a wonderful, but safe time.
• Voted by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2015 as “One of the Top 20 Festivals In The Southeast”, LakeFest (as it is known locally) attracted nearly 70,000 plus visitors in 2014 to view hundreds of attractions including hot air balloons, arts and crafts, live entertainment including music and dancing, great local and ethnic food, and the traditional ‘Gathering Of The Boats’ and fireworks show!
• Largest event in Mecklenburg County & Southern VA.
• It is a community/county event & is sponsored by Businesses & Organization in the area.

The 2015 Virginia Lake Festival would not be possible without the generous support of the business community. Most of all the past sponsors of Lakefest have been supporting this event for many years. We really want to let the public know that sponsorship is open to any business or organization that is interested in helping one of the biggest event in our area. This event benefits not only Clarksville, but the surrounding towns as well. When our hotels & campgrounds are full, many visitors have to go South Hill or South Boston to find accommodations. It reaches beyond our town lines and so we hope that those in other towns reading this, will consider being a part of this event. The event is a fundraiser to help promote tourism & visitors to our area, all the money raised, helps pay for the fireworks, sand artist, hot air balloons, bands & all other cost lakefest incurs and anything left over is reinvested into next years events through advertising and TV commercials and all we do to promote the area. We are also looking to add new features to LAKEFEST each year, but all that depends on the money that we can raise from potential sponsors.

Southern VA needs events like LAKEFEST to help tourism & economic growth to our area. So please consider your Business or organization as an official sponsor for this upcoming event.

Levels of Sponsorship

• Admiral            $8,000
• Captain            $4,000
• Commander   $1,500
• Officer           $1,000
• 1st Mate           $500
• Helmsman        $250
• Deck Hand        $100

Which each level there are increased promotional benefits that your business will receive for your contribution level. Admiral & Captain levels you will be able to have your business logo on the “Official LAKEFEST” t-shirts, but pledges must be in by May 29th. No money is requested until July 1st.  Every contribution helps!

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Request a Sponsorship packet by contacting us online or call the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber 434-374-2436.

Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce in southern Mecklenburg County, Virginia is set to once again host the LOVE artwork sign at the 38th Annual Virginia Lake Festival otherwise known as LAKEFEST!

The Virginia Tourism Corporation will bring an oversized LOVE artwork to Clarksville on July 15th as part of a state and local partnership to promote tourism. The artwork, which is 16 feet long and more than six feet high, is part of the Virginia is for Lovers campaign and promotes the message that love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Visitors can come see the LOVE when it arrives it will be on display at the pocket park on the corner of 4th & Virginia Avenue, near the sand sculpture, through July 22nd.

Visitors are encouraged to take a family picture in front of the artwork and share it on Facebook at Facebook.com/VirginiaisforLovers or on Twitter, using the special hashtag ‪#‎LOVEVA ‪#‎LAKEFESTVA.

“Our iconic Virginia is for Lovers brand is about love – pure and simple, and has been for more than 40 years,” said Rita McClenny, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “We are excited to share the LOVE at locations throughout the Commonwealth where so many people can enjoy being a part of it. It reminds us that Virginia is an ideal destination for families looking to completely connect on a Virginia vacation.”

We are thrilled to have the LOVE back again this year, it was a fun new feature and we feel that it fits with this festival, and we here in Southern Virginia LOVE LAKEFEST! There is so much to see and do, from the hot air balloon show, to 5k run, antique car show, amusement rides for the kids, to great entertainment, 150 arts & craft vendors, food galore & fireworks! This year, to celebrate Mecklenburg Counties 250th, there will be a boat parade & on Sunday an event called “AFTERFEST” 2015, Tobacco, Taverns & Travelers by the Lake – A step back in time. We want to invite everyone to our free event!

Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia. In 2010, tourism generated $19 billion in revenue, supported 204,000 jobs and generated $1.3 billion in state and local taxes.

Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation. Visit www.Virginia.org to learn more or call 1-800-VISITVA to request a free, Virginia is for Lovers travel guide.

