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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 19, 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 will be available for purchase, courtesy of Sentara MeadowView Terrace. A minimal fee will be charged for the food and activities; however, all proceeds will be donated to the Southeastern Alzheimer’s Association. Children’s games, and other activities will be available at the event, too!
A dunking booth (fundraiser for provided by Sweet Virginia Barn cats). The Cottage Barn will have ice cream available at the tethering.

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.

Playing live acoustic at Opening Ceremonies, Logan Robinson is a 23 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. https://www.loganrobinsonmusic.com/

After Saluting our Sponsors, put your dancing shoes on!

Miss Mini and Pressure Point Bio

When you go to hear Miss Mini and Pressure Point, be sure to bring your dancing shoes. You’re gonna need ‘em!   Miss Mini and Pressure Point is a very talented group of singers and musicians who have just one goal in mind…making you dance! There is well over a century and a half of musical talent that makes up this high energy band. They play the best in Top 40, R&B, Beach Music, Southern Soul, Blues and more. They play their original music as well as cover tunes. In fact, many of the songs that they cover are unique to this band because their talent allows them to play the most complex arrangements. They can also easily take and play requests.  For years they have traveled up and down the Eastern Seaboard delighting audiences with their musical expertise and showmanship and will continue to do so for many more to come.  For more information about the band including individual bios, videos, pictures and more, visit the website missminimusic.com.

Enter your antique automobiles in the 24th annual Antique Auto Show, which will be featured at Lakefest in Clarksville on Saturday, July 21, at Century 21 On the Lake (412 Virginia Avenue) and the lawn areas adjacent to the realty office. Great trophies will be given in the categories:

•     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 or 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.

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 last year 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.

Saturday, July 21st is Shame for Sydney. With a song list that extends from rock, country, R&B, and blues from the decades of the 70’s 80’s 90’s to today, Shame for Sydney keeps the set list as current as possible, mixing in all your favorite dance classics. Shame for Sydney is outgoing and energetic, they are a VA/NC based band consisting of four seasoned and professional musicians of the highest caliber.

Starting out as an original rock band in 2002 Shame for Sydney has completely turned 180 degrees to become your ultimate party band. Before Shame for Sydney was formed each musician toured locally, regionally, and nationally.

This year’s 41st Annual Virginia Lake Festival is July 19-21, 2018. 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 40 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.

Happy to announce our 41st Logo Design Winner! Hunter Davies from Nelson, VA is awarded our $250 prize for his winning artwork. Hunter has just graduated from Bluestone High School this May. I asked him what he plans to do with his $250 and he quickly replied that he is going to save it. He plans to work with his parents who just started a fencing company for a while till he moves on. Last year was his first Lakefest experience after moving here from the Brunswick area two years ago.

This was a project through his advanced art class at Bluestone, taught by Michael Jancart. Several students turned in their designs for our Logo Contest. This logo will appear on our official Lakefest t-shirts and promo materials. Congrats Hunter! Thank you to all the other entries, it is always a tough decision for the panel of judges

Come to Clarksville, Virginia Saturday, May 12, to the Big Lake Flea Market and our NEW Farm Fresh Marketplace! Shop for 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, including freshly picked strawberries straight from the patch. Come hungry, too, and dine at a variety of our restaurants in town, also have a few food vendor serving fried fish, hamburgers & other fixings.

Vendors will be located on the pavement (in the parallel parking spaces) along Virginia Avenue from 2nd 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.

WINE FEST TICKETS have arrived and are on sale online for the upcoming Clarksville Lake Country Wine Festival in Clarksville! We have a some new & improved changes proposed for the layout on the bridge, weather permitting, the annual event is on Saturday, April 14, NOON to 5 pm.

We are hosting 16 Virginia wineries, a selection of craft beer, great food, hand selected artisan vendors and a few local merchants & live music by Jeff Bailey and Brian Park & Tobacco Road Band.

So mark your calendars and start the morning downtown shopping the stores & dining at our restaurants then stroll down to the Lake Motel to view the Sea Planes and for those who are 21 and over, at high noon the gates to the Wine Festival located this year at second street will open to the business bridge.

