A weekend of fun is just around the corner as the town of Clarksville hosts its 33rd annual Lakefest held on Thursday, July 15 through Sunday, July 28.
With free tethered hot air balloon rides for children, helicopter rides and a wide selection of food and games, Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Linda Williams said she is anticipating this year’s event to be a memorable experience.
“I hope this year’s Lakefest is going to be another grand show,” Williams said. “It was chosen as one of the top 20 events in the southeast, by the Southeast Tourism Society and we hope this coming weekend will meet everyone’s expectations and more and that everyone has a fun and safe time.”
Williams said last year’s summer extravaganza drew approximately 100,000 people to the area over the three day period. Nearly 200 vendors will offer typical festival foods along with ethnic meal choices and arts and crafts displays. She added for the first time ever, a healthy food vendor will serve nutritious smoothies and snacks.
“We have a number of vendors attending Lakefest for the first time this year,” Williams said. “We have people coming from Florida, Ohio, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Maryland, Georgia and Tennessee and even Canada.”
Water ink, acrylic and oil paintings, face painters, pottery, leather products, birdhouses and garden accessories, carvers and sculptors, jewelry made from bicycle spokes, live bonsai trees, items to be personalized on the spot, blown glass jewelry, photography, clothing, home accessories and even pet attire are just some of the many items to purchase or admire from the array of vendors that will be in place on Virginia Avenue on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Williams said the street will be closed to traffic from 4 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Williams added beginning on Wednesday morning; sand sculpture artist Alan Matsumoto along with friends will start making a larger than life sand sculpture for the 33rd annual Lakefest event. She said Matsumoto served as a former structural engineer for 19 years in Vancouver, Canada and will sculptor his creation from the ground up. During the annual festivities she said the artist may give helpful hints as he constructs the final results of his artwork.
“On Thursday, at 7 p.m. we will have our opening ceremony where we will salute our 25 or more sponsors,” she said.” We will bring them up on stage and present them with a Lakefest medallion. We couldn’t do an event such as this without our sponsors. This is a rather costly endeavor because we don’t charge any admission. On Friday night at 7:30 p.m. until 10 p.m., Upper Level Band, from the Virginia area will perform popular hits. And on
Saturday The Konnection Band will perform music from the top 40 chart, rock and roll, country, R&B and oldies. They performed at Lakefest last year and due to receiving great reviews we decided to bring them back. After their performance on Saturday, the fireworks show will immediately follow on the lake.”
On Thursday, beginning at 6 p.m. Williams said free tethered hot air balloon rides will be available for children 12 years of age and younger. Those who wish to experience the adventure should station themselves at the Lake Country Business Park located on Noblin Farm Road. She also mentioned a raffle will be held at the Chamber booth of Friday for a lucky winner to receive an official Lakefest t-shirt.
“The 16th annual antique auto show seems to be growing in leaps and bounds,” Williams said. “We added an additional lot for those who register their vehicles so more can participate in the competition on Saturday. They will be on display at Century 21 On the Lake.”
Trophies will be awarded in the categories of hard luck story, oldest vehicle, longest distance traveled and diamond in the rough. There will be two prizes of $50 each among those who have registered their vehicle. In order to participate in the car show, vehicles must be registered by completing a registration form available at Century 21 on the Lake or at the Chamber office, and submit a $10 fee prior to the festival or $20 the day of the show.
As an extra boost to the endless entertainment possibilities in Clarksville for Lakefest weekend, the Chamber has contracted with Fun Time Amusements of Danville to provide a total of nine activities, rides and games for all ages to enjoy.
The activities will be located at the main stage area adjacent to Third Street (access at the corner of Third and Virginia Avenue) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
As a new incentive to attend this year’s Lakefest festivities, the extravaganza is offering newly improved shuttle services. Williams said the Chamber has contracted with a professional shuttle service from the Raleigh, N.C. area to improve service and reduce traffic in the downtown Clarksville area. Williams said the shuttle parking area will be located at the Lake Country Business Park near the Clarksville Elementary School on Noblin Farm Road. She said the shuttles will continuously run from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and will be air conditioned with plenty of room to accommodate packages and baby strollers. A $5 parking fee will be charged at the shuttle parking lot to help offset the cost of the additional service.
Williams noted that although riding the shuttle is not mandatory for attending the event, she encourages people to ride. She added Virginia Avenue will be closed to traffic from Ninth Street to Fourth Street from 4 a.m. until 6 p.m. on July 17 and from Fourth Street to the other side of the U.S. 58 Business Bridge from 4 a.m. until midnight on July 17.
For more information, contact the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce at 434-374-2436.
LakeFest Events
Thurs., July 15
9 am-until (Pocket Park, corner of 4th & Virginia Avenue) Sand Sculptures begin their creations
6 pm-until (Lake Country Business Park, Noblin Farm Road) Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides for children 12 & younger, free. (Hot Dogs, hamburgers & drinks available; also games for the children)
Fri., July 16
9 am-until (Pocket Park, corner of 4th & Virginia Avenue) Sand Sculptures continue sculpting
6:30 pm (Main Stage, entrance at 3rd St. & Virginia Avenue) Food Vendors, Children’s Rides & Games,
Lakefest t-shirts & Raffle Drawings at Chamber Booth
7 p.m. Welcoming Ceremonies for All Attendees & Salute To Our Sponsors
7:30-10 p.m. Live Band on Stage--“The Upper Level Band”
Sat., July 17
6 am Sunrise (Sandy Fork Hunt Club) Hot Air Balloon Show
ALL DAY 9 am-5 pm (Downtown Clarksville
Juried Arts & Crafts Show & Sale (along Virginia Avenue, 2nd-7th Streets!!!)
Sand Sculptures Is Completed
20+ Food Vendors
Children’s Rides & Games
Antique Auto Show
Multiple exhibits--Mecklenburg County Civic Organizations
Lakefest T-shirts Chamber Booth
Helicopter Rides (Lawn area Food Lion)
9 am-3 pm (corner of 4th & Virginia Avenue)
Blood Pressure Screenings
9 am-until (6th Street & Virginia Avenue)
RESCUE SQUAD--Paramedics will be available through out the day for those with heat-related illness, etc.
6 pm (Main Stage, Wachovia Parking Area)
Food Vendors
Children’s Rides & Games
Lakefest T-shirts & Raffle Drawing at Chamber Booth
6 pm (Lake Country Business Park & Sandy Fork Hunt Club)
Hot Air Balloon Show
7 pm (Main Stage, entrance at 3rd St. & Virginia Avenue)
Live on Stage--“The Konnection Band”
9:30 pm (Hwy 58 Business Bridge Causeway over Buggs Island Lake)
Gathering of the boats & THE FIREWORKS!
Sun., July 18
6 am Sunrise (Sandy Fork Hunt Club) Hot Air Balloon Show
