THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996 TAG: 9609040156
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: 122 lines
A big roller coaster and country performers Pirates of the Mississippi are among major attractions of the Isle of Wight County Fair, which begins today.
The musicians performed at the Smithfield Ham and Gourmet Food Festival in 1992, when they were a hot commodity with the hit ``Feed Jake.''
Now, the Pirates are on their farewell tour. A few days after the Isle of Wight appearance, the quartet members will go their separate ways.
The fair will bring a variety of entertainment and 24 more rides - enough, promoters believe, to entice about 30,000 visitors.
Because of rain, ``We only had about 16,000 people last year,'' said fair manager Alan Nogiec. ``We had 28,000 the first year. We expect more this year. The roller coaster, a lumberjack show and pig races will draw them in.''
The Scheer Brothers Lumberjack Show features Fred and Robert. Fred has been world champion log roller four times, and Robert is a three-time world champion speed climber. They have performed on The Nashville Network and ESPN.
Robinson's Racing Pigs were also on ESPN, The Today and Tonight shows, CBS Morning News, CBS Sunday Morning, ABC Good Morning America, ABC Weekend and more.
The premise is simple: Put the pigs at the starting gate, let them know that the fastest porkers get some Oreo cookies, and the race is on.
Another draw, if weather is fair, will be helicopter rides.
There is plenty of room for all the activities. The fairgrounds cover 43 acres.
Like any good county fair, it also has plenty of farm-related activities. There will be a poultry show, rabbit show, horse show, petting zoo and pet show. The only show-sale combination is the 4-H Lamb Show and Sale.
People with green thumbs will compete with their wares - houseplants, hanging plants, flowers and shrubs. People with culinary talents can do the same - competing with baked goods, canned goods, garden vegetables and field crops.
There will be commercial and civic/service organizations booths.
The Youth Activities Area will be busy with such familiar offerings as mule cart rides, games and relays, a pie eating contest and a watermelon seed spitting contest.
There will also be scarecrow building. Some area senior citizens will help children make life-size versions of scarecrows.
Another event is ``tobacco spitting'' for children, using bubble gum.
The fair offers a great variety of entertainment.
Aces Up, which broke up a few years ago, decided to join forces again to perform its brand of folk-country-light rock. Straight country will be offered by 14-year-old Troy Hedspeth, who seems to be everywhere. The Virginia Beach youngster patterns himself after Garth Brooks.
The country bands TROUBLE and Street Talk will also be on hand.
Jazz enthusiasts can listen to Forte. Rock enthusiasts have a choice - Brain Freeze for modern rock, Loaded Goat for classic rock.
If you are into clogging, you can double your fun with the County Line Cloggers and the Dazzlin' Image Cloggers. If square dancing is your thing, check Squares R Us.
Three area dance studios will entertain - European Dance Studio, Southside Dance Studio and Windsor School of Dance.
For those who want to do their own thing, there will be karaoke.
If you are into hold-your-breath entertainment, watch comedian/magician/juggler David Van Der Veer. He juggles - at the same time - a running chainsaw, bowling balls and eggs.
Another juggler, Matt Emerick, also tells stories. Funny stories come from Bruce Frye and Todd Yohn, who are The Rooster Roadrunner Show.
Other activities include Volunteer Recognition Day, a tribute to the area's volunteers, and traditional hooking and stained glass demonstrations. ILLUSTRATION: Cover color photo
[No cutline]
Photo
The Ferris wheel is a standard attraction at the Isle of Wight
County Fair.
Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
The Isle of Wight County Fair, which takes place today through
Sunday, has plenty of activities for the whole family.
Graphic
AT A GLANCE
What: Isle of Wight County Fair
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11
p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: County fairgrounds, U.S. Route 258, next to courthouse
complex
Admission: $3 for adults, $2 for children 12 and under, no
admission for children 3 and under. Parking free.
Call: 357-2291
ENTERTAINMENT
MAIN STAGE
Thursday
7 p.m. - Aces Up, folk
8:45 p.m. - Forte, jazz
Friday
7:30 p.m. - Brain Freeze, modern rock
9:15 p.m. - Loaded Goat, classic rock
Saturday
5 p.m. - TROUBLE, country
6:30 p.m. - The Rooster Roadrunner Show, country musical comedy
8:45 p.m. - David Van Der Veer, juggler, magician, comedian
9:15 p.m. - Pirates of the Mississippi
Sunday
1 p.m. - Smithfield Assembly of God Praise Band
2:30 p.m. - Street Talk, country
4:30 p.m. - Troy Hedspeth, country
FAMILY STAGE
Friday
6 p.m. - Karaoke contest
Saturday
1 p.m. - Southside Dance Studio
2 p.m. - David Van Der Veer
3 p.m. - Squares R Us. Square dancing
4 p.m. - European Dance Studio
5 p.m. - Matt Emerick and Deb Veenstra, music, mime and more
6 p.m. - County Line Cloggers
Sunday
Dazzlin' Image Cloggers, karate. Times to be announced. by CNB