THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 9, 1994 TAG: 9409070130
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
BOBBY CLIFTON, recreation coordinator for Chesapeake's Department of Parks and Recreation is pulling a ``Justin Wilson'' with his pronouncement on this year's Chesapeake Fall Fest.
Just as public television's famed Cajun cook ``guarantees'' his dishes to taste good, Clifton ``guarantees'' this free festival will appeal to everyone.
He's not making empty promises, either.
The event is a joint effort by the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department, the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Great Bridge Jaycees. It will feature Trail-A-Thon competitions, an arts and crafts show, a scarecrow makin' contest, a car show, a puppy show, live musical entertainment, children's activities, cooking demonstrations and various community displays and exhibits.
``We have so much to offer with this event,'' Clifton said. ``No one will be bored; I guarantee that.''
A few years ago the fest was actually two competing events: the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Advisory Board's Trail-A-Thon, a series of fun competitions to show off and promote the city's many trails, open spaces and parks, and the Great Bridge Jaycees annual Arts and Crafts Show and Volleyball Tournament. Soon organizers for both events saw the benefits of merging.
``We thought this presented us a good opportunity to get together to come up with a bigger and better event,'' Clifton said. ``It proved to be a very successful move. It worked out great.''
Now something is added to the festival every year. New this year are a ``Pups On Parade'' pooch contest and a scarecrow-makin' contest for families.
Those events have been added to the Trail-A-Thon competitions, the arts show, the ever-expanding entertainment lineup, the food and recipe competitions and other activities.
``We feel this is going to grow into a major event,'' Clifton said. ``It offers something for everybody and for all ages in the family. We're working to make this one of the biggest family events around. I guarantee it.''
Here is a run-down of the Chesapeake Fall Fest's main activities:
Scarecrow Makin' Contest - Open to families or individuals. Bring the finished scarecrow to the fest for display at noon and judging at 3 p.m. Scarecrows must be at least four feet high, consist of hay and homemade materials and be designed and created by family members only. More information is available by calling 436-8464.
Pups On Parade - If you think you've got the cutest li'l doggie in Chesapeake, here's your chance to prove it. Categories include ``most unusual dog,'' ``best costume or outfit,'' ``best in show,'' ``best pet trick,'' ``best stuffed animal dog,'' ``best behaved'' and an ``owner-dog look-a-like contest.'' Registration fee is $2 per pooch. Dogs must be in good health, well-groomed and have up-to-date shots and be on a leash. Check your canine contestant in no later that 12:45 p.m. More information is available by calling 436-8466.
Trail-A-Thon - Teams made up of seniors, adults, youth and disabled contestants will be led by Chesapeake City Council people. They will compete in walking, horseback obstacle, therapeutic obstacle and youth obstacle courses to demonstrate recreational benefits of trails
Entertainment - The bill will include an Elvis impersonator, country and pop songs, Hawaiian dancing, a little country rock by local bands and talented Chesapeake teens promoting drug-free lives. In addition, there will be face painting, games, crafts, sports competitions and a petting zoo for children and the appearance of Smokey the Bear, Woodsy Owl, Rip-Tide (the Norfolk Tides' mascot), Katy Kangaroo and others.
Cooking and tasting - Chesapeake Volunteers in Youth Services will present cooking demonstrations, food samplings from their ``Flavor of Chesapeake'' cook book and local dignitaries competing in a cook-off with an apple theme. ``You can go there and make a meal out of the samples,'' Clifton said. ``The food and recipes are out of this world.''
Arts and Crafts Show - One of the original Fall Fest events, this activity is organized by the Great Bridge Jaycees and will feature scores of artisans from all over Virginia and neighboring states. The emphasis is on crafts, but each year organizers add more and more art exhibits. Look for country crafts, homemade toys and furniture, original Christmas ornaments, stained glass, woodworking, needlepoint, quilts and many others.
Car Show - If you're fan of anything on wheels, this should be a must see. The show has been organized by the Car Club Council of Hampton Roads and will feature all manner of wheeled vehicles including antique cars, custom cars, street rods, motorcycles and trucks. Admission to this event is a donation of $1 or a canned good. Proceeds will go to local foodbanks. There is a $5 registration fee if you want to show off your car. More information is available by calling 436-8466.
Other - The Fall Fest will also include displays by the American Heart Association, Chesapeake Public Schools' Center for Science and Technology, Virginia Department of Forestry, a landing by the Nightingale ambulance helicopter, fish painting, a demonstration by the K-9 Corps and a slick stunts by the Wave Riding Vehicles skateboard team at the new skateboard park. by CNB