Labor Day Events Abound in County

Published by the Scott County Virginia Star on Thursday, September 2, 2010.

From staff reports

One of the county's largest events begin Friday as summer comes to a close.

And while Labor Day is traditionally known as the end of summer, it also signals the start of festival season in Scott County.

Wagon Train

An annual event, sponsored by the Scott County Regional Horse Association, the Labor Day Weekend Wagon Train begins Friday, Sept. 3 and runs through Monday, Sept. 6.

The train is planned to go through the High Knob area of Jefferson National Forest.

For more information, contact Wade White at 479-5013.

Duffield Daze

Each Labor Day weekend, thousands descend on Duffield to celebrate Duffield Daze. This year's event is the 29th annual festival with most activities centered in the field beside of the Pioneer Center for Business Opportunity.

Kenny Fannon and the committee are working on the final touches for this year's version, which begins Friday, Sept. 3 with special music under the "Big Top" and concludes Sunday, Sept. 5 with the annual gospel singing.

The county's largest parade is planned for Saturday morning, Sept. 4 with music, food, crafts, antiques, loads of games for the children and local organizations and businesses offering free giveaways.

Complete details of the 2010 Duffield Daze are available in this week's special supplement.

For more information, contact Kenny Fannon at 431-2428.

'Papa' Joe Smiddy Festival

The eighth annual 'Papa' Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival winds down Duffield Daze on Sunday, Sept. 5 with musical performances that highlight the region's traditional sound.

The annual festival is presented by the Cove Ridge Center Foundation to promote Appalachian heritage of music and to honor University of Virginia's College at Wise Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Joseph C. "Papa Joe” Smiddy, a well-known old time musician, entertainer and educator. It is an official event of Duffield Daze.

The festival is held in the amphitheater at Natural Tunnel State Park, an affiliated site on The Crooked Road.

This year's featured performers include Dr. Joe Smiddy & Reedy Creek, Pleasant Hill Band and Nina Ketron & Just Friends. Town Branch Bluegrass, a performer from this summer’s "Picking in the Park" begins the festival at 5 p.m. Jam session of all musicians is set for at 9 p.m. as the festival finale. Tom Taylor will serve as the emcee.

Proceeds go to the Cove Ridge Foundation Papa Joe Smiddy Scholarship Fund. Reserved tickets may be purchased at Natural Tunnel State Park. Tickets may be purchased using a credit card by calling 940-2674.

General admission tickets are $10 when bought in advance or $15 at the gate. Patrons are advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Children 12 and under are admitted free as general admission with a paying adult.

Tickets are on sale at Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, Midtown Quik Stop in Gate City, Mountain Music Museum at the Bristol Mall and at Natural Tunnel State Park.

For more information, visit http://www.coveridge.com.

Sharing the Blessing

This year marks the last time community volunteers will host a "sharing" event in Pattonsville.

Organizers are planning the 18th and final "Sharing the Blessing" event on Route 604 in Pattonsville in 2010 with familiar activities planned and a last chance to celebrate with friends and neighbors. This year's event begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 5.

"Although this year marks the last year that we will be hosting Share The Blessing on Labor Day, please don’t forget to continue to Share Your Blessing in some way," said Tara Dillon, who serves on the event committee. "We would just like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the churches in the area that have been involved in making Sharing the Blessing Day happen.

"God has made it all possible by putting it on the hearts of men and women of the surrounding communities to make monetary donations and contribute their time all of these 17 years. May God continue to bless you, and we pray that you will continue to Share Your Blessing."

For 17 years, members of the Red Hill Church have joined with other churches to sponsor the one-day event that features free food, musical performances and games.

Activities for the children include a dunking tank, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball and other carnival games. A special tent filled with games and activities suitable for small children is also planned.

Musical groups performing include Dean Haney and Family, Kindred Faith and Hart Creek.

In place of the traditional drama, a crucifixion scene will be on display all day during the event on the grounds of Red Hill Memorial Church. All visitors are urged to drive slowly by to catch a glimpse of the sight.

The menu includes barbecue, hot dogs, nachos and cheese, potato chips, desserts, soup beans, cornbread, cole slaw, popcorn, drinks and snow cones. Food service begins at 11 a.m.

Door prizes will be given away hourly. Tickets will be distributed when visitors enter the festival grounds. You must be present to win any prizes.

Explore Scott County

A second-year festival has narrowed its focus to celebrate natural activities in Scott County.

Explore Scott County is planned for Saturday, Sept. 18 with most of the activities taking place at the Scott County Horse Park in Dungannon.

The event features a photography contest, trail ride, Civil War encampment, musical entertainment, vegetable displays, canoe trip and much more.

Sponsored by the Scott County Extension Leadership Council, the Scott County Tourism Committee and other local organizations and businesses, you are invited to join the celebration of "natural" Scott County.

Organizers are seeking outdoor photographs that depict the beauty of the county. Cash awards will be presented. Pictures much be presented as 8x10 prints in either black and white or color.

Entries can be dropped at the Scott County Offices, located below the Scott County Public Library or mailed to Scott County Tourism Committee, 336 Water Street, Gate City, Va. 24251. Submission deadline is Sept. 10.

Winning photos will be featured in upcoming tourism promotional materials.

The festival features a unique catch because once you have paid your entry fee for any of these events, you will want to stick around at the festival because they have lots going on - a Civil War encampment, storytelling on stage, a storytelling workshop, good bluegrass music throughout the day, farm-related items of interest, demonstrations by the Boy Scouts and horse pulling contests among other things.

Other events include a canoe/kayak trip, horse trail ride, outdoor workshops by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, buck scoring by the Appalachian Whitetail Association, information on fishing local rivers, exhibits of vegetables, chicken and livestock, farm equipment - new and antique and a portable sawmill.

Enter your pumpkin in the county's biggest pumpkin contest. Judging begins at 11 a.m. in the following categories: largest pumpkin, ugliest pumpkin, most uniform/prettiest, darkest orange color, smallest pumpkin and best decorated pumpkin (most creative or funniest).

Contact Walter Manis at 479-3228 for complete details.

Crafters interested in selling their wares are asked to contact Kathie Noe at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). The cost is $10 for a 10x10 paces.

Spaces are only available for crafters only - no food vendors are accepted. All concessions will be provided by the Boy Scout Troop No. 166 of Nickelsville.

The Scott County Regional Horse Association is sponsoring the fourth annual Draft Horse Extravaganza featuring a draft, farm and miniature pull and an obstacle course for draft and riding horses.

Activities begin at noon at the horse park and include paybacks starting as high as $200. Entry fee is $20.

For more information or directions to the Horse Park visit the Scott County Regional

Horse Association website at http://www.schorse.org or call Danny & Thelma Hensley at

225-7593 or (423) 914- 0749 for the pulls or Wade White at 479-5013 for the obstacle course and log skid.

For more information on any of the activities planned at Explore Scott County, visit http://www.explorescottcounty.com.