Here comes the 33rd Annual Lakefest! This year promises to be a spectacular time of celebration here in Virginia’s only Lakeside Town. Below you’ll find detailed information on some of this year’s events; from Helicopter Rides to The Antique Auto Show. Please use the links below and to the left to explore just some of this year’s offerings.

Juried Arts & Crafts Show
Antique Auto Show
Sand Sculpture Artist
Helicopter Rides
Games & Rides
Free Kids Balloon Rides
Friday Night’s Live Band
Saturday Night’s Live Band
T-Shirts
Super Weekend Raffle
Shuttle & Parking Information
Schedule of Events

The arts & crafts show is juried and the jury has been kept busy reviewing applications and photographs since early in February. Artists this year are coming from not only Virginia, but also eight other states–Florida, Ohio, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Maryland, Georgia, Tennessee and Canada. The crafters have been extremely active in applying for this year’s show. Water ink, acrylic and oil paintings…even face painters, pottery, leather products, birdhouses and garden accessories, carvers and sculpturers, jewelry made from bicycle spokes, live bonsai trees, items to be personalized on the spot, blown glass jewelry, photography, clothing, home accessories and even pet attire–just to name a few.

What are some of the food vendors on tap for this year? As of this moment, we have more than 20 food vendors…only two of similar offerings are approved by the jury…thus, there will be an extraordinary amount of variety. In addition to the typical festival foods such as polish sausages, gyros, blooming onions, kettle corn, coated nuts, deep-fried candy bars/cookies and funnel cakes with your choice of toppings…the ethnic choices will include Caribbean–jerk chicken, shawarma, stuffed grape leaves; Mexican–fajitas, quesadillas, burritos; vegetarian offerings, Seafood–shrimp, Mahi Mahi, crab cakes, and calamari; Thai choices–Satay, vegetable cakes and spring rolls; Items to cool one down on a hot summer day…fresh squeezed lemonade, smoothies and icees, frozen drinks such as Pina Colodas and Bahama Mamas, snowcones, homemade ice creams and old fashioned floats.

For the first time ever–there will be a healthy food vendor serving up smoothies and snacks.

You are invited to enjoy the nearly 200 vendors that will be in place on Virginia Avenue on Saturday, July 17, 9 am-5 pm. The street will be closed to traffic from 4 am until 6 pm.

Enter your antique automobiles in the 16th annual Antique Auto Show, which will be featured at Lakefest in Clarksville on Saturday, July 17, at Century 21 On the Lake (412 Virginia Avenue) and the lawn areas adjacent to realty office. Great trophies will be made in the categories of 1) Hard Luck Story, 2) Oldest Vehicle, 3) Longest Distance Traveled, 4) Diamond in the Rough and 5)The most important trophy of the show; Tom Lilly BEST IN SHOW Award. Among those who have registered their vehicle in the show, there will be two prizes of $50 each that will be given away that afternoon.

To register your vehicle for the show, complete a registration form (available at Century 21 On the Lake or at the Chamber Office) and return with the $10 fee prior to festival or $20 day of the show. The application can be mailed out or faxed to those interested in participating. For more information about registering your vehicle for the show, contact Century 21 On the Lake (434-374-2279) or the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce (434-374-2436).

Beginning on the early morning of July 15, Alan Matsumoto and his friends will start their creative adventure in making a “larger than life” sand sculpture for the 33rd annual Virginia Lake Festival. Starting with several tons of sand…Matsumoto and his fellow sculptures begin the process of making a creation from the ground up. It is fascinating to watch them work and attempt to figure out exactly what the ending result will be. He may give some helpful hints along the way…

Matsumoto served as a structural engineer in Vancouver, Canada for 19 years and has been professionally sandsculpting fulltime now for 21 years. He currently lives in Roanoke, VA.

He shared the World Champion Sandsculpting title with his teammates for seven years straight, held a Guiness World Record in sandsculpting, and has appeared in various media including National Geographic magazine and on the NBC Today Show. Matsumoto has also been the National Snowsculpting Champion of Canada and twice Champion of Province of British Columbia.

His professional sandsculptures have been seen in more than 21 State Fairs and more County Fairs, malls, and festivals from Florida to Alaska and Hawaii. He has created sand sculptures in other countries and cities that include Perth, Melbourne, Sydney Australia, Luliang, Sanya China, Johannesburg South Africa, Venice Italy, Aruba, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Quebec City. Most recently he was called to carve snow for the NBC Today Show during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In the one photo…an archaeologist is trying to fit the skull onto THE TAIL tip of another skeleton! He states, “I always try to put a bit of a twist into my sculptures if I can–otherwise what fun is there in just making sandcastles all day?”

The other photo is a replica of a “dreaming castle” that he created at the Minnesota State Fair recently.

