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In the News

Here is some news coverage of current and previous Clinch River Festivals:

NEWS RELEASE
Contact Ann Gregory, 276-762-7671; or Suzy Harrison, 276-762-5544

Clinch River Days begins June 4

The Taste of the Festival, showcasing area restaurants and vineyards, and performances by The Heart of Southwest Virginia Community Orchestra and Minus Linus will kick off the sixth annual Clinch River Festival Days on Friday, June 4, at A. R. Matthews Memorial Park in St. Paul. From 6-8 p.m. Friday, the Gallery at the new Railroad Museum at the end of Russell Street, formerly known as "the Brown House," will feature the work of photographer Tim Cox and will host a book signing by author Joe Tennis. The Gallery Display is also scheduled from 12-6 Saturday.

The Festival will continue all day Saturday, June 5, and Sunday noon through Sunday evening, June 6, concluding with the Community Worship Service at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Juried Art and Photography shows will be on display at the Oxbow Center throughout the Festival, and food and crafts vendors will be available on the Court and through the Park. Wine and cheese tasting, courtesy of area vineyards, will also be available from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, and from 1-6 p.m. Sunday.

A number of new attractions will be on tap for Festival-goers this year. Following the lead of recent hit television programs, a "Festival Idol" Contest will be held from 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday, with prizes geared to get the attention of the area's most talented. The winner will walk away with a $250 cash prize. Second place will be awarded $100, and third place, $50. Contestants, who are to provide their own music, must register no later than May 30 by calling Suzy Harrison, 276-762-5544.

Other new features include a Civil War Campsite by Company C 37th Virginia Volunteer Infantry, which will discuss conditions faced by the military during the Civil War, and will perform several re-enactments. The renowned Sugarcane Cloggers will perform at 12:30 on Saturday. Lonesome Pine Raceway will visit the Festival for the first time with the Raceway's Pace Car and a Race Car on display.

After a year's absence, Major League Wrestling will return to the Clinch River Festival, with matches scheduled at the Ma Whitenack Little League Field between 2-3 p.m. Saturday.

Festival favorites will also be back, headed by The Collegians with their Saturday night Beach Party at the Park's Pavilion from 7:30-10:30. David Browning, who delighted last year's Festival-goers with his Mayberry Deputy character, will return on Saturday, and plans to visit fans throughout the Park between 4-8 p.m. The Magic of Joseph Young will again amaze the audience between 4-5 from the Stage at the Park. Dana "Clown" Collins and "V.C." will entertain the younger Festival-goers at noon Saturday. Blue Grass Circle will provide music from 5-7: 15. D. J. Benny Mays will act as host throughout the Festival. Master Storyteller Charlie Engle, back at the Festival by popular demand, will delight the audience with his tales. A 5K Walk/Run begins at 5:45 Saturday. Saturday's Canoe Race at the Oxbow Lake will begin at 5 p.m. Prizes will be available for all three of these races.

The Old Dominion Bass Anglers will again host their popular Kids' Fishing Tournament Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at Oxbow Lake with prizes and lunch for all attendees. Parents are asked to accompany their children.

Environmental features include Team Estonoa's PowerPoint presentation on the St. Paul High School group's award-winning multi-year project as well as tours of Wetlands Estonoa on request; a caving trip, a canoe trip down the scenic Clinch River, and a "Save3 Our Streams" workshop Saturday at 3 p.m.

Sunday's activities will include gospel music performed by the James' (1-2 pm), Benny Jones & Friends (2-3), Delmar Presley (3-4), Joel Blevins (4-5) and King's Messengers will perform from 5-6:15.  The music will be followed by the Festival's concluding event, the Community Worship Service, hosted by the St. Paul Ministerial Association.

Admission to all events is free. The only charges at the Festival are for food and items from vendors.

Countdown to the Festival:
Sugarcane Cloggers among new features at Clinch River Days Festival June 4-6

The Clinch River Days Festival will, for the first time, feature the renowned Sugarcane Cloggers during the Sixth Annual event, to be held at A. R. Matthews Memorial Park in St. Paul on June 4 through 6. The Sugarcane Cloggers will perform on The Stage from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday.

A "Festival Idol" Contest, new this year, will offer first, second and third prizes of $250, $100 and $50! Contestants, who are to provide their own music, must register by May 30 by calling Suzy Harrison, 276-762-5544.

