Archive for ◊ June, 2017 ◊

WELCOME to the 40th Annual Virginia Lake Festival “LAKEFEST” Celebration!

THE BIGGEST EVENT IN SOUTHERN VIRGINIA This year is spectacular and we are inviting you to come, party with us as we celebrate the area’s favorite event here in Virginia’s only Lakeside Town. Below you’ll find detailed information on some of this year’s happenings; Starting with our Annual Hot-air Balloon Tethering rides, to the welcoming ceremonies & finally the main day events to the gathering of the boats & fireworks

2017 Lakefest Schedule

• Tethered hot-air balloon event (Thursday)
• L O V E
• Welcoming Ceremonies Friday Night
• Musical Guests (Friday)
• LAKEFEST Raffle
• Juried Arts & Crafts Festival Saturday
• Shuttle & Parking Information
• Antique Auto Show
• Games & Rides
• Special Entertainment from a few Disney Princesses & Star Wars Characters
• Sand Sculpture Artist
• Musical Guest (Saturday)
• Official 2017 LakeFest T-Shirts & Souvenirs
• Top 20 Events
• Official LakeFest Logo

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 20, 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.

Three winners will have a chance to win a part of the Forty items for our Fortieth year & most of them are what would remind us of the time Lakefest all Started!

Ruby Red is the Color for 40th celebration and the First Prize winner will win the all in red package starting with a special edition LAKEFEST Coleman Cooler…if that doesn’t take you back down memory lane then maybe wearing a Tye-die tee, donated by Colleen’s Creations will, there is also 77 & 87 trivia cards that will have you remembering when. Along with other great prizes in this group is $100 in groovy Chamber Cash donated by our Admiral Sponsors, VET’s Inc!

Second Prize winner will win a Groovy time of games & Star Wars memorabilia & lots water fun with this super fun group of prizes. Star Wars turns 40 too, and this package has a 1977 replica poster that was framed by the Galleria on the Lake & you will be fighting the forces from taking your vintage inspired SW tee. You will receive an official LAKEFEST oval tub great for your iced drinks. Speaking of drinks you have official 1977 McDonald Character Glasses, a complete set, and they are filled with Candy from the era.

Grand Prize is Totally Mid Century MOD and will have you rolling back with some great decor, what is old is the NEW! In this set we are starting off with the official LAKEFEST YETI Tank complete with Lid, Everything mid-century & Vintage Here! Totally love the ottoman & orange mod table. Eeek I want it for myself!!!

Tickets are now on Sale! You need to stop by the Chamber office, this is a must see in Person! $5 per ticket, Drawing is Friday night of Opening Ceremonies, July 21st! We like to thank Lanco Paving, Absolute Construction, Karin Kuhn, Charles Anderson Lawn Care, Aunt Caroline & Her 20 Bunnies, also the businesses listed earlier, for their donation towards this package of prizes.

For more information, call the Chamber at 434-374-2436. Stop by the chamber to see all the great prizes we managed to catch!

Just for the kids, we are happy to announce that we are bringing a few special guests appearances back again to this year’s event! They will be here for a limited time during the festival, so you won’t want to miss them!

Belle is beautiful outside and in, and she knows that true beauty means being kind, helpful, patient, and caring. She loves to read and use her mind, and she uses her quick thinking to help out whenever she’s needed. She’s a strong-willed young lady who puts her family and friends first. Belle is looking forward to coming to LAKEFEST, she will charm you with her inner beauty and strength.

We also will have special appearances from Mickey Mouse!

Celebrating 40 years along with us is Star Wars! So Princess Leia & the Jedi plan to come party with us as we both celebrate 40 years and we have heard rumors Darth Vader & his Stormtrooper will be there too.

Princess Leia Organa is true royalty in the eyes of her friends. She’s a great leader and a hero of the Rebel Alliance. She’s smart, spunky, and determined, and she never stops fighting for what she believes in. She helps whenever she’s needed and fights whenever she must.

