The Clarksville Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all of the amazing artisans who chose the Clarksville, VA Lakefest to sell thier beautiful items. We sincerely hope to see all of them return next year with new and exciting pieces!

1st Place and Best-In-Show: Teak 22 of Alabama

Best in Show: 1st Place and Best-In-Show award went to Teak 22 of Alabama. The exhibit was filled with one-of-a-kind god art made from recycled parts of the teak tree which is grown in Sumatra, Indonesia. Shown are the artists Alan and Sharalee Sherman who create the furniture.

2nd Place: Jinsheng Song of Florida

2nd Place: The 2010 Lakefest judges picked Jinsheng Song of Florida for his unique oil paintings. Song’s inspirations for his artwork come from his life and his technique is layer upon layer. As this photo was taken, he had took a break from adding yet another layer to the original behind him.

3rd Place: Keith Boone of North Carolina

3rd Place: Third place was presented to Keith Boone of North Carolina for his unique jewelry that is hand-crafted from vintage pieces of sterling silver dinnerware such as knives, forks and spoons. Boone accepted the award and ribbon on behalf of he and his wife Maureen, who also assists with the artwork.

Honorable Mention: Christy Eubank of North Carolina

Honorable Mention: Christy Eubank of North Carolina was presented the honorable mention award for her hand-thrown pottery. This crafter’s special designs include one-of-a-kind candy bowls, dip-n-chip dishes, funny face mugs and serving platters. The 33rd annual Lakefest was the first show she had attended in Clarksville.

Raffle Winner: Sam Keeton

Raffle Winner: Winner of the 2010 Lakefest “super party weekend raffle” was Sam Keeton, show hold his winning ticket. Shown with Keeton is his wife Phebe; the couple reside in Buffalo Junction. Their gifts included a 20-gallon stainless steel cooler on wheels, a stainless steel grill with table (provided by Michael Y. Wagstaff Construction), luxury lakefront weekend overnight accommodations (provided by Best Western On the Lake), Lakefest apron and chef’s hat embroidered by Stitches Corporate & Custom Embroidery, plus a basket full of grilling essentials.

Lakefest Highlights start on Thursday…Come out and enjoy the beauty of the hot-air balloons! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and spend the evening watching the balloons inflate and provide fun, FREE hot-air balloon rides for children 12 and younger. This event is scheduled for Thursday, July 15, starting at 6 pm at the Lake Country Business Park located on Noblin Farm Road (next to Clarksville Elementary School).

Hot dogs, hamburgers, soft drinks and ice cream treats will be available, courtesy of MeadowView Terrace. Children’s games, a dunking booth and other activities will be available at the event, too, all courtesy of Clarksville Family Practice. Additionally, the medical office staff will offer healthy check-ups for children’s favorite stuffed toys. A minimal fee will be charged for the food and activities; however, all proceeds will be donated to the Southeastern Alzheimer’s Association.

With the weather cooperating (pilot can fly only when the wind is less than 10 mph and there are no storms within a 60 mile radius), all activities will continue until dusk. For more information, contact the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce at 434-374-2436.

Show your patriotism to the great United States of America and salute our Veterans—by being a participant in, or a spectator for, the 2010 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 3, at 11 am.

Among the entries to date are the Yorktown Fifes & Drums and the Shriners’ Motor Corp; other 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 Charles Lee at jcharleslee[at]aol[dot]com or call 434-374-0794.

It’s the lifestyle that attracts visitors to Clarksville and that keeps them coming back year after year…or for a lifetime. It’s the friendly people, small town charm, low cost of living, mild climate, and recreational opportunities that makes Clarksville a great place to visit and an even better place to call home.

While things move at a more leisurely pace in Clarksville, the town continues to move forward to embrace the changing economy and provide a 21st century approach to the historical charm that brought Clarksville to where it is today. It’s a town of new opportunity built on a history of trade. The rivers which brought the tobacco trade to Clarksville now feed the lake that provides the economic and recreational backbone of the Clarksville community.

Buggs Island Lake is the main attraction for those who love water sports of any kind, or simply enjoys the beauty of the landscape and wildlife that the lake provides. With 50,000 acres of water and 800 miles of shoreline, you can always find a secluded cove on this lake, even on a busy holiday weekend.

Downtown Clarksville has been named to the Virginia and National Registers of Historic Places. You can take a walking tour of more than 60 churches, homes, and businesses that date back to the late 18th century with architecture ranging from Queen Anne to Greek Revival to Victorian. Today its brick lined sidewalks with decorative lighting and Currier and Ives charm are lined with unique shops and a variety of dining choices that invite an afternoon stroll for a tasty treat or the perfect treasure.

Throughout the year Clarksville hosts a variety of special events including the largest, the Virginia Lake Festival in July, which attracts more than 80,000 visitors to town.

So, if you’ve never been here, please come to visit. But be prepared to fall in love with Clarksville. You may want to pack an extra bag just in case!