You can purchase to the left (or below if you’re on your phone) or at the Chamber office, Galleria on the Lake, The Virginia Avenue Mall, Century 21 on the Lake & Cooper’s Landing Inn. Tickets in advance are $25, $30 at the gate, ticket includes a souvenir wine glass. For non-taster/DD tickets in advance are, $12, $15 at the gate.

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

“ANCHOR IN” with the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce & community in 2018!

ANCHORED is our campaign motto for the 2018 Membership Drive here at the Clarksville Lake County Chamber of Commerce. Every January we send out well over 300 membership packet applications to partner with area businesses & organizations. In 2017, we had 213 members of the Clarksville Chamber.

Our primary purpose of this Chamber is to our members. Members are “preferred” businesses because they make the commitment to the purposes of the Chamber – to promote civic, economic, and area enterprises. Chamber members promote job readiness for youth, efficient public services, a positive business climate and solid customer service. This Chamber refers only investing members’ information throughout the year. We make thousands of referrals yearly via telephone, email and person-to-person, In our office alone, we handled more than 16,000 inquiries in 2017—phone calls, emails, social media contacts (Facebook) and people walking through our door, all asking questions and needing assistance with information.

We have accomplished so much this past year, and not without the help of our members! In 2017 we held 12 events: Wine Festival, Big Lake Flea Market, Lake Festival, Harvest Days & Oktoberfest, Trick or Treat the Avenue, Estate Planning Seminar, Lamppost Decorating Contest, Holiday Open House, Christmas Parade, and our Christmas Social. We had 10 “Business After Hours” events, 5 ribbon cuttings, and our involvement and support of the 4th of July Parade, Cruise-ins & new LAKE LIFE LIVE concert series.

Not only does the Chamber organize, host and help at events, much time is spent providing the community with weekly news, bi-monthly newsletters, marketing efforts on Facebook (nearly 7500 followers) & Twitter, and recruiting new members. The Chamber also assists visitors, promotes the coupon and Chamber Bucks programs, and continues to maintain the LOVE sign.

With the support of our members we are also able to continue streaming live videos of our beautiful downtown & Lake Views from three webcams.

Next year, we hope to accomplish even more, and hope that you know we could not do it without our members! Please join our organization for another successful year by renewing your membership. We hope you will consider being a part this great “sailing” (team) and we really look forward to assisting you, the visitors & residents and promoting this great community we all love so much! Join in 2018!

Let us help promote your business or special interest! Join and become “anchored” with the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce- working & growing together is all the power we need to Succeed!

Thank you, in advance, for supporting your Chamber and your community!

It’s official! The Chamber of Commerce in Clarksville, VA is starting a new Farmers Market called “Clarksville Farm Fresh Marketplace”. Based on responses to a prior email sent to many farmers and producers in the area, we feel as though we have enough interest to move forward. This is exciting news for us, and we hope it is for you as well.

Market Details

• The Clarksville Farm Fresh Marketplace will take place on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 9 am -12:30 pm or while supplies last.
• It will begin on April 28, 2018 and end on October 27, 2018.
• We are currently seeking local products such as: vegetables, fruits, herbs, meat & seafood, eggs, jams & jellies, baked goods, honey, plants & flowers, nuts & seeds, cheese & milk, other agricultural products, etc.
• The location will be in downtown Clarksville, VA, but the specific location depends on the number of vendors.

We are strongly committed to bring fresh local products: every item you see at the market will produced by the people selling it, and it all comes from no more than 100 miles away.

We are looking for local Virginia farmers and artisans. Eligible members must reside and produce items to be sold within a 100-mile radius of Clarksville.

According to the Virginia Cooperative Extension reported that, “Southern Virginia households spending is 15% of their weekly food budget on locally grown food products would generate $90 million in new farm income for the region.”

When you shop at your neighborhood farmers market, not only are you appeasing your taste buds, but you’re giving your community an economic boost. Ever dollar counts to our local farmers & artisans.

Download our Rules & Application Sheet here or Contact the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber for more information and. 434-374-2436

Last Year’s Lakefest Logo

The 41st Lakefest committee is calling out to all local artist to create the next LAKEFEST LOGO for 2018, which could net you an extra $250 in your pocket?