The Jedi are masters of the Force, and they use their knowledge of it to defend peace and justice throughout the galaxy. Their strength in muscle and mind is incredible, and they fight with great skill when it’s necessary. They will be traveling to LAKEFEST looking for ways to stand up against the dark side.

Darth Vader is a powerful Sith Lord with power over the dark side of the Force and a talent for choking anyone who challenges him. His skill in the Force makes him a difficult opponent for the Jedi, and his cruelty is well-known throughout the galaxy.

Stormtroopers are the grunts of the evil Empire and First Order. They answer to the Dark Lords of the Sith, carrying out their orders without question. They are a vital part of their masters’ vile plans. Stormtroopers may have weak minds and terrible aim, but they can be daunting opponents. Jedi should use caution if they encounter Stormtroopers at LAKEFEST

Performances will be at United Country Realty stage from 10:30-1:30 pm on July 22nd. Each set of Characters will perform at specific times and while they aren’t on stage they will be walking through the crowds. Specific times for performances will be announced at a later time.

Party Princess Productions provides high-end birthday party character entertainment, princess parties, superhero parties and many other character themed parties. Specializing in singing princesses, we also provide a wide variety of other characters. Our custom costumes and quality performers ensure the most authentic performance in town. Our characters face paint, sing, play games and take pictures! Our birthday party character entertainment is the perfect addition to your next party or event!

One of the events major attractions to Lakefest each year is the Sand Sculpture. We wait for almost three whole days to figure out what great work of art will be carved out of that huge pile of sand. The attraction is located in the Pocket Park, located at the corner of 4th & Virginia Avenue, near the LOVE sign.

Back this year is Ed Moore who was here in 2014 and has been the main sand artist for Lakefest for many years. Ed is the Founder of the Sandy Feat sand sculpture group, who grew up to be an architect. But he never gave up on his childhood pastime, which resulted in ever more complex creations, from elaborate castles built on beach vacations to the scores of sculptures he has cut into blocks of wet sand since founding the professional sand-sculpting team Sandy Feat 26 years ago.

He has a Bachelor’s degree in architecture, is a N.C. State University Residence, lives in Raleigh with his wife, Sally Moore. The Moore family has a long history at N.C. State, where he, his father and one of his sons all earned degrees. Moore says his father would often recall a tradition there from the 1920s called “Rush the Grand,” in which groups of students would take the trolley downtown to the Grand Theater. (Later called the Ambassador Theater, it has since been razed.) A large enough group would overwhelm the attendants, allowing the students to get in free.

Logan Robinson

Thrilled to have Logan back to kick off the Summers biggest Party! He will be playing a few of his favorites before Big Time Party Time Band takes center stage! Logan’s first single “Boat Docks” (video filmed right here in Clarksville, VA) hit several national/international radio and internet radio stations peaking at number 9 on the New Music Weekly Country Main Chart and number 5 on the New Music Weekly Top 30 Indie Chart!

Logan Robinson is a 22 year old singer/songwriter and developmental artist with SSM Nashville in Nashville, TN.  Even though Logan was born in NC, he considers Clarksville his second home.  Members of the Robinson family have owned a second home on Buggs Island for almost fifty years.  Logan has been spending his summers, with his family, in Clarksville since he was five weeks old.  In fact, his first music video for his top ten country single “Boat Docks” was filmed right here in Clarksville at the house he was raised at during the summers, now owned by his parents.

Logan has been busy this past year, while attending North Carolina State University, playing gigs, doing radio interviews, releasing his first Nashville recorded EP and traveling to and from Nashville when needed.  He was invited and played at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, TN, which is the largest country radio seminar in the US. He also appeared two days at the CMA Fan Fest Meet and Greet in Nashville in June.  Logan has recently been recruited to play the college circuit by SophieK Entertainment.  After graduating from college in December, Logan plans to continue to grow his music career, with big hopes to return to the studio soon to record many new songs!  Check out more on his website at www.loganrobinsmusic.com! Be sure to come out Friday, July 21st!

