Archive for ◊ May, 2013 ◊

  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 other states–Florida, Ohio, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Maryland, Georgia. 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 sculptures, personalized jewelry, 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, hummas; vegetarian offerings, Seafood–shrimp, crab cakes, fish tacos; 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 & yogurt…Sweet Frog!

You are invited to enjoy the nearly 200 vendors that will be in place on Virginia Avenue on Saturday, July 20, 9 am-5 pm. The street will be closed to traffic from 4 am until midnight. (Pictured are products from: Amazing Dresses, stuffed toys from jellykoe & jewelry from Liz Mitchell Designs)

Live on Stage July 19th: J B and the Get Down Brown’s

are a five piece band based out of South Central Virginia. Formed in 2009, the band has grown in popularity in Virginia, North Carolina and the East Coast by playing the best of R&B, Blues, Classic Rock and a touch of Beach music. All of the members have played in regional bands in the South Central Virginia area for over 25 years. In 2009, the band members got together to play a few private parties and their popularity spread throughout the region. They are known for having lots of fun on stage which is contagious to the crowd. All of the members sing lead vocals which enables the band to provide a wide range of entertainment. Playing festivals, weddings, restaurants, benefits, and private parties, J B and the Get Down Brown’s are one of the East Coast’s premier good time party bands.

Performing live on Stage July 20th, Improbable Cause!

Drummer Bill Watson formed local band “Improbable Cause” approximately two years ago. The moving force behind the band’s formation was to display the enormous natural talents of the band’s then fifteen year old lead guitarist and vocalist Adam Snow. Bill and Adam met at an informal jam session at a local Halifax business and after hearing Adam play Bill was so impressed he decided to dust off his old drum kit and seek out additional band members

The first and most obvious pick Ironically was Ronnie Snow Adam’s father. Ronnie had played guitar in several country bands in Southside Virginia. Bassist and vocalist Jerry Lovelace was next to join the group. Jerry’s prior musical experience was mainly limited to bluegrass. The group’s last edition was keyboard player Randy Savage who is an accomplished musician in his own right.

The band’s eclectic sound comes from the many diverse influences including Adam’s love of blues and rock, Bill’s experience playing rock in the late seventies, Ronnie’s country music roots, and Jerry’s love of bluegrass music. To this unique sound is added the classic strains of Randy’s key board. It is not a cliche to say that this band’s large repertoire of sounds includes music for everyone regardless of age or music preference.
Please take the opportunity to hear one of the best young guitarists and vocalist in the area, Adam Snow.

So if you’re are into rock, blues, country, country western, bluegrass, rap, beach, or contemporary music this band is for you.

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 18, 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 Halifax Regional Health System. 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.

This year’s Lakefest raffle is a host of prizes that will soar above the rest in a whole new way to 1 lucky winner!

This year’s “Lakefest Raffle ~ Up, Up & Away” , valued at over $1700, includes:

• More details to come

The drawing will be held on Friday evening during one of the band’s breaks on July 19, at the main stage area (behind Wells Fargo) and you need not be present to win. The person holding the winning ticket will win all of the gifts in the “Lakefest Raffle ~ Up, Up & Away”. Tickets are $5 each, $12 for three and $20 for six. You can purchase tickets at the Lake Country Chamber of Commerce, 105 2nd Street. All proceeds will benefit The Chamber’s future projects.

Enter your antique automobiles in the 19th annual Antique Auto Show, which will be featured at Lakefest in Clarksville on Saturday, July 20, 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) or HERE.

Bob Murphy, an organizer of the antique auto show is shown with two vehicles that he will be entering: on the left is a 1937 Ford, which took part in the July 2010 Dupont Registry, was the “Good Guys” pick at Myrtle Beach this year and it also won the PPG award in York, PA. Car on the right is a rare 1972 Buick Grand Sport Convertible–only 39 were made. Other organizers of the auto show are Lise Burnett, Glen Burney, and Jackie Lilly. The late Tom Lilly, husband of Jackie Lilly, originally sponsored this show.

• Trucker’s Parade for Cancer, Charlotte County & Nelson County, Va.
• Farmville Chamber of Commerce
• Ruritan Club of South Hill Va.
• Phenix Volunteer Fire Dept.

Beginning on the early morning of July 18, Alan Matsumoto and his friends will start their creative adventure in making a “larger than life” sand sculpture for the 36^th 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 sand sculpting fulltime now for 21 years.  He currently lives in Roanoke, VA.

He shared the World Champion Sand sculpting title my teammates for seven years straight, held a Guinness World Record in sand sculpting, and has appeared in various media including National Geographic magazine and on the NBC Today Show.  Matsumoto has also been the National Snow sculpting Champion of Canada and twice Champion of Province of British Columbia.

His professional sand sculptures have been seen in more than 24 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.  In 2010 he was called to carve snow for the NBC Today Show during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Be sure to stop by and check out his work starting Thursday morning, July 18 and stop by often to check on his progress until he finishes up the project on Saturday, July 20, around noon.

Alan and team in 2010 at the 33rd annual Lakefest

What does Flying Super Spinner, Scooby Doo, Thomas the Train, Fun Slide, Jurassic Adventure, and Rock Climbing Wall mean to Lakefest?  Too much fun!

The newest addition this year is called the Windjammer Kite Flyer.  It is a family ride adorned with brightly colored lights that has six hang glider type chairs that whisk you up, down, and around mimicking a flying effect.

The trackless tram will be running the streets again Saturday 10am-5pm.

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 55 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.  Besides the rides, Fun Time Amusements will also provide two “prize every-time” game booths that will be well stocked with prizes for the young and the young-at-heart.   Games will be dart balloon bust and kids fishing game.  As always, we will have cotton candy, candy/caramel apples, popcorn, sno-cones, and fresh lemonade.

Welcome back to the 2nd Annual Lakefest Idol Competition. The Clarksville Lake Country Chamber & Clarksville Community Players have created this exciting Fundraiser for Lakefest! We are happy to once again host a fun singing competition for those who love to sing and compete for a chance to showcase their talent at Lakefest Opening Ceremonies July 19th at 7 pm at the main stage area behind Wells Fargo.

Mirroring some of the exciting features of American Idol, The CCP & Clarksville Chamber will have a panel of judges, auditions and finals. The winner of the final competition will be named the Second Official “Lakefest Idol’ title winner and sing the night of the opening ceremonies.

Everyone will be able to come see the talent on the audition dates and the audience will even have a chance to vote at the top 10-finalist competition for their favorite singer on June 29th. So get your vocal cords ready and come be apart of the fun!! Download an application HERE.

Show your patriotism to the great United States of America and salute our Veterans—by being a participant or a spectator at the 2013 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 30.

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@nullaol.com or call 434-374-0794.