THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 5, 1994 TAG: 9408030117
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 2P EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KRYS STEFANSKY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
This weekend, follow the country roads south to an annual shady spectacle of arts and crafts, entertainment and tasty treats.
It's time for the 19th Virginia Beach Folk Arts Festival in Princess Anne Park. On Saturday and Sunday the popular festival will feature about 75 crafters and artists from up and down the East Coast. It's from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the corner of Princess Anne and Landstown roads.
Handcraft enthusiasts will find a variety of objects, large and small, to tempt the pocketbook. In addition to basketry, dried floral arrangements and stoneware, there will be unusual selections such as handcrafted boomerangs, driftwood decorations and wooden clocks.
As usual, artists and crafters will be judged. But this year, the competition will be more profitable than in the past.
``It's the first time for cash awards this year; we're giving out $500 total. We're going to start out small and work our way up,'' said Marti Lipscomb, festival coordinator and recreation supervisor with the the Department of Parks and Recreation. In previous years participants in the show and sale received ribbons and engraved porcelain bowls.
Another addition to the weekend - Lipscomb hopes this will draw a good crowd - is the entertainment. Two stages will feature singers, dancers, cloggers and puppeteers throughout both days. The big attractions, Lipscomb said, are sure to be a couple of favorites from the local nightclub circuit.
``One of the big things we're looking at this year is Robbin Thompson and Lewis McGehee. We're hoping that draws them in on Saturday,'' she said. McGehee performs Saturday at 3 p.m. The following afternoon features a much younger local star.
``Troy Hedspeth is going to be performing with Shades of Country on Sunday. He's 12 years old and does a lot of Garth Brooks. He played for us for Family Fun Days a couple of weeks ago. He was cute, so cute and was signing so many autographs we couldn't get him off stage,'' Lipscomb recalled.
Refreshments will feature mouthwatering choices - basic snacks to palate-pleasing entrees. Food vendors will cook up everything from hot dogs to Cajun chicken pitas, apple dumplings to baklava.
The weekend also features several exhibits and visual displays. Old farm equipment and old musical instruments will be on view. The Free Companions Medievalist Society will be in costume, lending atmosphere and entertainment to the event. Wildlife Rescue and Response will also attend.
Admission and parking are free. In case of rain, the festival will be moved to the new Princess Anne Recreation Center near the intersection of General Booth Boulevard and Ferrell Parkway. Call 471-5884. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Lewis McGehee a featured performer at the 19th Virginia Beach Folk
Arts Festival, will play on the A stage at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The Pungo Ridge Band, left to right, Dave Barbini, Joe Gayle, John
Boyer and Clay Warwick, will perform on the A stage at 4 p.m.
Sunday.
by CNB