BACK WITH A BANG

Crowds pack Clarksville for 45th Lakefest celebration

Lakefest 2022 returned to its pre-pandemic glory as crowds packed Virginia Avenue in Clarksville on Saturday for the 45th annual event.

Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce Director Sheila Cuykendall said the Virginia Lake Festival was a success despite a major rainstorm that blew through late Saturday and almost upended the annual fireworks show.

“It was a year to remember for the 45th, as storms rolled in twice during the event. We got a soaking, that is for sure. I am thankful that no one was injured and despite the storms we were able to continue our Saturday night entertainment and fireworks. Cuykendall said.

While the rains coupled with tornado warnings stopped the hot air balloon pilots from taking to the air for their traditional Saturday evening flight over the lake, once the storms passed by, boaters gathered en masse on the water to watch another spell-binding pyrotechnic display to mark the end of the two-day festival.

One amusing anecdote from the event had to do with this year’s sand sculpture. Several people on social media asked why the sculpture of a man hooking a giant catfish included balloons suggesting that this was the 43rd festival. In fact, there is a third balloon at the top of the sculpture containing the number “1.” Read together, the numbers 1, 4 and 3 denote the weight of the world record-setting catfish caught on Buggs Island Lake in 2011 by Nick Anderson of Greenville, N.C.

Four vendors who participated in the juried show were selected for their outstanding booth displays. They were Victory Wave, which received $100 and a first place designation, Timeless Charm in second place and Whiskey Valley Jerky in third place. The second and third place winners received $75 and $50, respectively.

This year, the judges awarded an honorable mention to Alex Wells for his booth selling and demonstrating the cracking of geodes.

The winners of this year’s raffle were Robbert Hagens, who took home the outdoor fun package; Pat Charles who won the $645 in local shopping; and Karin Kuhn who won the $200 in Chamber cash and Lakefest basket.

Cuykendall thanked the many people responsible for the area’s largest festival, saying, “the Chamber of Commerce organizes this event but we could not do the execution without the support of our sponsors, the Town of Clarksville and their crew the Clarksville Police Department, Clarksville Volunteer Fire Department, Mecklenburg Life Saving and Rescue, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and everyone who helps make this event safe and handle any emergency situations. We can’t be more humbled for the support of all these services and volunteers.”

She added a special acknowledgment to Brenda Farris, Stephen Hite and the many volunteers who work with them organizing the hot balloonists and their flying machines. Watching these vibrant balloons as they take to the sky is always an awe-inspiring moment.

 

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