
DATE: Sunday, June 29, 1997                 TAG: 9706270295

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  103 lines

SOUTH NORFOLK 4TH OF JULY BIGGER, BETTER AND MORE OLD FASHIONED

For the Fourth of July, South Norfolk is inviting all of Chesapeake and South Hampton Roads to an old fashioned-family Fourth outing.

The event will feature a grand parade through South Norfolk and a picnic at Lakeside Park, which will include musical entertainment, children's activities, food vendors, games, crafts exhibits and children's characters.

The organizing South Norfolk Civic League and co-sponsoring Chesapeake Sheriff's Office and Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department are promising a fun, low-keyed event devoid of alcohol, jostling crowds and noisy fireworks.

``This is still one of those good ol' traditional old-fashioned Fourth of July celebrations full of flag waving and patriotism and as far as I'm concerned that never goes out of style,'' said Jeff Rowland, chairman of this year's South Norfolk Fourth of July event. ``We've been able to maintain a family atmosphere all these years. We've kept it a non-alcohol event, even to the extent to refusing some corporate sponsorship a few years ago. We know that people throughout Chesapeake like that kind of atmosphere.''

Rowland said organizers are especially excited about a recent addition to its third-annual parade, which begins at 11 a.m.

``For the first time since the parade's rebirth a few years ago we have a world-class marching band to participate in the parade,'' Rowland said. ``We're excited to welcome the Norfolk State University Alumni Marching Band. They have about 80 members and they always put on a great performance no matter where they march. We're thrilled to have a marching band of this caliber.''

Rowland said the NSU Alumni Marching Band will be sponsored by the parade's grand marshall, Del. Lionel Spruill. Another parade crowd pleaser, the Highlanders bagpipe marching band, will be sponsored by GOP State Attorney General candidate and State Sen. Mark Earley.

The parade, which should last about an hour, will begin at 11 a.m. at the Oscar Smith Middle School at Rodgers Street. It will march north along Chesapeake Drive, then onto Bainbridge Boulevard and break up on Holly Street.

Besides the NSU band and the Highlanders, the parade will feature horses, antique cars and floats by the Norfolk-based Elks' Lodge No. 38. Among the floats will be a display of U.S. armed forces uniforms and retired Air Force personnel exhibiting scale models of historical airplanes.

``We're getting participants from other cities besides Chesapeake,'' Rowland said. ``The parade is starting to get a regional flavor.''

After the parade, the festivities will begin at Lakeside Park with 12:15 p.m. opening ceremonies. Rowland said the ceremonies will honor all of the United States' armed forces.

That will be followed by another Fourth of July picnic highlight.

``We have the Atlantic Fleet Show Band coming to perform,'' Rowland said. ``That's a real coup for us. They are a world-class, world-traveled performing band and they should please everybody.''

And if the Atlantic Fleet Band doesn't cut it, Rowland said the day's roster of musical entertainment should please most musical tastes. The main stage and family stage rosters will include gospel, pop, country, rock and top-40 music.

For the kiddies, there'll be a petting zoo, paddleboat rides, pony rides, puppet shows and appearances by McDonald-Land characters along with Sparky the Fire Dog, McGruff and the Manhattan Bagle. Lovers of old-fashioned hayrides will enjoy it when Frankie Everton brings along his mules Jack and Pearl for trips around the park.

Lovers of country crafts and other handmade items will want to peruse the 25 to 30 different artisans.

If you're hungry, you can bring your own picnic repast or purchase hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, snow cones, snacks, soft drinks and other edibles from the vendors.

Any money raised at this year's event by the South Norfolk Civic League will be used to help the community, Rowland said.

``It'll all go back to the community and we're real proud of that,'' he said. ``We use the money raised for scholarships and Christmas food baskets for the needy. With that in mind, we hope families will come out and enjoy a nice, safe Fourth of July. We're proud of this event.'' MEMO: The South Norfolk Old Fashioned Fourth of July takes place from

noon until 6 p.m., Friday at Lakeside Park, Bainbridge Boulevard and

Byrd Avenue. The event will be preceded by a parade beginning at 11 a.m.

at the Oscar Smith Middle School, 2500 Rodgers St. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

THE SCHEDULE

Here is a roster of the scheduled entertainment for this year's

South Norfolk Old Fashioned Fourth of July at Lakeside Park:

MAIN STAGE 12:15 p.m. - Opening ceremonies

12:30 p.m. - Atlantic Fleet Show Band

1:30 p.m. - Erin Suzanne and Cullen Roberts (country)

1:50 p.m. - Doug Satchell (pop)

2 p.m. - Billy Williams (pop)

2:15 p.m. - L.G. Freeman (country)