BigTime

We are bringing back BigTime-The Party Band, we had them scheduled Saturday night in 2015, but they only performed through half of their show due to the rain, so they really wanted the chance to come back and play for us again.

They celebrated their ten year anniversary in 2013. Since their formation in 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. 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!!!

Friday, July 21 stop by the corner of 4th & Virginia Avenue, where sand artist, Ed Moore, of Sandy Feat, has already begun his larger-than-life creation, I wonder what it will be this year?

The town will be busy preparing for the night’s activities as the main stage will be rolling in as well as a few selected vendors & Fun Time Amusements of Danville will be setting up all their machines for the all the children’s games & rides. Around 6:30pm everything should be set & placed into action. At 7pm, the night’s MC, will take stage to welcome you to the kick off to our 40th year and will start the night this year off with some special entertainment from a We got Rhythm Dance Academy. Then returning again to sing a few of his chart toping songs, LOGAN ROBINSON!

After his wonderful performance we will salute our wonderful sponsors to the stage! We couldn’t do it without them! Be sure you thank a sponsor if you see one. The 2017 Virginia Lake Festival would not be possible without Sponsorships. The great thing is most of our Sponsors have been supporting Lakefest year after year. We are hoping that in the years to follow, more businesses will consider thinking about supporting this event. Your generosity and support brings economic vigor to our community and allows Lakefest to be a dynamic and joyful celebration of Life in Lake Country. It is a TOP TWENTY event in the Southeast, no one else in our area has that tagged with their event.

Lakefest is the largest event in the area and is enjoyed by thousands not only in this town, but in surrounding towns. People travel from all over to come here. Vendors travel from Florida, GA, PA, OH & AL. Our whole county benefits from Lakefest, as well as South Boston & South Hill hotels receiving more guests this weekend.

We salute our sponsors of Lakefest and all their support of the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce. Come and give them a big THANK YOU, Friday night as we honor them for their support, along with these other great businesses that supported this year’s Lakefest.

Admiral

• VETS, INC.

Captains

• Clarksville Ruritans
• Amerigas

Commanders

• Benchmark Community
• Home HealthCare Delivered
• McDonalds of Clarksville
• Lake Motel & Magnuson
• SENTARA
• Lake Country Satellite
• Lakes Media/US 98.3

Officers

• Century 21 on the Lake
• CCB Citizens Community Bank
• Simmons & Associates Realty
• The News Progress
• The Mecklenburg Sun
• United Country Virginia Realty
• WCVE (90.1 FM) s
• VCU/CMH

1st Mates

• Blue Ridge Beverage
• Carter Bank & Trust
• Clarksville Marina
• HHM Porta Toilet LLC
• Mecklenburg Electric Coop
• Moore’s Chevrolet
• State Farm-Buchanan Insurance
• Sunoco A Plus/Papa Johns
• Talbert Building Supply
• Town of Clarksville
• Virginia Avenue Mall

Helmsmen

• Clarksville Auto Supply
• Matthew’s Sanitation

Deck Hand

• Absolute Contracting & Development
• Carol & Ed Brown
• Charles Anderson Lawn Care Service
• Diamond & Associates Real Estate
• Karin Kuhn
• Lanco Paving
• Wild Blue Travel

As soon as we are finished with taking the sponsor photo, the live entertainment for the evening takes stage….Big Time Band. We will be selling LAKEFEST t-shirts by the Clarksville Ruritans Thrift Shop, and also raffle tickets for the “Forty Flashbacks to Lakefest” Raffle.

The Castaways are the premier party band in the Carolinas and Virginia. A reputable band known throughout the South, The Castaways possess over fifty-five years of experience in the beach music industry. Since beginning in Durham, NC in 1961, The Castaways have been pleasing audiences with their unique flavor of Beach, Soul, and Rock N’ Roll for generations of fans.