A Civil War Campsite by Company C, 37th Virginia Volunteer Infantry, is a new Festival feature, and will provide several re-enactments, as well as discussion of military conditions in this country 140 years ago.

Other new events include a Gallery Show at the Railroad Museum, featuring the photography of Tim Cox plus a book signing by author Joe Tennis.

A number of environmental events are scheduled, including a PowerPoint presentation by St. Paul High School's Team Estonoa about the group's national award-winning Wetlands Estonoa project.

Countdown to the Festival:
Art and Photography exhibits and music to be featured at Clinch River Days Festival

The Sixth Annual Clinch River Days Festival, to be held June 4-6, will again feature a Juried Art Show and Juried Photography Show at the Oxbow Center at the entrance to A. R. Matthews Memorial Park, St. Paul. Significant prizes are offered for winning entries.

Entries to the two shows will be accepted through Saturday, May 29 A Gallery Show at the Railroad Museum, featuring the photography of Tim Cox plus a book signing by author Joe Tennis.

Musical events will also be featured throughout the Festival, beginning with "Symphony in the Park" by The Heart of Southwest Virginia Community Orchestra during The Taste of the Festival on Friday evening, all day Saturday, with a variety of musical entertainment, and concluding with gospel music on Sunday afternoon. Admission to all these events is free.

Countdown to the Festival:
Estonoa, other environmental activities will be featured at Clinch River Days Festival

The Sixth Annual Clinch River Days Festival, to be held at A. R. Matthews Memorial Park St. Paul, June 4-6, will feature a number of environmental activities, including Team Estonoa's PowerPoint presentation about its award-winning Wetlands Estonoa Project and the Estonoa Learning Center. Tours of the Wetlands will be arranged on request. Team members will informally discuss plant identification and help young attendees make leaf prints to take home. These events events are scheduled from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and from 3-5 p.m.

The Nature Conservancy and other environmental agencies will have several displays, demonstrations and hands-on workshops involving the Clinch River, endangered mussels, aquatic and plant life. These activities are scheduled between 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 5. Stacy Fowler will hold a "Save Our Streams" workshop at the Park at 3 p.m.

Two canoe trips down the newly designated Scenic Clinch River are scheduled. The beginners trip will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, with registration at 8:30. The advanced canoers' trip is Sunday at 12 noon, with registration at 11:30. A limited number of canoes is available. Admission to all these events is free.

Countdown to the Festival:
Entertainment to be at center stage during the Clinch River Days Festival June 4-6

The Sixth Annual Clinch River Days Festival, to be held at A. R. Matthews Memorial Park in St. Paul June 4-6, will feature a fantastic variety of entertainment, beginning Friday evening, June 4, and concluding late Sunday afternoon.
Friday night spotlights the variety, featuring a symphony orchestra and a popular rock and roll group.
Saturday's activities include Major League Wrestling, David Browning as "The Mayberry Deputy," The Magic of Joseph

Young, The Sugarcane Cloggers, Blue Grass Circle, clowns, musicians, art shows and the brand new "Festival Idol" Contest The conclusion to Saturday's activities will be the always popular Clinch River "Beach Party" starring The Collegians.
Gospel Music will be featured on Sunday afternoon, with a total of five groups scheduled from 1 p.m. until 7: 15. Festival DJ. Benny Mays will provide Gospel Music between 12-1.
Admission to all these events is free.

From the Bristol Herald Courier:

Clinch River Days takes on a new look, adds new activities

ST. PAUL, VA - May 12, 2003 - The first weekend in June is set aside in this southwestern Virginia town to celebrate mountain heritage and a designated Scenic River. Clinch River Days, started in 1999 by a volunteer group in St. Paul, will be held June 6-8 this year with a special logo created for the annual event and the addition of several new activities.

"Clinch River Days has grown so much in five years, and we expect it to become more attractive each year to not only our community's residents, but to the region and to cultural heritage tourists who can easily drive to St. Paul for the festival events," said Lou Wallace, a member of the St. Paul Tomorrow committee that organizes Clinch River Days.

Hoping to broaden the appeal of Clinch River Days, the volunteer group worked with marketing consultant Susan Copeland of Abingdon to create a brand identity for the festival and a logo that features the designated Scenic River, the area's ties to railroad history, mountain scenery and the fresh water mussels found in the Clinch River.

