
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, September 17, 1993                   TAG: 9309160016
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By JOANNE ANDERSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

PAST WILL BE PRESENT

As the 21st century approaches, it's comforting to know that elements of the past that shaped our lives and communities are still present. For the ninth year, Christiansburg takes to the streets Saturday to celebrate its heritage with the Wilderness Trail Festival.

It's a time of community camaraderie; the kind of day you saunter around downtown, smile at townsfolk and visitors, linger at any one of 150 or so craft booths, visit with a clown, enjoy regional and ethnic foods, and watch the goings-on.

Weaver Jane Jones will create one of her traditional Appalachian mountain patterns, and quilter Christalene Duncan will wind her needle through fabric and batting.

Edwin Keith will demonstrate some of his reed-weaving techniques, shaping baskets and caning chairs. Self-taught artisan Verily Simpkins will show how she makes her cornhusk dolls, many of which reside in various countries in Europe.

There'll be spinning by Rich Creek resident Suzanne Plaza, who picks, cards and spins fleece before knitting garments she designs. One piece can consume more than 40 hours of hand work.

Blanche Kanode, a dressmaker, seamstress and accomplished needleworker for years, will demonstrate the age-old skill of candlewicking, creating unique designs with threaded knots.

You can follow your nose to Chuck Wagon Alley, otherwise known as Hickok Street, for bratwurst, buffalo burgers and barbecue pork and chicken, ham biscuits, corn dogs, pork rinds, cotton candy and other appetizing edibles.

More than a dozen toe-tapping musicians, dancers and cloggers will entertain throughout the day, starting with the Tina Hicks Dancers at 10 a.m. and ending with the band Fescue 911 at 5 p.m.

Kids can find pint-sized fun at the kiddie karnival, and the over-18 crowd can participate in raffles for Lotto tickets and Lori Morgan concert tickets.

Prints of painter Barbara Capps' "History of the Eagle" will be available, as will festival T-shirts, caps and mugs and a few remaining bicentennial items. Admission is free. Sponsors are the Christiansburg-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Country Elegance and New River Valley Mall.

by CNB