The Castaways name has a long heritage and is known throughout the beach music community. With Karen Clayton on lead vocals, backed by veteran musicians and singers, The Castaways bring a full sound with a 3-piece horn section covering a variety of music. No tricks or gadgets – what you see is what you hear!

As recipients of Carolina Beach Music Awards in 2006, 2009, and 2012, The Castaways have proven to be a favorite among fans both young and old! Their previously released cds “Generation Six”, “Give It Up”, and “I’m Just Sayin’” on KHP Music have received great reviews as they have showcased the variety of vocal styles and song selections that The Castaways can offer. The original tune “Two Steps Forward” has become a favorite among the shaggers! Currently, the latest CD “Movin’ On” has been the #1 CD on The Beach Music Chart with 6 songs charting on The Beach Music Top 40 Chart in 2016!

But don’t let the “Beach Music” name fool you – The Castaways can bring current Country, Party/Funk, Top-40, and Southern Rock to the party too! From wedding receptions and corporate events to street festivals and nightclubs, The Castaways can please any crowd!

Come take a listen and you too will become a “Castanut”!
www.castawaysband.com
252-432-9706

The arts & crafts show is juried and the jurors have been kept busy reviewing applications and photographs since early in February. It is a packed house this year with over 200 vendors ranging from Crafts, Food, Non-profits & Retail items. Vendors this year are coming not only from Virginia, but also other states: Florida, Ohio, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania & Georgia.

The crafters have been extremely active in applying for this year’s show. We have lots of new & exciting booths this year, from amazing woodworkings, acrylic and oil paintings, pottery, leather products, birdhouses and garden accessories, carvers and sculptures, personalized jewelry, items to be personalized on the spot, pain relief jewelry, photography, clothing, home accessories and even homemade pet food & attire… just to name a few.

We have great things for the kids from treasure mining to Disney characters, face painters, character balloons & water slide, pony & amusement rides.

There will be no shortage of food vendors and we have some new and exciting food trucks vendors this year ranging from baked Argentinean empanadas, Fully Loaded Fritters, South of the boarder offerings, BBQ on Waffles, crab cake sandwich, to our usual Asian, Seafood, Mediterranean, Greek & your All-American choices too! There will be special items such as along with all the other fair favorites. For the sweet tooth, Sweet Frog is back, along with aa new ice cream vendor Hears the Scoop offering Premium Hand-dipped ice cream, also every kind of funnel cake you can think of which they have evolved into all the toppings and flavors a sugar lover could only dream about. There will be deep fried candy bars, & Oreos to icees, smoothies & popsicles. Cheesecake on a stick anyone? Smell the aroma of kettle corn, popcorn, cotton candy & more! All here on Saturday.

Lake Country Satellite is helping this year with Wi-Fi for the event and US98 & 3WD REWIND will be doing live remotes throughout the day! Disney Characters will be here for a short time from 10:30-1:30, so don’t miss them performing at the United Country Realty Stage. Virginia Avenue from Second through Fourth Street will not re-open at 5 pm so we have about 25 vendors opting to stay until the fireworks, so come on down any time of day. If you want to keep up with all activities, details & more of who is coming to Lakefest, go to our Lakefest Event page on Facebook to view our daily post on updates and information.

Check out all the updates via our Facebook Page or search our website for all the info.

Enter your antique automobiles in the 23rd annual Antique Auto Show, which will be featured at Lakefest in Clarksville on Saturday, July 22, 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

• Hard Luck Story
• Oldest Vehicle
• Longest Distance Traveled
• Diamond in the Rough
• Tom Lilly BEST IN SHOW Award (The most important trophy of the show!)

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 434-374-2279 or at the Chamber Office 434-374-2436 or Click Here to Download/Print and return with the $10 fee prior to festival or $20 day of the show. Or it can be mailed out or faxed to those interested in participating.

The new ride we plan on bringing for Lakefest is called the SCAT. You are a thrill seeker to take on this one as you are whisked around in high gravity cages that will leave you screaming for more.