Be sure to stop by and check out his work starting Thursday morning, July 15 and stop by often to check on his progress until he finishes up the project on Saturday, July 17, around noon

Fly high above the 33nd annual Lakefest in Clarksville On the Lake in this Robinson R44 Raven I with pilot Todd Henderickson of North Carolina Rotor &Wing, a full-service aviation company of Louisburg, NC. Fly with two of your most favorite friends and you’ll view the thousands of people at Lakefest and also have a flight over the 50,000 acre Buggs Island Lake—complete with headsets for easy communication as you enjoy the scenic views below. Flights offer unobstructed views due to the R44’s open cabin design and are available for only $25 per person.

What does Flying Super Spinner, Monkey Mania/Barrels of Fun, Buccaneer Pirate Adventure, Giant Slide, Thomas the Train and Rocky 25 Climbing Wall mean to Lakefest? Too much fun!

To give an extra boost to the entertainment possibilities in Clarksville for Lakefest weekend, the Chamber has contracted with Fun Time Amusements of Danville to insure rides and games for all ages will be available. A total of nine activities will be in Clarksville for all to enjoy.

Fun Time Amusements has been providing family entertainment for more than 53 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. 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. Likewise, they perform their own electrical and safety checks before equipment operation and then, the State of Virginia’s safety officials’ follow-up with their inspections. In addition, employees of Fun Time Amusements who will be operating the rides are experienced and specially trained on an on-going basis.

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 17, 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.

There is nothing any finer on a hot Virginia afternoon than being blasted with some “cool water”—and that is one of the fun times that will be offered at 2010 Lakefest. Whether you decide to make it a game or a competition, you’ll have a great time. Opponents go to opposing battle stations with buckets of water-filled balloons. Each station has a launcher…just place one of your balloons in the launcher; pull down on the handle, aim, and fire! Your balloon will soar through the air and come crashing down on your opponent’s battle station. There are strategically placed holes and slots in the structure that allows the water from the balloon to go through. You might get sprinkled, sprayed, or saturated—there is no size, age or physical limitations, just lots of fun to play or watch. This game will be located at the main stage area on Saturday, July 17.

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.

Live and on-stage on Friday night at the 33rd Annual Lakefest in Clarksville will be one of the best variety bands available—The Upper Level.

This group performed throughout the region from 1986 until 2003, making several appearances at prior Lakefest events. In April of 2009, the band members were contacted about having a “reunion show.” Following that performance and pleas from those in the audience, the band members jointly decided to reenter the entertainment business with their high-level energy.

Members of the band include Spanky Taylor, lead male vocal; Watkins Meadows, lead guitar; Cheryl Reaves, female lead vocal; Jimmy Reaves, drums; Chuck Ferguson, keyboards; Craig Saunders, bass.

The Upper Level Band plays all your favorite kinds of music—everything from KC and the Sunshine Band to AC/DC. Don’t even chance missing one of their songs—the live performance will start on July 16, 7:00 pm on the main stage (entrance at 3rd Street and Virginia Avenue). Wear your dancing shoes, bring your lounge chairs, and prepare yourself for a super evening of music. The show is open to the public with no admission charge.

A variety of food vendors, commercial vendors and children’s games and rides will also be available. For more information, call the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce, 434-374-2436.

The Konnection Band—one of the East Coast’s most favorite party bands, will be live and on stage at Lakefest’s Saturday night show, July 17, starting at 7:30 pm. This band has performed for thousands and will entertain you with a variety of music including Top 40, Rock, Country, R& B, Beach and Oldies. The band has been featured at numerous festivals and has shared the stage with many national and regional acts including The Charlie Daniels Band, Delbert McClinton, Exile, Diamond Rio, Ray Scott, Jim Quick and Coastline, The Fantastic Shakers, Craig Woolard Band, and the Chairmen of the Board. The band is comprised of Mike Brooks, Dewey Young, Fred Donn, Brian Ramsey, Ben Currin, Doug Bass and Kenny Holliday.

Come out and get “konnected” with this band and with your friends. Wear your dancing shoes and bring your lawn chairs (you’ll need to rest once in awhile!).

Location of the main stage area is directly behind Wachovia Bank. Also, available nearby will be various food vendors and children’s rides and entertainment.

Immediately following their performance, the fireworks show over the lake will begin! You won’t want to miss all the fun and entertainment that Saturday night has to offer. The musical performance and firework show are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce at 434-374-2436.

The Official 2010 Lakefest t-shirts have arrived and are quickly being purchased by residents and visitors alike. The artwork depicted on the back of each shirt is a collage of four photographs taken during Lakefest. The shirts’ front has another graphic naming the 33rd annual event in Clarksville, VA. These shirts are preshrunk and washer and dryer safe, too. Each shirt is also imprinted with the Clarksville Ruritan official logo on the left sleeve, as they are the Lakefest 2010 Captain Sponsor.

The shirts come in a variety of colors—white, black, daisy yellow, royal blue and Irish green in sizes ranging from youth small to adult XXX-large. Youth shirts are $12 each, adults up to x-large are $16 and XX’s and XXX’s are $18.

T-shirts are now available at the Clarksville Chamber Office (105 Second Street), the Virginia Avenue Mall (317 Virginia Avenue), and Signs & Designs (598 Buffalo Road). Proceeds from the shirts will help to make Lakefest possible. Dates for this year’s event are July 15-17.