Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 25, 1995 TAG: 9505250032
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: STACY JONES/STAFF WRITER COMPLETE SCHEDULE INSIDE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Everything from vaudeville acts to Nigerian dwarf goats to a flute choir will be available to the curious.
Happenings range from the quirky to the trendy to the just plain interesting, and should satisfy a number of age or personality groups.
The 11-day festival commences tonights with its four-band, black-tie fund-raiser, ``Black Tie, Top Hat & Tails: A Magical Evening'' at the Jefferson Center, then it returns to its homey roots, becoming more accessible and arguably more exciting.
Those classified as teen-agers now have an area to call their own, designated ``Just for Teens.'' Activities will include make-up makeovers, temporary tattoos, karaoke, and a T-shirt design contest open only to teens. An area for rollerblading will also be available on June 3. Although the teens probably will still complain of having nothing to do, this at least gives them the chance to look bored as a group while secretly having fun.
If there were a ``Nutty Professor'' award, first place surely would go to environmental engineer John Schofield of Lexington for his creation - an Audiokinetic sculpture, otherwise known as The Ball Machine. The contraption employs an assortment of mechanisms to send balls around interconnected metal tracks. The hypnotic 8-foot device will be displayed, along with its owner, in the Children's Area on June 3 and 4.
Lovers of a good yarn can get their fix at the Storytelling Stage on Saturday. Readings will be held throughout the day on the Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield patio. Storytellers will weave a variety of spontaneous, often humorous tales.
Other first-time features include the ReMax Hot Air Balloon, which will be located at the Roanoke River on Saturday; the first annual Antique Car Show on June 3 at Elmwood Park; and the Senior Citizens Rest Area, located near the Amphitheatre. It will be open on June 3 and 4.
On Memorial Day (Monday), radio station WJJS will host a ``Star Party'' at the Elmwood Park Amphitheatre. Nuttin Nyce, Fun Factory and Vybe are a few of the artists that will perform what some refer to as urban dance music.
The 12th Annual NationsBank Festival Craft Show runs Memorial Day weekend. Heralded by the festival as one of the best outdoor craft shows in the country, this juried event boasts more than 130 craftpersons.
The luminary of the festival is, of course, the annual Sidewalk Art Show, from which the rest of the festival is an outgrowth. Presented June 3 and 4 by the Docent Guild of the Art Museum of Western Virginia the show sets up in front of the Roanoke Public Library at 706 S. Jefferson St.
For some, music has been crowned the second runner-up to the art, but for sheer variety it could arguably be first.
Country Night at Victory Stadium opens the musical gates on Friday with the Kentucky Headhunters. The Grand Finale on June 4 has Domino, offering sounds of the '50s, '60s and '70s.
A stroll down memory lane can be had on Saturday as 1964: A Tribute pays homage to the Beatles at the Elmwood Park Amphitheatre. The vibes turn blue on Sunday when Little Chicago takes the stage. On June 3, St. John's Episcopal Church presents ``The Majesty of Brass and Organ."
Additional sounds can be found throughout the festival's 11-day run at four different stages.
Although not at the center of activities, six sporting events will take place to accommodate athletes and the athletic-at-heart.
The Moore's/Q99 Festival River Race at Smith Park happens Saturday as non-motorized crafts hit the water in a multitude of shapes, sizes and colors. European football fans can enjoy the all-day Crestar Festival Soccer Tournaments on Saturday and Sunday at the River's Edge Sports Complex and at various other parks. Also on Saturday and Sunday, the Young Life Volleyball Tournament sets up at Wasena Park.
A bit farther away, at the Moyer Field Sports Complex in Salem, is the main site of Moore's Third Annual Softball Tournament (USSSA-sanctioned). Play dates are June 2, 3 and 4.
More intensive sports recreation includes the First Union Festival Classic 5K and 10K Run on June 3; ROC HillClimb, a time-trial bike race at Mill Mountain is Sunday. On Monday, the Saturn Festival Cup Criterium bike race will sprint through downtown Roanoke.
Children have always been a special focus of Festival in the Park, and this year is no exception. New hands-on enterprises like Bag-A-Face and Paper Dyeing will join old standbys like Creative Hats, Face Painting and Pasta Art. Back by popular demand is the Firemen's Foam from Sweden at the Roanoke River on Saturday. Kids are encouraged to bring their swimsuits for this one.
Rounding out the children's highlights are the Backyard Circus, and the Kaleidoscope Theatre, which has everything from Bob Brown's Puppets to magicians and jugglers to storytellers. On Sunday, the annual Children's Parade will line Jefferson Street. The theme this year is ``Cartoons & Comics,'' featuring Babar the Elephant, Betty Boop and the Lollipop Dragon, to name a few. One hundred kids are already registered.
Another familiar staple of past festivals, Lunch in the Park returns to the Amphitheatre each weekday between the two festival weekends. The Lunch on Tuesday has been designated Senior Citizen's Day. Disadvantaged preschoolers are the focus of the lunch on May 31, as are physically challenged children on June 1. Complimentary lunches will be provided for these two groups.
Memorabilia hunters can head for the Festival Store where T-shirts, caps and vintage festival merchandise will be available at discounted prices.
Food hounds should circle Vendor Alley on their festival maps. This is where caloric sustenance can be found in the form of barbecue, funnel cakes, ice cream and exotic delicacies. Free food samples can be found at the Kroger Product and Service Exhibit Area on Memorial Day weekend at Elmwood Park.
Almost all festival activities are free of charge. However, the two Friday night concerts at Victory Stadium require a festival button for admission. Buttons can be purchased in advance for $3 at numerous button outlets. If purchased at the Stadium on concert nights, the cost increases to $6.
The buttons do carry some perks. They can gain wearers free entrance to the Roanoke Comedy Club on selected dates, and to the Science Museum to view "The Insect World - A Photographic Exhibit" through June 15.
Wearing a button could also result in prizes spanning the spectrum from a cellular phone to a stay at the Hotel Roanoke. Each button will be numbered, and drawings will be held daily. Plus, if your number is drawn, the daily winner is then eligible for the grand prize - two round-trip airline tickets to anywhere in the continental United States.
Free parking will be available downtown in the Williamson Road and Church Avenue parking garages. Handicap parking will be available on the south side of Franklin Road between Jefferson Street and Williamson Road, except during the Children's Parade on Sunday and the Antique Car Show on June 3. On those days, handicap parking will be at the IBM parking lot at Williamson Road and Franklin Road. Enter on Williamson Road. Handicap parking is also available at the east gate of Victory Stadium.
Free parking is in effect during festival hours.
NOTE: Two pages of schedules follow - please see microfilm for text.
by CNB