Fun Time Amusements Rides has been providing family entertainment for more than 58 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.

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 22, 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-Treasure Quest sluice 1aboard Lakefest’s Fun-Time Train.

Treasure Quest

Treasure Quest Mining is back again this year and Kids will love this! Treasure Quest Mining is a mobile gem mining and treasuring hunting experience where treasure hunters can sluice for gemstones, seashells & fossilized sharks’ teeth or crack open geodes to reveal the crystals inside. They will be set up near Hite’s on Saturday, July 22.

Helicopter Rides

For the last six 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 $5 pony rides and two fun bouncy inflatables at the corner of 5th & Virginia Avenue across from State Farm Insurance. Five Blessings Farm is located in Gladys, VA…. They specialize in being your one stop for all of your family fun. They have six ponies to rent, an amazing petting zoo, and four various wet and dry inflatables for all of your entertainment needs. The cost of the inflatables is $7 for two times on the water slide or one on the slide or use the other ticket for the obstacle course, $15 for unlimited on either inflatable.

The Water Wars Booth

Play the ultimate water balloon game! From Warsaw, NC Water Wars is bringing some water balloon fun that you will have fun either as a game or competition–here is how you play: Opponents go to opposing battle stations with buckets of water balloons. Each battle station has a water balloon launcher. Place a balloon in the launcher, pull down on the handle, aim, and fire! Your balloon soars high through the air and comes crashing down on your opponent’s battle station. There are strategically placed slots and holes in the structure that allows the water to come through. You might get sprinkled, sprayed, or saturated, but watch out, retaliation comes quickly! Water Wars will be located in front of Watkins, Cooper, Lyon’s FH.

ADMIRAL Sponsors reps, Kendele Underwood & Josh Glasscock, proudly displaying the VETS logo and all the colors available.

The Official 2017 Lakefest t-shirts have arrived and they are MARVELOUS! Each shirt has the official ADMIRAL VETS INC Sponsor on the left sleeve & two of our Captain Sponsors, Clarksville Ruritans, & AmeriGas’s logo imprinted on the right sleeve.

The 40th edition shirts are s uper spectacular and have even more colors to choose from this year. But some are very limited in quantities, so you must come quickly because these colors won’t last long. Colors—we have a new feature on three of the tees that are in a soft style blend, colors available in soft style are: white, navy blue and “bodacious” berry! Other colors to dye for are our Candy Orange, Scuba Blue, Island Reef, Corn silk, Charcoal Grey! All colors range in sizes from youth small to adult 3xl. Youth shirts are $15 and come in Yellow, Sky & Navy blue, Adult sizes small to x-large are $20 and 2XL’s and 3XL’s are $22.

Tanks are back too in limited sizes & colors. Colors for the Ladies are: white, navy blue, island reef & raspberry- for the men we have white, navy blue & maroon. Get yours before they are gone! Tanks are $20 for regular sizes, 2XL are $22.

T-shirts are now available at the Clarksville Chamber Office (105 Second Street) and 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.

Souvenirs galore this year for our 40th! Starting with some fun caps & visors with either Clarksville, VA or LAKEFEST in assorted styles & colors! $15 for most styles, $12 for Visors!! We are big FANs of LAKEFEST and we have some super cute ones available along with some totally cool stadium cups, key chains & the official LAKEFEST 2017 light up fidget spinners!! We also have some items from last year still in stock…Bags, towels & water bottles!

Visitors can come see our community made LOVE sign on display at the pocket park at Virginia Avenue & 4th Street through the middle of August, then it will be moved Lakeside beside our Welcome to Clarksville Sign at the Sunoco A Plus

• L is for Lake Life, Lakefest and our Love for this town.
• O represents Clarksville’s history of the Occoneechi Indians and Opportunities here in Clarksville! We hope to capture great memories & visitors’ dreams of visiting again and again (or even that they will want to live here!)
• V is for our many Visitors that Vacation here in Clarksville and we want you to Value your time with us!
• E is for wishing Everyone wonderful Experiences. And we have to add our thankfulness for God’s Everlasting Love for us! We are looking forward to our Endless possibilities here in Clarksville! The END.