New events added this year include Friday night's "A Taste of the Festival," showcasing area restaurants and vineyards, and an outdoor performance of the Russell County Symphony Orchestra at the St. Paul Pavilion. Other new events on Saturday are the 105-mile Heart of Appalachia Bike Race and an Antiques and Collectibles Auction at the Oxbow Center.

"We're really excited about A Taste of the Festival," said Suzy Harrison, a festival organizer. "Our area restaurants plan to serve everything from ribs, barbeque, fish and hush puppies to pizza and ice cream. This is expected to be a great new event for Clinch River Days and one that will grow each year." A Taste of the Festival will be held on Friday June 6 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the St. Paul Park.

"Symphony in the Park," featuring the new adult symphony group from Russell County, will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday June 6 at the Pavilion in St. Paul Park.

The first Heart of Appalachia Bike Race will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday at Burke's Garden in Tazewell County and conclude at approximately 4 p.m. at the Food City parking lot in St. Paul. Several relay biking teams and solo riders are expected to race the 105-mile route which has been designated a National Millennium Trail. Food City is sponsoring the race and providing $2,000 in prizes, food and refreshments for the event. The Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority is also assisting with the event.

Also on Saturday, Russell Land & Auction Co. of Lebanon will hold an auction of Antiques and Collectibles at 2 p.m. at the Oxbow Center. Small collectibles and antiques will be accepted on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Grand Marshall of this year's festival is Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, who will be introduced at 5:20 p.m. on Saturday at the St. Paul Park stage.

This year's Clinch River Days continues the traditional events, including juried art and photography shows, wine and cheese tasting sponsored by local vineyards, amusements, craft and food vendors, and musical performances ranging from rock, bluegrass and classical to gospel. Events take place primarily at the St. Paul Park, the Oxbow Center and at the river at the Oxbow Lake canoe launch and the Clinch River trails.

Friday's events kick off with a caving trip that leaves from the Oxbow Center at 5 p.m., conducted by the National Speleological Society (register in advance by calling 276-889-8041). "A Taste of the Festival" is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the park, and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the rock group, Minus Linus, will perform on the park stage. "Symphony in the Park," featuring the Russell County Symphony Orchestra, will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the park pavilion.

Saturday's schedule kicks off at 8 a.m. with the start of the Heart of Appalachia Bike Race that begins at Burke's Garden and ends later in the day at the Food City parking lot in St. Paul. A beginning canoe trip on the Clinch River will begin at 9 a.m. with registration at the Oxbow Center at 8:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies, featuring the Boy Scouts and the St. Paul High School Band, will be held at 11 a.m. at the St. Paul Park. Also on Saturday, there is a kids fishing tournament at Oxbow Lake from 9-10 a.m., sponsored by Old Dominion Bass Anglers.

At St. Paul High School, presentations and tours of the student-based wetlands project, Lake Estonoa, will be given from 10-11:30 a.m. and 2-3 p.m. The Department of Game & Inland Fisheries will present a "Save Our Streams" water monitoring and certification class from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a field exercise from 1-3 p.m.

A 5K race/walk will be held at dusk at the Sugar Hill Loop Trail. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m.; walkers start at 5:45 p.m., runners start at 6 p.m.

The juried art and photography show will be on display from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Oxbow Center on Saturday and from 1-6 p.m. on Sunday.

Wine and cheese tasting with local vineyards will also be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 1-6 p.m. on Sunday.

Various activities will take place on Saturday at the park stage including clowns, dance performances, storytelling, magic acts and an appearance by the Mayberry Deputy. The bluegrass group Fescue will perform from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and "The Collegians" will be the featured group at the festival's traditional Saturday night beach party, performing from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

On Sunday, an advanced canoe trip on the Clinch River will begin at noon, with registration at 11:30 am.

Gospel music will be presented on the park stage on Sunday with various groups performing beginning at 11 :30 am. The Community Worship Service, featuring the Morning Star Full Gospel Choir, will be held at the park stage at 6:30 p.m.

From GoTriCities.com:

Clinch River Days transforms sleepy St. Paul

By Staff Reports

ST. PAUL, VA - June 2, 2003 - A sleepy little town in Southwest Virginia will spring to life next weekend to celebrate its mountain heritage and a designated "scenic river."

