Serving Scott County for
More Than 104 Years!

Summer Events Just Around the Corner

From staff reports

Memorial Day begins the unofficial start of summer and lots of activities are planned over the next several weeks to celebrate the days of fun and sun.

Local residents and visitors are invited to join events ranging from a takeover at the Wilderness Road Blockhouse and the annual Relay for Life fund-raising event to upcoming Fun Fest events in July.

Earlier this month, Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced record growth in spending by tourists in Virginia in 2005 -- $16.5 billion, a 9.6 percent increase over the 2004 figure of $15 billion. Preliminary data from the Virginia Tourism Corporation also indicates 207,000 Virginians are directly employed in the tourism industry, with a total 2005 payroll of $4.1 billion.

Although local data on the impact of tourism won’t be available until August, festivals and events in addition to the scenery of Southwest Virginia are just a few of the reasons tourists visit the area.

A brief overview of some of the activities scheduled for summer 2006 is highlighted below:

Siege at the Blockhouse

This third annual event allows visitors to see life on the frontier as they join 18th century settlers who stop for a brief interlude at the blockhouse on their way to Kentucky.

The Siege at the Blockhouse will be held June 10-11 at the Wilderness Road Blockhouse at Natural Tunnel State Park. Activities are scheduled on Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. followed by an evening campfire with storytelling at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 11 activities are also scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visitors will be able to walk through an 18th century encampment of Kentucky-bound settlers, watch as other travelers arrive on horseback, see various period crafts demonstrated and visit a Woodland Indian camp. They may visit the blockhouse, a representation of John Anderson’s fortified home. Colonial musicians and activities for children will also be on hand.

The highlight of the event is the Siege, slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday, when hostilities develop between the peaceful Indians, who have come to trade, and frontiersmen who are underhanded in their dealings with the natives.

Members of the Scott County Regional Horse Association are sponsoring a trail ride in conjunction with the event. Riders dressed in period clothing will travel from Rye Cove Intermediate School to arrive the blockhouse around 11 a.m.

For more information on the Siege at the Blockhouse, call 940-1643, 940-2674 or visit their website, http://www.naturaltunnel.info.

Pickin’ in the Park

Rosin up your bow and tune your guitar as players and pickers return to the amphitheater at Natural Tunnel State Park for the first performance in the Pickin’ in the Park series set for Sunday, June 11.

The outdoor concert series is held the second and fourth Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the months of June, July and August.

The series is sponsored by the Cove Ridge Cultural Arts Council and features many local performers.

Relay for Life

Organizers have planned the second annual Scott County Relay for Life to help raise money for cancer research.

Currently more than 15 teams have registered to participate in the Scott County event at Gate City High School track.

Organizers have set the 2006 goal at $25,000. Last year in its inaugural year, local folks raised $17,000 to aid the American Cancer Society in research efforts.

Slated for Friday, June 16 and continuing through until Saturday, June 17, team members join together to continuously walk to raise money for cutting-edge cancer research.

Teams composed of eight to 15 participants will camp out at Gate City High School and take turns walking or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event.

Although Relay is an overnight event sometimes up to 24 hours in length, the Scott County event is a 12-hour effort. Beginning with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. on June 16, the walk concludes at 6 a.m. on June 17. Individuals are not required to walk the entire 12 hours but teams are asked to have a team representative walking throughout the event.

To volunteer or request more information, call Ivy Lane, co-chair at 940-2313, Smith at (423) 292-1728 or Lisa Debusk from the American Cancer Society at 1-877-429-2955.

Beat the Band Horse Show

The Scott County Regional Horse Association is helping the Twin Springs Band raise money at this special fund-raising event.

Slated for June 17 at 2 p.m. at the Scott County Horse Park in Dungannon, the show features 36 regular classes and four championship classes.

All proceeds will benefit the Twin Springs High School Band and the public is welcome.

Nickelsville Days

A homecoming celebration comes home to Nickelsville in its annual Nickelsville Days festival.

Set for Friday, June 23, Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25, organizers have been working for months on the event, which is sure to be bigger and better than last year’s version.

Part of the fun includes games, crafts, homemade goodies and of course, a parade down Main Street.

For more information, call 479-2569.

Mountain Treasures Festival

It might one of the smaller towns in Scott County, but the population of Dungannon swells to several hundred residents each year during its July 4th celebration.

The Dungannon Development Commission, Inc. is hosting the 24th annual Mountain Treasures Festival July 4. This festival is a down-home event not to be missed.

This year’s theme is "Where Memories Are Made and Never Forgotten." The Traditional Dungannon July 4th parade will make its way down Main Street on Tuesday, July 4 at 11 a.m. Those wishing to participate in the parade should arrive no later than 10 a.m. for Parade line-up. The parade will have the same route as last year.

The DDC is also seeking crafters and food vendors for the 24th annual festival.

For more information on the event or for a vendor application form, visit the commission website at www.ddcinc.org or call the commission at 467-2306. 

Tour de Possum Creek

One of three Fun Fest events held in Scott County, the Tour de Possum Creek Bicycle Ride has grown from a few hundred riders to more than 1,000 participants.

The ninth annual Tour de Possum Creek and Family Fun Bicycle Ride is scheduled for Saturday, July 15 at Yuma Elementary School.

In 2004 there were over 1,100 registrants who enjoyed pedaling their bicycles on three different routes along the beautiful back roads of Yuma by the banks of Possum Creek. Riders can choose 7, 22.5 or 40 mile routes and go as fast or slow as they wish.

For more information, call 386-6665 or visit their website www.tourdepossumcreek.org.

Homeplace Highland Golf Tournament

In a setting reminiscent of the Highlands, local golfers are being asked to accept the challenge of playing golf the traditional way.

The Homeplace Highland Golf Tournament, an official Fun Fest event, is set for Friday, July 21 at 9 a.m. at Scott County Park & Golf Course.

The tournament, featuring a select shot format, will be played similar to other local tournaments but with a twist – all players must wear a kilt. In keeping with Scotland as the home of golf, local organizers believe the tournament will become an important part of the heritage and culture of the region.

For more information, call Sid Rhoton at 386-7130.

Homeplace Highlands Games

Traditional games of the Highlands will be recreated at the Homeplace Mountain Farm & Museum in Wadlow Gap beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 22.

Clan tents, Celtic music, genealogy workshops and other games are planned for the day’s activities.

The highlight of the day is when athletes compete in the traditional caber toss.

The Homeplace Highlands Games are sponsored by Sid Rhoton, Attorney at Law, New Peoples Bank, Clinch Mountain Cultural Center, Gate City Fire Department and others.

For more information, call 386-7130.

Carter Family Traditional Music Festival

For more than 30 years, the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons has held a music festival to coincide with the historic Bristol Sessions in 1927 that officially began country music.

This year’s festival, set for Aug. 4 and 5, will feature loads of talented musicians filling the valley with the sounds of traditional music.

More information on the 32nd annual festival is available online at the Carter Fold website, www.carterfamilyfold.org.

Business Directory

Vacation Guide