Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 18, 1990 TAG: 9005180712
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Donna Alvis
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"We have cowboys and cowgirls coming from 15 states, as far west as Oklahoma, as far south as Florida and as far north as Pennsylvania," said David Sale, organizer for the event.
That means it's time to dig out the Dingos, the Levis and the Stetsons, pardners.
The rodeo always promises a fun time and this year's bronc-bustin' bash is expected to draw more than 6,000 from the valley.
The rodeo, sanctioned by the International Pro Rodeo Association, features wild broncs, bulls, clowns and, of course, the amazing cowpeople (that's cowboys and cowgirls).
"Speed" Williams will be there - he's the world champion team roper.
So will Dan Dailey, the bronc-riding champ, and Micah John Calico, king of the bull riders.
The show will go on at 8 p.m. today and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
There's also a registered horse auction at the fairgrounds Saturday at 1 p.m.
Several special activities are planned for the pipsqueaks. Free pony rides, a calf scramble and a mutton-busting contest are among the offerings.
"Mutton-busting," by the way, is sheep riding. For the kids, it's as much fun - but not nearly as scary - as bronc-busting.
"The little ones don't have that far to hit the ground," Sale explained.
Sale said the rodeo also offers an opportunity to raise funds for some worthy causes.
"We're going to be selling chances on a real nice Western saddle and proceeds will go to the [Shriners]," he said.
"We're also auctioning another saddle to raise funds for the Bobby Hart Memorial Scholarship at Auburn High School."
Admission to the rodeo is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-12 at the gate. Children under 4 are admitted free.
Advance discount tickets are available at the Radford Travel Center and Radford Auto Auction.
\ GUTBUSTER, TOO: What? You don't know what a gutbuster is?
Obviously, you've never paddled a white-water kayak or a canoe as fast as you can 21 miles down the New River.
The Giles County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its annual Canoe and Kayak Gutbuster on Saturday.
The race starts at 11 a.m. and, according to spokesman Pat Muldoon, it's a race " . . . for people who want to enjoy themselves as well as strain their backs to get the best time."
The 21-mile race will begin at the New River Canoe Livery's launch site on Virginia 623 in Pembroke and finish at Glen Lyn Park.
The downhill course, which winds through the picturesque hills of Giles County, is haunted by a few of the spooks that frighten "Gutbuster" paddlers. There are some class III rapids - "class III" meaning "pretty perilous" - such as the one at Narrows Falls.
Participants are required to wear life preservers.
Registration for the event will be held in the Pembroke Town Hall from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and there will be a pre-race meeting there at 10:30 for all participants.
Spectators are welcome, too. In addition to watching the paddlers as they splash down the New River, spectators may take a gander at the Appomattox County bateau, a replica of an early Virginia cargo boat.
The bateau will float down the race course to demonstrate the way cargo was transported on the river in the late 1800s.
Crew members will be decked out in the authentic costumes of the period and will set up encampments much like those of the last century.
At the completion of the race, trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to winners in several categories.
The entry fee is $12 per paddler. Each entrant will receive a T-shirt and a chance to win a new Bluehole canoe.
\ LET THE BIDDING BEGIN: Christ Episcopal Church in Blacksburg will have a benefit auction tonight at 8. Don't be late.
"It's really going to be a fun evening," said Larkin Dudley, a spokeswoman for the church.
A few of the items to be auctioned include an airplane ride, a relaxing weekend at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a West Virginia getaway, an overnight stay at the Marriott, hand-knitted sweaters and guided nature hikes.
But the best prize up for grabs at this auction involves chocolate and other assorted sugary confections.
"We're offering a dessert-of-the-month for six months," Dudley said.
Now that's a prize!
Antiques and etchings, along with many gifts donated by local merchants, will be available for a silent auction, as well. The goods will be displayed for viewing at 6 p.m.
Admission to the auction is free but a minimum bid of $10 is required for each item.
Proceeds will help the children's Sunday school and the Montgomery County Community Shelter.
Christ Episcopal Church is on the corner of Church and Jackson streets. The auction will be held in the parish hall.
by CNB