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

DATE: FRIDAY, August 26, 1994                   TAG: 9409010010
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THE TIPOFF

LAST HURRAH: Say goodbye to the hard concrete "cheap seats" at Salem's Municipal Field - at least as a spot for watching the Bucs, that crazy parrot, the sunset over 12 O'Clock Knob and this year's on-field contest, "The Dizzy Bat Race," wherein kids compete to see who can spin around propelling bats from their noses with the least amount of dizziness.

Municipal Field's Farewell Weekend starts tonight at 7, continues Saturday night at 7 and ends Sunday with the Bucs' final Municipal Field game at 6 p.m. Gates open at 5 Sunday for the Coors Light/WROV-FM Rock 'n' Roll Farewell Party, which will resume with a post-game party as well. Music, interviews with former and current Bucs and commentary on the history of Municipal Field will close out the 67th and final season of professional baseball at Municipal Field.

Say goodbye to the concrete bleachers, as Salem makes way for its new $5 million stadium, where the Bucs will play next year, featuring 6,000 chairs - all of them armed and backed. Best news yet: The new stadium promises an even better view of the mountains at sunset.

Oh yeah, this weekend's opposing team is the Lynchburg Red Sox.

Call 389-3333 for more information.

STADIUM BLANKETS AT THE BEACH: Saturday's 13th Annual Roanoke Beach Party is moving to Victory Stadium this year to accommodate larger crowds.

Featuring Key West, The Fabulous Kays and The Tams, the party will feature tons of sand, a seashell hunt for kids, volleyball, a V Magazine Fashion Show, Beach Blanket Bingo and more.

Admission to the daytime party is $2 (kids under 12 get in free). Hours are 2 to 7 p.m.

Bring your blanket or lawn chair, beach umbrella, swimsuit, towels or toys. No coolers or pets allowed.

Call 981-2889 for more information.

ENCORE: Valleypointe After Hours will close out its season with one last concert Thursday with Bill Deal, Ammon Tharp and The Original Rhondels.

Gates open at 5:15 p.m., with the concert from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $3 for adults, children under 12 free.

Proceeds benefit the Easter Seal Society of Virginia Inc.

WHERE "DRINK" IS SPELLED "DRYNKE": The sixth annual New River Valley Herb Festival begins at 9 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday at the Plant Plant, 1367 Barringer Road, Christiansburg.

Look for medieval jousting - courtesy of the Society for Creative Anachronism - folk music, storytelling and workshops on herbs, cooking and gardening. Fancy herbal-type foods will be for sale, as will crafts, plants and interesting gift items.

Admission is $5 for adults, $1.50 for children 2-12.

Call 382-2653.

by CNB