Come to Clarksville, Virginia Saturday, May 9, to the Big Lake Flea Market, for more unique finds and great bargains. Virginia Avenue will be a buzz with a special selection of vendors and downtown merchants offering arts and crafts, fresh produce, antiques, yard sale items and one-of-a-kind treasures. Treat your tummy to delicious tastes including freshly picked strawberries straight from the patch. Come hungry, too, because the best of the food vendors will be onsite preparing your favorites and the local restaurants will offer specials on their menu throughout the day.

Vendors will be located on the pavement (in the parallel parking spaces) along Virginia Avenue from 3rd Street to 6th Street. Thus, vehicle parking will be available in the lots of Wells Fargo Bank and behind the Virginia Avenue Mall, plus on the side streets of Downtown Clarksville.

So, hit the streets early (vendors will be ready at 8:00 a.m.) and make your plans to spend a fun day in Virginia’s only lakeside town.

April 11th, Noon ~ 5pm

Come out and enjoy the CHEERS of Clarksville’s Ninth annual “Lake Country Wine Festival” in beautiful Clarksville on the Lake.  This year’s event will host 14 Virginia wineries, great food, live music by Jeff Bailey and Brian Parks, and the opportunity to see friends and meet many new ones.  Relax on historic lawns in downtown and taste nearly 100 varieties of fine Virginia wines and speak with those who have made these vintages possible.  Back again this year we will host a beer tent consisting of three craft brews, one from each of the following micro-breweries:  Sunken City, Chaos Mountain Brewery & Legend Brewing Company.

Tickets are now on sale online*, the Chamber of Commerce, Cooper’s Landing Inn & Traveler’s Tavern, Century 21 on the Lake and Galleria on the Lake, A & K Dock Service, and Virginia Avenue Mall. Tickets in advance are $20, $25 at the gate, ticket includes a souvenir wine glass.  For non-taster/DD tickets in advance are, $10, $15 at the gate; the event is for those 21 years of age and over only and it is a ran/shine event.  Ticket includes a souvenir wine glass.

All festival proceeds will benefit the Town’s Chamber of Commerce and will go towards future projects.  For more information, contact the Chamber or 800-557-5582.

Wineries attending this year’s Wine Festival are:

• American Way Country Wines, Chase City
• Annefield Vineyards, Saxe
• Bright Meadows Farm, Nathalie
• Fincastle Vineyard & Winery, Fincastle
• Greenwood Vineyards, Vernon Hill
• Hilltop Berry Farm & Winery, Nellysford
• Mattaponi Winery, Spotsylvania
• Preston Ridge  Winery, Martinsville
• Rebec  Vineyards & Winery, Amherst
• Rosemont of Virginia Winery, La Crosse
• Sans Soucy Vineyards & Winery, Brookneal
• Stanburn Winery, Stuart
• The Homeplace Vineyard, Chatham
• Three Sisters of Shiney Rock, Clarksville
• Tomahawk Mill Winery, Chatham

Danville Distributing Company will be offering a selection of craft beers from the following Virginia Breweries:

• Chaos Mountain Brewing, Callaway
• Legend Brewing Company , Richmond
• Sunken City,  Hardy

The Craft beer will be sold by the bottle/glass, it is not a tasting venue. Tickets for beer will be sold at the booth for $4.

Live Acoustical for Lake Country Wine Festival

Wine Festival musical favorites, Brian Parks and Jeff Bailey will be performing live acoustical music at the Ninth Annual “Lake Country Wine Festival” on April 11, from noon-5 pm in Downtown Clarksville.  Parks and Bailey have roots to Lake Country, as they both grew up in Chase City; they have been playing music together for more than 12 years.  Their music genre goes from Van Morrison to Bob Segar to the Allman Brothers—the best of rock, blues, and pop.  Both are accomplished musicians with their vocals and both play guitar; Brian also plays harmonica and saxophone.  Not only will they entertain those at the Wine Festival with their music, they will also entertain with their jokes and fun-loving conversations—these fellows really like to have a good time.  They perform monthly in Raleigh and Cary, as well as performing locally in Clarksville and South Boston, and South Hill.