Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 1, 1994 TAG: 9407010051
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: NICOLE A. PAGE SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The New River Valley will offer a variety of unique celebrations and festivals in keeping with tradition. One celebration will offer visitors a chance to relive some area history.
Radford's 13th annual Celebration in the Park will feature a performance of "The Long Way Home," a historical drama about area settlers who faced hardship and triumphed over the odds as settlers of the mountainous western territories.
The New River Valley is an area rich with traditions and historical landmarks and tradition. At one time more than 75 percent of major western traffic, including Lewis and Clark, had to cross through this area to access the Cumberland Gap, the easiest passage through the mountains. Drapers Meadow was and remains a great monument to those who wanted to tame the western wilderness.
Mary Draper Ingles and her husband, William Ingles, made their homestead in Drapers Meadow in 1755.
Tragedy struck when their settlement was raided by Indians and Mary Ingles, her two young sons, and her sister-in-law, Betty Draper, were captured and led away amidst the broken and murdered bodies of the remaining settlers.
The story follows Mary Draper Ingles on her escape and through her long journey home.
Mary Jane Harmon, chairwoman of Fourth of July in Radford, says the play should be part of the celebration because it signifies Radford's role in American frontier settlements. "It has been a part of the celebration in the past, and will be in the future because it is a part of Radford's history," she said.
The Radford celebration will emphasize the historical value of the region and family spirit. "When you talk about the Fourth of July and what it means," explains Richard Buck, play producer, "you have to talk about where it all happened."
Events begin at 10 a.m. Games for children 6 and under will be held at 11 a.m. Featured entertainers include dancing groups and country, gospel and bluegrass bands. Vendors will sell pizza, funnel cakes and more. The day wraps up with a wreath-laying at 7 p.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, followed at 9:30 p.m. by a traditional fireworks display.
Admission is free. Call Mary Jane Harmon at 731-3634 for more information.
Other events include:
Blacksburg Independence Day celebration, Monday. Festivities include a parade on Main Street at 2 p.m. sponsored by Mount Tabor Ruritan Club and the Parks and Recreation Department. On the West Lawn of Lane Stadium beginning at 3:30 p.m. there will be live entertainment by Olen and Frances Gardner and the Appalachian Ramblers, free watermelon while it lasts and children's games. Concessions include a barbecue dinner, $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children. Other entertainment includes: the River Boat Ramblers at 4:30 p.m.; the Grace Notes at 5:30 p.m.; Power Force at 6:30 p.m.; the Sweet Adelines at 7:30 p.m.; and the Blacksburg Community Band and Celebration Chorus at 8:30 p.m. At 9:30 p.m. there will be a fireworks display. The celebration is sponsored by the town of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. Admission is free. Call Bill Winfrey at 961-1135 for further information.
Floyd County Independence Day Celebration, Monday. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. and include a welcoming speech by the mayor, a sports card show, a 4-H youth exposition, an arts and crafts sale, a children's pet show. Field events begin at 2 p.m. for all ages. A mountain music competition, complete with flat-footing and clogging, will begin at 4 p.m. The celebration will end with a traditional fireworks display after 9 p.m.. The festival will take place at Floyd County High School athletic field and is sponsored by the merchants and civic organizations of Floyd County. There will be a gate charge of 50 cents. For more information, call Carlotta Summers at 789-7486.
Narrows Kiwanis Club 44th Annual Water Carnival and Homecoming Festival, Monday. Gates open at 8 a.m. and admission is $3 for adults, $1 for students and children. Festivities include a flag-raising at 8 a.m., games, arts and crafts, contests, bingo and a treasure hunt. Evening entertainment, which begins at 8 p.m., includes music by River's Edge and Wild Heart and a fireworks display at dusk. The Giles Arts and Crafts Guild will hold its 16th summer show and sale in connection with the carnival. The events will be held at Narrows Town Park (Boom Park) and is sponsored by the town of Narrows and Narrows Kiwanis Club. For more information, call Bob Williams at 776-3164.
Pulaski County Fourth of July, Monday. The town of Pulaski will sponsor a fireworks display at Kenneth Dobson Stadium, Pulaski County High School, at 9 p.m. Admission is free.
Shawsville 17th Annual Fourth of July Celebration, Monday. Festivities include a parade at 4 p.m. Floats, antique cars, horses, clowns - all line up at the west end of town near the Sisson and Ryan offices and proceed to the high school football field. Other entertainment includes a stage show with gospel and bluegrass music, an auction and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. The celebration will be held at Shawsville High School and is sponsored by the Shawsville Ruritan Club. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Preschoolers get in free. For more information, call George Smith at 268-2203.
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