Wythe Notes » chatauqua festival

who doesn’t love a parade

Ron Dees — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:39:41 +0000

Chatauqua week kicked off yesterday with a home grown parade down Main Street. It’s hard to say who enjoyed it the most, the folks in the parade, or the folks lining the streets to watch. I got to march with the group representing the Farmers Market, and I had a blast.

This year’s parade was smaller than previous years, but you couldn’t tell from all the happy faces. Here’s what I saw:

As far as the parade participants, I’ll let you decide who had the coolest costumes:

the Farmers Market Cow gets my vote

re-enactors of the Recent Unpleasantness

Chatauqua runs all week. Click the link on my blog roll to access the Festival website to check on daily events. This is truly a unique celebration. It’s all about friends and neighbors coming together to enjoy each other and the beautiful place we live.

P.S. Happy Father’s Day!

last evening was fun….

Ron Dees — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:00:48 +0000

Memo to Mother Nature: Hey, knock it off, I’m on your side.

Anne and I spent yesterday afternoon toodling around and arrived home just in time for the fireworks. A couple of weeks ago, I posted a picture of the giant willow tree down by the Creek that was split in half by lightning. That tree is approximately 200 feet from the front porch. Last evening lightning struck again. This time it was a little closer; like a 180 feet closer.

We were standing on the front porch admiring the electrical storm and the force of the deluge, when CRACK!, a bolt of lightning hit 20 feet away. After 42 years, Anne still surprises me. I never knew she could levitate. The only damage appears to be to our phone, which was blown out by an electrical surge, and a couple of pairs of soiled knickers. Fortunately, the computer remained intact.

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Chautauqua Festival starts soon. I’m starting to get a lot of hits looking for information, so as a public service, I’m posting a temporary blog roll link to the Festival website.

chautauqua week in wytheville

Ron Dees — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:12:13 +0000

The Chautauqua Festival, a week long celebration of life in the Blue Ridge, is underway in Wytheville. Sponsored by the Wythe Arts Council, the main festival is taking place in Elizabeth Brown Memorial Park off 4th Street in downtown Wytheville. Chock full of fun, food, and entertainment for the whole family, the festival began June 16 and runs thru this Saturday, June 26.

Each day’s events vary. So far there has been a chili cookoff, a flower show, booths for gardeners, classes for both adults and kids, and, one I found particularly useful, an outreach health program for military veterans.

Much of the daytime program Tuesday was devoted to activities for and by the Mt. Rogers Community Services Board, our local mental health and rehabilitation facility. The band “Common Ground” led the festivities which also included a crafts table featuring work by community members.

Some of the activities for the kids have been particularly fun and will continue throughout the week. When you go, look for Brenda Boone, the clown princess. Her motto: Humor, Don’t Leave Home Without It. Today’s activities include a magic show and storytelling.

Compared to most festivals I’ve been to, the food here is surprisingly good. Many of the vendors are local, and some of our local restaurants are participating. Look for Rose Gonzalez and her Tex-Mex booth. At 3 for $5, her tacos are the best value there.

Rose Gonzalez, the Taco Queen

Night time entertainment so far has included nationally known country rockers, “The Kentucky Headhunters,” and Michael Angelo Batio, one of the 100 best metal guitarists of all time. Tonight (Wed.), the musical program begins at 5:30pm and features 4 bluegrass bands. Hope to see you there!