Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 29, 1993 TAG: 9306290078
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
That's what organizers of this year's Steppin' Out must have said after getting their first look at the new T-shirts for the 1993 summer festival.
The shirts, designed by artist Robin Rogers, feature three dancing cows adorned with dark sunglasses and grass hula skirts and promote the event for Aug. 4 through Aug. 6.
Unfortunately, the event will be held Aug. 5 through Aug. 7.
The mistake wasn't caught until about 5,000 shirts had been printed, so members of the Blacksburg Downtown Merchants decided to make the best of the situation:
"It's just one of those mistakes," said Judy Murray, co-owner of Fringe Benefit. "We couldn't afford to print any more."
Jim Dymock, manager of Davidson's, said he is confident that T-shirt sales won't be hurt by the minor mishap.
"At least everyone will have a collector's item," Dymock said.
Steppin' Out T-shirts are the primary fund-raiser for the Blacksburg merchants' group, which puts all of the money back into the town.
The group sponsors community events and marketing and revitalization projects downtown.
The shirts, available in nine colors and costing from $12 to $17, are on sale at Books, Strings & Things, The Emporium and Davidson's.
Marion Adam, manager of The Emporium, said that the shirts are as popular as ever and that customers haven't noticed the wrong date.
"We noticed when we got the shirts, but most of the customers have just been talking about the design," she said.
"They like the cows."
The festival has been extended to three days this year to attract guests of the Family Motor Coach Association's 30th Summer Convention, which is scheduled for Aug. 3 through 5 on the campus of Virginia Tech.
Steppin' Out features live entertainment, children's activities, local crafts and exotic food booths - and, this year, misdated T-shirts.
by CNB