THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 20, 1996 TAG: 9609200829
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 102 lines
The Chesapeake Fall Fest has grown.
What was once a pleasant way to end the summer and greet the fall has evolved into what now could be called a mini-Jubilee.
Saturday's annual Fall Fest will not only offer Trail-A-Thon competitions, contests that pit teams of able and disabled individuals in an array of outdoor activities to highlight the city's parks, but also will include live musical entertainment, two different art shows, a car show and children's activities.
The newest addition to the festivities is the first-ever appearance of the Heritage Village, an area that will feature expert artisans engaged in skills that were commonplace among self-reliant Americans from the time this country was first settled until the industrial revolution.
The Fall Fest is being sponsored by the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department and the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Gum Tree Farms and the 17th Street Surf Shop also are lending support.
Here's a look at each of the Fall Fest activities:
Heritage Village - Organized by master weaver Holly Fox and Robin Freeman of Gum Tree Farms, the village will showcase the skills of more than 30 people. Participants will conduct hands-on demonstrations of skills, including basket making, knitting, flax and linen making, smocking, natural dyeing, candle making, blacksmithing, dulcimer/instrument making, quilting, weaving, spinning, rug hooking, sampler making and decoy carving.
``These will all be traditional skills that are still practiced throughout the country,'' Fox said. ``And even though many of the demonstrators will be wearing Colonial costume to give it that air of authenticity or atmosphere, we'll be there to prove that you don't have to wear a funny suit or hat to do these skills.''
Many of the Village's events, such as the border collie demonstrations and the live music, will take place in a 100-foot by 200-foot ring.
In addition to all of the demonstrations, Heritage Village will offer music by the acoustic Celtic music duo Thistle and Roses, who will perform on a variety of instruments including dulcimer, flute, guitar, fiddle and tin whistle.
For more information about Heritage Village, call 421-9700.
Car and Truck Show - If things from the 20th century are more your speed, the festival also will have a grand car show from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The show will feature classic muscle cars from 1964-72 and street-legal monster trucks.
Judges will bestow two people's choice and two best-in-show trophies to the winning entrants.
``This is the first time we're doing both cars and trucks,'' said show organizer Bill Fields. ``Next year we're looking into expanding it to include automobiles, trucks, boats and motorcycles.''
Saturday's car and truck show will take place rain or shine. Participants can register up to the day of the event. Fees are $5 per category, with a limit of two categories.
In addition, there will be a display of U.S. Air Force and Army vehicles, including a Humvee, a tank, weapons and artillery.
For more information, call 436-3100, 424-4238 or 382-6292.
Art shows/activities - For those enamored with the fine arts, the Fall Fest will include two art shows, one for seniors and another for teens.
The teen show will feature displays in a dozen different categories, including photography, charcoal, ink and water colors. Ribbons will be awarded to the top exhibitors.
Chesapeake's seniors will get a chance to show off their artistic talents at the Senior Citizens' Art In the Park Show.
The exhibit will feature works by the city's seniors in a variety of styles and media. Those artists participating in Saturday's show are Lillie Belangia, Betty Cranendonk, Reetha Davidson, Annis Greenlee, Dorothy Hudgins, Eunice Johnson, Gerri Kennedy, Emma Meehan, Nola Nasworthy, Norman Richardson, Don Rose, Helen Singleton, Lois Thomas, Wanda Vaughan and Mary West.
The two art shows will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition, there will be a scarecrow making contest and a Pumpkin Patch Craft Show.
Musical entertainment - If you like country, Elvis, clogging or band music, the Fall Fest could be your paradise.
With an eye on bringing in styles to match several tastes, the event will feature Virginia Beach's Troy Hedspeth, a.k.a. ``The Little Man of Country,'' a talented youngster with a big voice and an even bigger stage presence; South Norfolk's own Sterling Riggs will bring his popular ``Tribute to Elvis Show;'' the Flatland Cloggers will stomp to the tune of bluegrass sounds; and the Tidewater Community Band will enliven the event with a spirited bout of brassy pops, marches and semi-classical compositions.
Displays/exhibits - The Fall Fest will be host to a variety of instructional displays and demonstrations.
Participating will be: Nightingale ambulance helicopter, skydivers, the Chesapeake Police S.W.A.T. team, Chesapeake Humane Society, Girl Scouts, Chesapeake Arboretum, the SPSA Kangaroo, Fire House, Virginia State police Ident-A-Kid program and the Chesapeake Police Narcotics department.
Children's activities - While mom and dad enjoy the musical entertainment or crafting demonstrations, the kids will enjoy activities set up just for them.
There will be face painting, balloon sculpting, Pups on Parade, clowns, puppets, jugglers, devil-stick handlers, a sandcastle competition, challenge games, a petting zoo, pony rides and a scavenger hunt for the entire family. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
AT A GLANCE
What: Chespeake Fall Fest.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., tomorrow.
Where: Chesapeake City Park, Greenbrier Parkway.
Cost: Free. Vendors will be on hand to sell food and drinks.
Call: For more information, call 382-6411. by CNB