About the LOVEwork Project

• www.virginia.org/love– features all the LOVEwork with an interactive map so travelers can visit each one.
• Over the past few years, we have seen over 100,000 visits to the LOVEwork webpage
• We continue to see great engagement online with thousands of user-generated pictures on Facebook, twitter and instagram featuring the LOVEworks
• Visitors are encouraged to use #LOVEVA with LOVEwork pictures and share with Virginia Tourism’s social accounts, @visitvirginia

Parking? We get that question a lot here in our office, and to make life a little less stressful for you & the Town of Clarksville during Lakefest we encourage you to use the shuttle service offered to you as our solution for everyone. (View the Shuttle Map here)

This service will help with the age old question of where to park? This way you don’t have to worry about being stuck on the side street with all those others trying & hoping to find a spot nearby. The side streets are really narrow and if you are new to the area, you might not know the best way to navigate around the back roads, even though there are detour signs. Even if you are familiar and live out of town, there will be fewer headaches to park your car across from the YMCA, catch the bus and ride to the drop you off at 8th street. And any time you are ready to head back to your vehicle, a bus will be there within minutes to take you back.

Parking & Shuttle Service

Festival-goers are encouraged to Park & Ride.  Parking is $5 per vehicle; there is no charge to ride the shuttles to and from the festival.  Parking will be at the Lake County Business Park, on Noblin Farm Road.  The Shuttle will run from 8 am until 6 pm. If you want to participate in the night activities you will have to catch the last ride by 6 pm to retrieve your vehicle so you can then just park closer to town after 6 pm.

We are excited to announce that we are again working with the Mecklenburg County Public School division with renting two of their buses – one handicapped accessible – and hiring division bus drivers to operate them.

Sheila Cuykendall, Executive Director of the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce said the chamber traditionally hired a non-local bus service to bring people downtown from the event’s remote parking areas. Last year we wanted to find a way to provide the same service while spending the money locally. She approached the school division about renting two buses – one handicapped accessible – and hiring division bus drivers to operate them. The school board once again approved the request at its last voting session.

ATLANTA, Ga. April 28, 2017 – The Southeast Tourism Society has named 40th Annual Virginia Lake Festival “LAKEFEST” one of the STS Top 20 Event in the Southeast for JULY 2017.

Bruce Woerner, Chamber President, Sheila Cuykendall, Executive Director of Clarksville Chamber, Jeff Jones, Clarksville Town Manager

This year’s 40th Annual Virginia Lake Festival is July 20-22, 2017. The STS Top 20 Festival and Event Awards have highlighted programs around the Southeast since 1985.

Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes them throughout the United States. The complete list is published on two websites: EscapeToTheSoutheast.com and Travel Media Press Room.

For over 39 years, all the activities provided during this event have been free and open to the public. We are very committed to continuing this tradition, although our expenses continue to increase. Our entire community (population 1,400) becomes involved with one aspect or another of this three-day event. Our civic groups are instrumental in lending a hand, as well as our rescue, fire and police departments to insure that all of those attending have a wonderful and safe time. This year we are celebrating our 40 year milestone, and with that our hopes are to enhancing the elements of Lakefest festival goers enjoy so much! More vendor choices, Great music, sand sculpture, fun entertainment for the children, a great show of Hot air balloons, & the biggest Fireworks show to date!!

“The Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Festival and Event list is an excellent guide for the Southeast’s visitors, residents and travel writers. The events selected represent the best, and often most unique, activities in our region,” said Bill Hardman, president and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society.

Events considered for the STS Top 20 recognition must be at least three years old and have attendance of at least 1,000. Nomination forms and deadlines are available at SoutheastTourism.org or by calling 770-542-1523.

STS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting tourism to and within 12 states – Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.