THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 15, 1995 TAG: 9509130119
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
After the opening day of school, the next memorable fall event in Chesapeake has to be the annual Chesapeake Fall Fest.
This yearly celebration of fall, the outdoors and fun takes placefrom 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Chesapeake City Park.
The free event is a joint effort of the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Great Bridge Jaycees and the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department.
Organizers say the outdoor fete definitely will have something for everyone: competitors will enjoy the Trail-A-Thon activities; thrashers will think the newly organized skate competition is cool; art lovers will savor the many arts and crafts on display; music fans will groove to the sounds of a community band and Elvis; dance fans will love the choice of Polynesian, clogging or ethnic dance styles; and children and families will enjoy the jump rope, K-9 demonstrations, silly pooches and other fun activities.
The festival was born of two established events combining to form one grand outing. Originally, there was the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board's Trail-A-Thon competitions to highlight the city's many outdoor facilities, trails and parks, and the Great Bridge Jaycees' annual Arts In Park showcase.
Soon organizers for both events saw the benefits of joining forces.
``We thought this presented us a good opportunity to get together to come up with a bigger and better event,'' said Bobby Clifton, recreation coordinator for Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department. ``Needless to say, it worked out great.''
Now planners attempt to add new events each year.
Last year, they added the ``Pups On Parade'' competition, and it proved to be such a hit with the crowd that it's coming back.
``Pups On Parade'' was a howlingly successful event, said Kenny Stuart of the Parks and Recreation Department. Pet owners entered their pooches in categories such as ``most unusual dog,'' ``best costume or outfit,'' ``best in show'' or ``best pet trick.'' There was even a stuffed-animal category.
``Everybody loved this one last year,'' Stuart said. ``It's something right out of David Letterman.''
Anyone wishing to enter a dog or stuffed pooch in the Saturday event can register on-site right before the competition for $2 per dog. All entrants must be in good health, well-groomed, have up-to-date shots and be on a leash.
The new activity for this year's festival is the ``Stone Cold Groove'' skate contest, sponsored by the 17th Street Surf Shop at the park's skateboard ramp.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. There will be street and mini-ramp contests. Chesapeake thrashers will get a chance to show their stuff and win trophies and gift certificates. All contestants must wear helmets, elbow pads and knee pads, and those under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
This year's musical entertainment will feature the brassy sounds of the Tidewater Community Band and the ever popular rock 'n' roll sounds of South Norfolk's own Sterling Riggs.
Riggs, who won several categories in the recent ``All Things Elvis'' competition held at Virginia Beach, will bring his special ``Tribute to Elvis Show'' to the Chesapeake City Park stage.
Other activities and displays will include:
Arts and Crafts - Sponsored by the Great Bridge Jaycees, this show will feature scores of artisans from Hampton Roads and beyond. The displays will feature an emphasis on crafts, including country crafts, quilts, drawings, toys, homemade furniture, stained glass, woodworking and Christmas ornaments.
Trail-A-Thon - Teams made up of senior citizens, adults, youths and disabled contestants will be led by Chesapeake city councilmen, who will act as honorary team captains. The teams will compete in various contests, including horseback riding, walking, obstacle course and packing a backpack.
Entertainment - Dance fans will enjoy the Flatland Cloggers, the Kuruzi Dance Troupe and the Polynesian Dance Group from the Herma N. Serna School of Music & Dance. There will also be K-9 dog and double-Dutch jump rope demonstrations.
Children's events - While mom and dad are engaged elsewhere, the children will have fun with face painting, pasta art by the Olive Garden restaurant, fish art, balloon figures, parachute games and a scavenger hunt. In addition, the kids will be entertained by ``Puppets & Clowns,'' a combination puppet show and clown act written and produced by a local talent, Karen Marshall. Appearances by the Tides' mascot Rip Tide along with Woodsy Owl and Katie the Kangaroo should also keep your young ones smiling.
Displays/exhibits - The Fall Fest will feature an array of exhibits from various civic and charitable groups, government agencies, city departments and others, including the American Heart Association, Chesapeake Public Schools and the Virginia Department of Forestry. by CNB