Clinch River Days, featuring a host of new activities and a special logo created for the annual event, will be held Friday, June 6, through Sunday, June 8, in St. Paul.

Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore will serve as the festival's grand marshal, and will be introduced at 5:20 p.m., Saturday, at the St. Paul Park stage. Festival events take place primarily at the St. Paul Park, the Oxbow Center and along the river at the Oxbow Lake canoe launch and the Clinch River trails.

This year's festival features traditional favorites like the juried art and photography shows, the wine and cheese tasting sponsored by local vineyards, amusements, craft and food vendors and musical performances that run the gamut from rock and bluegrass to classical and gospel. It's also loaded with new events including "A Taste of the Festival," an outdoor performance by the Russell County Symphony Orchestra and a 105-mile bike race.

Started in 1999, Clinch River Days is organized by the St. Paul Tomorrow committee. This year, the volunteer group worked with marketing consultant Susan Copeland of Abingdon to create a logo that features the designated Scenic River, the area's ties to railroad history, mountain scenery and the fresh water mussels found in the Clinch River.

"Clinch River Days has grown so much in five years, and we expect it to become more attractive each year to not only our community's residents, but to the region and to cultural heritage tourists who can easily drive to St. Paul for the festival events," committee member Lou Wallace said.

The opening day's events kick off with a caving trip, conducted by the National Speleological Society, that leaves from the Oxbow Center at 5 p.m. Participants should register in advance for the trip by calling (276) 889-8041.

Festival-goers will have the opportunity to sample the best of the best from area restaurants and vineyards during "A Taste of the Festival" from 5:30 to 8 p.m., Friday evening, at St. Paul Park. The rock band Minus Linus will perform on the park stage from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Russell County's new adult orchestra will present "Symphony in the Park" from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the park's pavilion.

"We're really excited about A Taste of the Festival," said Suzy Harrison, a festival organizer. "Our area restaurants plan to serve everything from ribs, barbecue, fish and hush puppies to pizza and ice cream."

Festival events get under way bright and early Saturday morning with the inaugural 105-mile Heart of Appalachia Bike Race. The event begins at 8 a.m. at Burke's Garden in Tazewell County and concludes at approximately 4 p.m. at the Food City parking lot in St. Paul. Relay biking teams and solo riders are expected to race the 105-mile route, which has been designated a National Millennium Trail. Race sponsor Food City is providing $2,000 in prizes, food and refreshments for the event. The Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority is also assisting with the event.

A beginning canoe trip on the Clinch River will begin at 9 a.m. with registration at the Oxbow Center at 8:30 a.m. The Old Dominion Bass Anglers will also sponsor a kids' fishing tournament from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday at Oxbow  Lake. At St. Paul High School, presentations and tours of the student-based wetlands project, Lake Estonoa, will be given from 10-11:30 a.m. and 2-3 p.m. The Department of Game & Inland Fisheries will also present a "Save Our Streams"  water monitoring and certification class from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a field exercise from 1-3 p.m.

Official opening ceremonies, featuring the Boy Scouts and the St. Paul High School Band, will be held at 11 a.m. at the St. Paul Park.

Two traditional favorites will be held both Saturday and Sunday. The juried art and photography show and the wine and cheese tasting from local vineyards will both be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, and 1 to 6 p.m., Sunday. The display is housed at Oxbow Center.

At 2 p.m., Saturday, the Russell Land & Auction Co. of Lebanon will hold an antiques and collectibles auction at the Oxbow Center. Small collectibles and antiques will be accepted on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The annual 5K race/walk will be held at dusk at the Sugar Hill Loop Trail. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. Walkers start at 5:45 p.m., runners start at 6 p.m.

Throughout the day Saturday, there'll be clowns, dance performances, storytelling, magic acts and an appearance by the Mayberry deputy on the park stage. The bluegrass group Fescue will perform from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by The Collegians during the festival's traditional Saturday night beach party from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

On Sunday, there'll be an advanced canoe trip on the Clinch River at noon. Participants should plan to register at 11:30 a.m. Gospel music will be presented on the park stage beginning at 11:30 a.m., and continuing throughout the day. A community worship service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on the park stage. The service will feature a performance by the Morning Star Full Gospel Choir.