Consider putting your talents to work for the 2018 Virginia Lake Festival (Lakefest) and become the winner of the reward. The Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce encourages area artists to enter the winning logo design for the 41st Lakefest that is scheduled for July 19-21, 2018. In addition to the cash reward, the winning artist will have their design featured on the official 2018 Lakefest t-shirts and on brochures, flyers and other media promotions of the three-day event, plus be promoted in area newspapers for their accomplishment.

Those wanting to enter the contest may download an entry form, pick up an entry form at the Clarksville Chamber of Commerce, 105 Second Street, or pick one up at the Virginia Avenue Mall or call the Chamber and one will be mailed to you. For artwork designs to be considered in the judging, original and signed entries must be delivered to the Clarksville Chamber Office or submitted by mail to the Lake Festival Committee, P.O. Box 1017, Clarksville, VA, 23927, no later than March 12th, 2018. For more information call the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce at (434) 374-2436 or contact us.

Make your holidays extra special by attending the Christmas in Clarksville Open House on Sunday, November 19th! Downtown merchants have made special plans to be open from 1-5 pmand help you to wrap up your holidays with one-of-a-kind special gift ideas, discounts and refreshments. In addition, carolers will be strolling along Virginia Avenue singing your holiday favorites. Santa Claus will be at Santa Land located in Virginia Avenue Mall. Take a ride down Virginia Avenue in a horse drawn carriage, provide by B & W Carriage, of Buffalo Junction. Downtown Clarksville will be shining in its beautiful splendor of the holidays that take you back to Christmas of yesteryear.

Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy what Downtown Clarksville has to offer for the holidays. Remember that when you spend your money here, 1% of your tax dollars go back into our community!  SO…SHOP MECKLENBURG FIRST!

Kick off December by attending or participating in Clarksville’s annual Christmas Parade, December 1st at 6:30 pm. What’s more fun than marching December in with a Christmas Parade, cant think anything? Me either. So come enjoy the floats, bands, & see Santa in his sleigh!

It’s time to register for the Clarksville Christmas Parade ENTRY FORM must be received in the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber Office by Thursday, November 30th, to be eligible for the December 1st event. We are seeking participants—beauty queens, businesses, community clubs, organizations, churches, antique vehicles and others interested in making this the best parade to date.

The parade will be fun-filled with no competitions and each entry is required to adhere to the parade regulations below. The parade is hosted and sponsored by the Clarksville Chamber and the Town of Clarksville. For more info, contact the Chamber at (434) 374-2436.

RULES & REGULATIONS

• Registered entries only—deadline December 2nd; NO Santa on any entry, Line-up format is provided when registering is completed.
• All entries must be decorated in a Christmas theme for the Holiday and abide with these parade rules and regulations
• No candy may be thrown from entries; walkers alongside may hand candy to the children.
• No sirens, horns or air-horns may be used.
• Drivers of all entries must have a valid driver’s license.
• No entry may halt the parade (only exception will be marching bands).
• Participants must be in line by 6:15 p.m. sharp; specific line-up location is provided with the registration form.
• The Parade Committee reserves the right to reject any and all entries for any reason before and during the parade. No inappropriate actions or displays will be tolerated.

Please be aware that Highway 58 Business will be closed to truck traffic (trucks will need to utilize the Highway 58 Bypass) from 6-8 pm. During this same time, Virginia Avenue (2nd to 9th Streets) will be closed to vehicle traffic from 6-8 pm. So parade preparations may be completed, parallel parking along the parade route will be eliminated beginning at 5 pm through the duration of the parade.

Tuesday, October 31st, from 5:30-7pm Downtown Clarksville Virginia will be hosting Trick or Treat on the Avenue! It’s a the safe & fun way to Trick or Treat and great way to load up on those sweet treats!

Spooky NEWS is that the street will be CLOSED this year, so there be a lot of extra fun this year!!

Over 40 merchants and civic organizations will be participating and most will be all dressed up in their costumes and handing out treats from 2nd Street to 8th Street.  All children up to age 12 are invited to this Spooktacular event; each must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Please, no masks are to be worn by those 12 years of age or over.