12th Annual Claytor Lake Festival

Roanoke, VA - June 8, 2009
The Claytor Lake Festival is scheduled to take place this Saturday, June 13, 2009, just in time to kick off summertime fun. The event benefits art education programs of the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley. Start the day off at 7am with the Everett Lee Yearout Jr. Adult/Youth Fishing Tournament. If you are not a fisherman or not interested in being a spectator, take part in the one-mile fun run that starts at 8:30am. The fun run is a family and kid-friendly event as well as a great way to enjoy the park and spend quality time with your friends and family.
Once the fun run completes, there will be a competitive 5K run/walk, which starts at 9am. For those who registered by June 6th, they only paid $15 to take place in the race. If you have yet to register, it is only $20 to take place in the 5K. There is no cost to take part in the fun run, but registration forms still need to be filled out. The proceeds from the 5K go to benefit the Hensel Eckman YMCA's financial assistance program. You cannot go wrong with a healthy event that helps the community.

Even if running is not your strong point, there are so many other ways to enjoy the day at the festival. Like any good festival, there are plenty of arts and crafts to admire as well as vendors where you can purchase so many great items.

Not only are there arts & crafts, but you can also enjoy the car show that features antique vehicles. The Old Dominion Historical Fire Society will even be showcasing antique fire trucks. Cruise by to see the vehicles and then enjoy the wine tasting event featuring Peaks of Otter Winery and Rebec Winery and Vineyard.

If you are hungry, stop by any of the food booths. Since this event starts early in the morning and continues through into the evening, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As you are taking a moment to grab a bite to eat or gazing at the vendor booths, enjoy the live entertainment throughout the day. The lineup for the day includes Glen Shelton, the Billy Crawford Band, Southern Nights, the Rock'n Cruisers, 2008 Star of the Blue Ridge Sharon Edwards and contest finalists Danny Lawson and Sherry Turbeville, and two mini performances of "The King and I" by the Wohlfahrt Haus Players.

There are plenty of activities for the children, so make it a family event. There will even be a sand sculpture contest taking place during the day. Be sure to stay all day so you don't miss the grand finale event. At dusk, there will be a fireworks show by Grucci.

Although entry into the park is free, there is a parking fee of $5. People are encouraged to take a shuttle bus from the Dublin Walmart parking lot, which will begin picking up riders for the fireworks show at 6pm. It will return to the Walmart parking lot after the show concludes.