THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 22, 1994 TAG: 9409220036
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
THERE WON'T be mules plunging off platforms into great tubs of water. And the Ferris wheel's centennial was last year. Even without a big-ticket draw, that doesn't mean the State Fair of Virginia won't have a lot going on.
How could it go on for 11 days if it didn't?
This year's fair, running today through Oct. 2, will have a decidedly Wild West look.
``The Gunfight at the Strawberry Hill Saloon'' is a live-action stunt show set around the pretend filming of a pretend movie. It promises fistfights and gunfights and lots of falls off faux buildings.
Which leads to horses. A rodeo is set for Tuesday (7 p.m.) and Wednesday (2 and 7 p.m.). Some 1,200 will be corraled for the Virginia State 4-H Horse Show. Arabians are featured Sunday and Monday, quarter horses Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. There's a draft horse pulling contest Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Virginia Horseshoers Association has stuff planned all day Wednesday, too.
And there'll be something like 90 llamas at the fair. But probably no gauchos.
Agriculture and livestock are always in at the State Fair. The American Heritage Village, a living history exhibit, is devoting 1994 to Virginia's tobacco heritage. Young MacDonald's Farm lets youngsters get up close with calves, pigs, mares and foals, lambs and duckling.
The winner in the ``Search for the Great Pumpkin'' contest will be picked at noon Saturday. The record is 436.5 pounds. The state's best wines will be chosen, too. The Richmond Rose Society puts its best on display throughout the fair. The 69th Annual Dahlia Show is today and Friday; the Richmond Bonsai Society Show is Saturday and Sunday.
On the scientific side, the ``AT&T Laser Spectacular'' will be projected on a four-story inflatable screen during the fair's 11-day run. In the Carnival of Science, folks from the Science Museum of Virginia will demonstrate the illusion of the sideshow, the physics of rides and the mathematics of games.
Finally, a full roster of musical acts is scheduled at the adjacent Classic Amphitheatre. Some are free; others require separate tickets in addition to the fair admission. They can be purchased at the fair or in advance at 671-8100 in Hampton Roads or 872-8100 on the Peninsula. Here's the schedule:
Today: Mark Chesnutt, 8 p.m., $5
Friday: Carman, 8 p.m., $3 and $5
Saturday: the Virginians, 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday: the Embers, 2 and 5 p.m.
Monday: Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians, 2 and 5 p.m.
Tuesday: The Connells, 8 p.m.
Wednesday: Jerry Clower, 2 and 8 p.m.
Next Thursday: Oak Ridge Boys, 2 and 8 p.m., $5
Sept. 30: Clint Black and the Gibson/Miller Band, 8 p.m., $5
Oct. 1: All 4-One, 8 p.m., $5
Oct. 2: Ricky Van Shelton, Hal Ketchum and The Mavericks, 6 p.m., $10 ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ALBERTO TOLOT
Clint Black performs Sept. 30 at 8 p.m.
Graphic
FAIR FACTS
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
by CNB