Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 30, 1995 TAG: 9506300033
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
In years past, the festivities have been perfect examples of small-town Americana that would have made Norman Rockwell proud, and organizers this year promise more of the same. The celebrations will feature parades, food, music, a raft race and, of course, fireworks, all in honor of the nation's 219th birthday.
It remains to be seen, however, if Mother Nature will provide clear skies.
The valley's Independence Day celebrations include:
Blacksburg: The town's celebration, perhaps the biggest in the New River Valley, will begin with a parade at 2 p.m. downtown. Music is scheduled from 3 to 8 p.m. on the lawn of Henderson Hall on the Virginia Tech campus. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. at Tech's Intramural Field on Southgate Drive. Pets, alcohol, and personal fireworks are prohibited.
Radford: The city's festivities begin at 10 a.m. in Bisset Park with vendors, arts and crafts, educational booths, children's events and food. Music will run all afternoon and evening, including the performance of "I Love America," a song written by Lloyd Zurbrigg, a former Radford University professor, especially for the celebration. Singing the song will be Tara Yates, accompanied by Deone Shaffer. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.
Also on tap is the fifth annual Radford River Raft Race, which will feature a canoe and kayak division this year. Raft judging under Memorial Bridge begins at 11 a.m., the canoe race starts at 11:30 a.m. at the public boat launch below Claytor Lake Dam. The Kayak race starts at noon at the boat launch, and the raft race begins at 1 p.m. below Memorial Bridge.
Pulaski: The county's Independence Day parade begins at 10 a.m. in downtown Pulaski with the Golden Cougar Marching Band leading veterans and military units to the courthouse for the dedication of the the Pulaski County War Memorial.
Featured speaker at the dedication will be Ben Tate, a retired Navy Captain and Pulaski native who served in the Pacific during World War II. Members of the Board of Supervisors will light a flame in memory of the county's veterans, and board Chairman Jerry White will give a dedication speech.
After the dedication, food and entertainment are scheduled in Jackson Park with fireworks set for sunset at Loving Field.
Shawsville: The Ruritan Club, for the 18th consecutive year, will sponsor fireworks. Also on tap will be music, all at Shawsville High School beginning at 7 p.m.
During the event, members of the Ruritan Club will accept donations for 1995 Shawsville High School graduate Christopher Michael Keen, who needs $2,000 to help pay for a service dog who will aid him with his muscular dystrophy. Keen has had the disease since birth and has been confined to a wheelchair since he was 12. The dog, a black labrador retriever, will help with such things as answering the telephone, opening doors and picking up dropped objects.
Narrows: The Giles County town will offer a different kind of Independence Day celebration. The county's Arts and Crafts Guild will sponsor its 17th annual show and sale, and the Kiwanis Club will have its Water Carnival in the Narrows Town Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Floyd: Events will be at Floyd County High School beginning at noon. Food, exhibits, crafts, bingo and pony rides will be available. A mountain music competition will begin at 3 p.m., and fireworks will light the sky in the evening. Admission is 50 cents.
Floyd County: There also will be a celebration at Doe Run Lodge on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 189. There will be food, bluegrass, country and rock music on the lawn from noon to 5 p.m. and fireworks at sundown. Admission is free.
by CNB