Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 1, 1993 TAG: 9309300144
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Bands, historic railroad exhibits at the renovated train station and other festival activities are expected to draw townspeople and visitors outdoors.
"Freedom Festival Along Peak Creek" is the theme of this year's Pulaskifest, which honors Polish-born Revolutionary War hero Count Casimir Pulaski. The count lent his name to both the county and the town - though he never visited Southwest Virginia.
The festival's first chili contest will be stirred and sampled on the front lawn of the old courthouse. "I think it's going to be a lot of fun," said Karen Graham, Pulaski Main Street vice president and member of the festival committee.
Sonny Gibson of Sonny's Place restaurant is sponsoring and coordinating the event.
Chili cooks will prepare their specialties the night before the cook-off and be set up in front of the courthouse at 10 a.m. for judging at 11 a.m. The winning chefs will receive prizes for first, second and third place - and they won't have to reveal their secret recipes.
Tables, camp stoves, crock pots and hot plates [and electric power], as well as utensils and sample cups, will be available, Graham said.
The recently rebuilt courthouse will be open for tours. Inside, visitors can examine an antique doll exhibit.
Three bands will entertain: Country band South Bound will be onstage in front of the Municipal Building at 11 a.m.; Bluesmakers Frankie and the Blue Lights take over at 1 p.m., followed by country band Sierra at 2:30 p.m.
To capitalize on the town's railroad heritage, several activities will center around the remodeled train station, where the Norfolk Southern exhibit car will be. Norfolk Southern describes the rebuilt passenger car as "a rolling museum." It contains railroad-related hands-on exhibits, including a solar-powered model railroad, computer displays, videos and more.
All around the station will be children's activities, plus exhibits of railroad models and paraphernalia. Weather permitting, there will be a children's petting zoo and an exhibit of live, exotic birds.
A mime troupe from Pulaski County High School will perform at the train station at 1 p.m. A dance contest is set for 2 p.m.
Inside the station, a vintage model train setup will be on display, featuring models dating back to World War I.
Arts and crafts vendors, artists, food vendors and others will set up shop around Jackson Park. Dozens of exhibitors are expected to be on hand. Downtown Pulaski merchants also will take part in the festivities.
The festival will run 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call Dave Hart, 980-1000, or Wade Lephew, 994-1520.
by CNB