Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 14, 1990 TAG: 9006140272
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Balloons go up at 7 a.m. on the first day at the Wytheville Community College grounds - 15 hot-air balloons floating to landings in the countryside as a bright-colored signal that the sixth annual festival is under way.
Fifteen other balloons will take off from spots in Wythe County and try to land on the college grounds.
The fly-in, fly-out will be repeated Sunday morning. And weather permitting, a mass balloon ascension is set for 6:30 Saturday evening.
People can get a close look at the giant balloons on the ground at dusk Friday at the Factory Merchants Mall, where propane fuel-burners will be lighted inside the anchored balloons for a light show.
Opening-day activities will continue with a chili cook-off at 10 a.m.; a parade at 10:30 a.m.; the opening of art, crafts and photography exhibits and sales; two performances of "The Tortoise and the Hare" by Theatre IV; a historical tour of the town; a magician and clown show by the Virginia Comedy and Dance Troupe; and music by the Virginia Highlands Pipes and Drums, Tim Musick with Wolf Hill, and later with the Good Times Band, Southern Country Cloggers, Appalachian Trail and Gary Puckett.
And that is just the first day. Similar programs are planned for the next eight days, all of them free.
Most of the activities will be in Elizabeth Brown Memorial Park, but some will be at churches, schools, the Wythe County Courthouse, Wytheville Community College and Wythe County Public Library. Complete programs will be available at the Chautauqua office on Spring Street.
Other musical highlights during the festival are the Richmond Ballet on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.; the Artie Shaw Orchestra led by clarinetist Dick Johnson, Monday at 7 p.m.; the Trapezoid folk music group Tuesday at noon and 7 p.m.; the all-woman Wild Rose country music group Wednesday at 8 p.m.; classical vocalist Chantel Repass on Thursday at noon; Irish balladeer Frank Emerson on Friday at noon; violinist Martha Hancock at 1 and 5 p.m. Friday; concert organist Frederick Hohman with a master class and concert June 23 at 2 p.m.; and the Wytheville Community College Concert Band June 24 at 8 p.m., just before the fireworks display ending the festival.
Tami Renee Elliott, the reigning Miss Virginia, will make an appearance Tuesday at 2 p.m. Elliott was a talent award winner in the Miss America Pageant, and will be displaying that gymnastic talent at a 6 p.m. performance.
The Galax Theatre Guild will give a performance June 21 at 9 p.m.
Creative writing day will be June 22 with writing workshops and the announcement of winners in the festival's writing contest. An antiques show and sale will open Friday at Spiller Primary School. An antique car show will be held all day June 23.
Among the other activities during the week are a cooking show Monday, June 18, a pet show June 21, a petting zoo June 22 and a chess tournament and five-kilometer run June 23. Children's events also are scheduled.
Shows and exhibits include indoor and outdoor art shows, a crafts show, flower show, doll and stuffed animal show, photography, special art exhibits, needle and fiber art show and archaeology.
A variety of food vendors will have stands in the parking lot near the park.
by CNB