Wise County's 150th

August 5th, 2006, 05:18 AM

Assistant County Administrator Shannon Scott, who's serving as chairman of the committee, says the 15 community representatives have spent more than 1,000 hours planning for the main event "? a birthday party set for Saturday, Aug. 12, at Lonesome Pine Raceway.

The end result will be a celebration starting at noon and stretching on until 11 p.m.. Throughout the day, locals can enjoy music, children's rides, food and an afternoon visit from Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and former governor Linwood Holton.

And it's all free.

But the nighttime festivities are what Scott thinks will draw the crowds "? crowds he thinks might exceed the 7,000 seats that will be available at the raceway.

The committee has managed to book The Temptations Review, featuring standout Temptations member Dennis Edwards, and the Original Drifters, featuring Bill Pinkney.

"We want to give Wise County's people and our guests a gift all at one time,"? Scott said in a Tuesday telephone interview. "This is a coming together for Wise County that is badly needed,"? he added, noting that he hopes the celebration of Wise County's 150th anniversary, or "sesquicentennial,"? will bring the county's residents closer for years to come.

And it's all being done without spending taxpayers' money, Scott said. After all, something you pay for yourself isn't a gift. All of the events are being funded with corporate sponsorships from the local business community, he said.

Daytime activities
During the afternoon, Scott hopes to see the infield area of the raceway alive with children having a good time.

Along with several rented slides and other rides, the kids' portion of the day, which will last from noon until 4 p.m., will be staffed by 20 volunteers from Kids Central Inc. Head Start. The volunteers will lead children in both old-fashioned and modern games, Scott added. The volunteers will also be painting faces.

D.J. Freddie Bradley will play popular music during the day to keep the mood festive.

For adults who might not be as interested in those activities, there will be 1,000 chairs, 26 picnic tables and three large tents, to provide places to rest and cool down.

Clean restrooms will also be available, he noted.

From 1-3:30 p.m., free hot dogs with all the fixings, bagged potato chips, ice cream and watermelon will be provided by Food City. Free canned soda and cold water will also be available.

Midway through the free lunch, Gov. Kaine and former governor Holton will appear to greet folks and enjoy the festivities. Scott said he isn't sure exactly what's in store during the governor's visit, which will be from 2-4 p.m., but says Kaine will probably greet local people individually and will probably speak to the crowd.

After Kaine's visit, county volunteers will regroup, clean the raceway facilities and prepare for the big night.

Nighttime extravaganza
Both the Temptations Review and the Original Drifters have a summery Motown sound, and each feature members, namely Pinkney and Edwards, who have been inducted into the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame.

Scott said he and other committee members thought long and hard about what kind of musical act to book, and decided that the popular music of the two groups, well-known by all ages, would satisfy the largest cross-section of county citizens.

At 6 p.m., the gates will re-open. Local groups will be selling concessions, Scott said, the only thing those who attend the event will pay for all day.

Norton native Rusty Curry and Bill Hunsaker of Coeburn will share emcee duties for the night, and will kick off the evening's events at 7 p.m., introducing themselves to the crowd and perhaps, Scott said, revealing some surprise guests.

The Drifters will take the stage at 8 p.m., performing a variety of songs and led by Pinkney. Locals might remember his voice from the popular 1954 version of "White Christmas,"? which appeared in the 90s hit movie "Home Alone."?

The night will be special for Pinkney, Scott noted. Wise County's birthday celebration falls on Pinkney's 81st birthday.

After the Drifters finish, the Temptations Review will appear at 9 p.m. Scott noted that almost everyone is familiar with some of the original group's 1960s-era hits, such as "Papa was a Rollin' Stone,"? "Can't Get Next to You,"? "Cloud Nine"? and many more.

Scott noted that the free concert is a bargain, especially since Drifters tickets usually go for well over $50, and tickets to Temptations Review shows have cost more than $100 a piece.

The night will wrap up with a huge fireworks show, set to start at about 10 p.m. Scott says he thinks it might be the biggest fireworks show the county has ever seen.

Scott noted that plenty of county sheriff's deputies and state troopers will be on hand for security, and that ambulances will also be waiting outside of the track in case of emergency.

And even though Scott says he doesn't even like to think of "the R-word,"? rain, the event will go on rain or shine.

**imported_neutral** · August 12th, 2006, 02:32 PM

Is this still going on today. I've not heard anything else about it. Thought it might be cool to catch the evening entertainment.

**R0cketer** · August 12th, 2006, 03:38 PM

Oh yeah its still going on, the amount of planning has been tremendous. As one of the members of the featured acts has a birthday, the event will last a bit longer than some planned to honor him.

Thankfully the weather hasn't been too bad, I imagine that the fireworks and lasers will be great.

**retiredteach** · August 12th, 2006, 04:14 PM

Just came from there. Got there about 10:30 this morning and I have been pouring drinks all day. Now, must take a shower and head back. Food City brought 2300 hotdogs and there were gone by 3. Good turnout and great weather. Come down tonight and enjoy.