Claytor Lake Festival is Saturday
Summer time in the mountains of Southwest Virginia means many different things to people. To Pulaski County residents and the Claytor Lake State Park it means it’s time for a celebration. And that is exactly what will happen on Saturday, June 9th, when Claytor Lake State Park will explode with vendors, musicians, arts and crafts, antique fire trucks, cars, fishing, fireworks and just plain fun.
The Festival is planned by the Claytor Lake Festival Committee a partnership between Pulaski County, Claytor Lake State Park and the Claytor Lake State Park Ambassadors. The Committee members include Judy Ison, Festival Chair, Steve & Vickie Morris, Rebecca Yearout, Debbie & Eddie Quesenberry, Anthony Akers, Karl Ehishlager, Gary Eifried and Chris Doss, Claytor Lake State Park Manager. The event also, has numerous volunteers assisting throughout the day. The festival also receives assistance from the Friends of Claytor Lake. The committee thanks all our sponsors for helping make the festival possible.
Starting things off this year will be the Everett Lee Yearout, Jr. Adult/Youth Fishing Tournament and Essay Contest, registration begins at 7 a.m. Awards are in the afternoon. At 9:45 a.m., an antique fire truck drive in by Old Dominion Historical Fire Society will charm young and old. The Annual Car & Motorcycle Show will be exhibited from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to show off the best of the old and new. Radio controlled airplanes will be putting on an array of tricks and stunts over the lake. New to the festival this year is a display of law enforcement.
Arts and crafts vendors will be available throughout the festival show casing, handmade goods, books, a wine tasting featuring Virginia Wineries. Flotilla 83, New River Valley’s Coast Guard Auxiliary unit will have search and rescue demonstrations throughout the day. The United States Coast Helicopter will join us this year with a helicopter landing and static beginning at 10:00 am and a search and rescue demonstration at 1:00 pm. The Claytor Lake State Park Ambassadors are adding to the day’s festivities with a Boat Parade. And to top all that off WDBJ7’s drone will make an appearance.
Children’s activities throughout the day in various locations these activities will give young ones a great day of fun, while surely pleasing mom & dad while they relax and listen to the sounds of Beach Music from Up Town Trio and the Part Time Party Time Bands. The Southern Nights band provides sound for the day then takes the stage at 8:00 p.m. playing southern rock until the fireworks. They will return to the stage after the fireworks. The Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre performers will kick off the entertainment at 11:45 am. The day ends with a spectacular fireworks display at dusk.
The festival begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends with fireworks at dusk. Entertainment begins at 11:00 am and will continue until the fireworks and entertainment resumes for about 1 hour after the fireworks.
Entry to the Festival is free, however there is a $10 parking fee or you may pay $5 and bring 5 cans of food. The food is collected by Boy Scout Troup 249 and stays locally.
The Festival Committee suggests you come early, stay late and enjoy a great day at Claytor Lake State Park. We hope you have a wonderful day at this year’s festival.
For additional information you may call 540-643-2500 or email the Claytor Lake Festival Committee at claytorlakefestival@gmail.com.