Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 4, 1990 TAG: 9007050176
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Events in Blacksburg, Radford, Narrows, Floyd and Shawsville offer a lotfor families planning to enjoy a day off from the routine while celebrating America's freedoms.
Besides traditional summertime food and music, music, music, the celebrations offer a variety of entertainment. If the phrase "something for everyone" ever applied to anything, it's the New River Valley July 4 celebrations:
There'll be a greased pig contest and professional wrestlers at Floyd.
A log race, water ballet and a dance on an outdoor tennis court can be found in Narrows.
A birthday cake for the nation and a parade are on tap in Blacksburg.
Radford offers a scene from "The Long Way Home" as well as dance demonstrations.
Shawsville begins the day with a road race, followed by a horseshoe tournament and hot-air balloon rides.
And that's not all! Here are the details on today's Independence Day events:
Blacksburg
A Main Street parade kicks off Blacksburg' festivities for the Fourth. The Mount Tabor Ruritan Club sponsors the one-hour parade that begins at North Main and Progress streets at 2:30 p.m. and ends about an hour later at the Blacksburg Middle School.
After the parade, entertainment and children's activities are at the west lawn of Lane Stadium, 4-9:30 p.m.
Before closing fireworks at 9:30 p.m., the new Celebration Chorus makes its debut - accompanied by the Blacksburg Community Band - with several patriotic songs.
Concession stands operated by the Blacksburg Civitans and the Blacksburg Jaycees will be open 4-8:30 p.m. and Sovran Bank will serve watermelon starting at 5:30.
Here is the schedule:
\ 4-5 p.m.: Puppets by Pizzazz.
\ 4:30-8:30 p.m.: Juggling by David Bear Stuart.
\ 5-8 p.m.: Games for all ages organized by the town parks and recreation department.
\ 6 p.m.: Olen Gardner & The Appalachian Ramblers.
\ 7 p.m.: Woodie and Marcia McKenzie.
\ 8 p.m.: Birthday cake from Wades Supermarket.
\ 8:15 p.m.: Speakers.
\ 8:30-9:30 p.m.: Blacksburg Community Band and the Celebration Chorus perform patriotic songs.
\ 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks sponsored by the Virginia Tech Union and Blacksburg Parks and Recreation.
Radford
The celebration in Bisset Park begins at 10:30 a.m. with an opening ceremony that includes remarks by Mayor Tom Starnes.
A variety of entertainment - dance, drama and music - is scheduled throughout the day.
Fireworks by the Radford Jaycees will cap the evening.
WRAD and WFNR radio stations will broadcast from the park. Several businesses and community groups will have entertainment and food booths.
Here is the schedule:
\ 10:30 a.m.: Welcome by Mayor Tom Starnes; invocation, the Rev. Dennis Martin, Radford Christian Church; National Anthem, Kay Ellerman; Radford Fourth of July theme song, "I Love America," by Ellerman and Susie Goodykoontz.
\ 11 a.m.: Terry Wilson's Academy of Dance, Christiansburg.
Games for children 6 and younger, shelter No. 1 area.
\ 11:30 a.m.: Herman Simpkins & The Heaven's Jubilee - gospel.
\ Noon: The cast of "The Long Way Home" will perform a scene from the outdoor drama.
Games for children, ages 7-12, shelter No. 1 area.
\ 12:15 p.m.: Jim & Red, The Virginia Drifters - country and bluegrass.
\ 1 p.m.: Ernest Alderman - harmonica and guitar.
\ 1:15 p.m.: Turn-N-Q Square Dance Club.
\ 1:45 p.m.: Night Run - bluegrass and country.
\ 2:30 p.m.: Second Chance - gospel.
\ 3 p.m.: Olen and Frances Gardner and the Appalachian Ramblers - bluegrass.
\ 3:45 p.m.: Highland Gospel Singers.
\ 4:15 p.m.: Nuthin' Fancy - country and Southern rock.
\ 5 p.m.: New Gospel Tones.
\ 5:30 p.m.: Country Class - country.
\ 6:15 p.m.: Blackburn Brothers - bluegrass.
\ 7 p.m.: Copperhead - country.
\ 7:45 p.m.: Matt Goins, The Singing Nippers (gospel) and Downeast Quartet.
\ 10 p.m.: (time approximate) Fireworks.
Narrows
The Narrows Kiwanis Club sponsors the 40th annual homecoming festival and water carnival today at the town park.
Gates open at 8 a.m. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children in grades K-12.
Children's games, a log race, music, a water ballet and fireworks are part of the scheduled entertainment.
Picnicking, bingo, swimming, carnival games and food booths also are available.
The Wrong Athens Band will perform throughout the afternoon. A dance will be held on the tennis court, 8 p.m.-midnight. Admission is an additional $2.
Here is the schedule:
\ 9 a.m.: Raising of the flag.
\ 10 a.m.: Giles arts and craft show.
\ Noon-5 p.m.: Childrens' events: sawdust treasure hunt; swimming and diving contest; sack race; water balloon toss; foul-shooting contest; three-legged race.
\ 7 p.m.: Log race.
\ 8 p.m.: Evening Show - Donna Charles and the Top Flite Band.
Water Ballet directed by Tammy Johnston.
Professional fireworks display.
Dance.
Floyd County
Festivities start at noon at the Floyd County High School athletic field.
Entertainment includes a greased-pig contest, professional wrestlers, cloggers and musicians.
The Jamboree Pickers, a group of 40 musicians, will play. Gospel music will be performed by the Sounds of Harmony. Cloggers are the Patrick Henry Travelers.
Admission is 50 cents. Door prizes will be given.
Sponsors are the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce and Floyd Merchants and Businessmen's Association.
Shawsville
You can make up for all the barbecued food you'll eat later in the day by running in the 3.1-mile road race at 8 a.m. A 10 a.m. parade is the prelude to the 11 a.m.-10 p.m. celebration.
Entertainment includes music, flea markets, a horseshoe tournament, an auction and hot-air balloon rides. Fireworks start at 10 p.m.
Christiansburg
Hills Department Stores has its annual fireworks display about 10:15 p.m.
by CNB