Marcie Hancock, Salem High School, recipient of the $500 Festival in the Park and EventZone Scholarship

Gwendolyn Sewell, Christiansburg High School, recipient of the $250 Visual Art Scholarship

Angela Huang, Cave Spring High School, recipient of the $250 Visual Art Scholarship

Mariah Davis, Salem High School, recipient of the $250 Visual Art Scholarship

Abagail Bagliani, Roanoke Catholic, recipient of the $500 John Will Creasy Memorial Scholarship

Emily Eyestone, Blacksburg High School, recipient of the $500 A.W. “Skip” Brown, Edward Jones Scholarship

Minjin Chung, Blacksburg High School, recipient of the $250 Music Scholarship

We wish all of these students a successful and creative future!

*Please check back around January 2011 for Festival Scholarship information.

Roanoke, Virginia (May 28-31, 2010)

However, we’re excited about the new additions to the line-up this year like Larry’s Tropical Bird Show, Dr. Laura Mann’s “Opera-tunity” Show and the Mega- Extreme Obstacle Course & Bungee Run.  All the daytime activities are absolutely free! What a great way to entertain an entire family without having to spend lots of money.

In addition to all of the great activities listed above, Festival in the Park is excited to bring many well-known, national acts to downtown Roanoke. Star Country, WDBJ-7 and Festival in the Park are bringing country star- Rodney Atkins and Big Kenny, from Big and Rich. Rodney Atkins has had over five hit singles that have topped both Country Music Charts as well as Billboard.  Rutledge will also be performing on opening night, May 28^th; gates open at 5:30pm.  On Saturday, May 29^th K92, Bud Light and Festival in the Park are bringing international sensation Sister Hazel.  Polychrome is a local group who will be opening for the platinum selling group.  Star Country and Cox Communications are back at it on Sunday, May 30^th with another great concert line-up including Chris Young, The Band Perry and Jaron & The Long Road to Love.  All three acts currently have hits on the Country Music Charts and I-tunes top 50.  Again, gates open at 5:30pm; music starts around 6:00pm.  Join us to celebrate Memorial Day (Monday, May 31^st) in style with 1964: The Tribute, presented by Q99, Kroger, Oakey’s and Festival in the Park.  This act is always a crowd favorite and we are excited to have them back again for another year!

You can enjoy all four nights of fabulous music for only $32.00 by purchasing a “Festival EZ 4-Pass” at any area Kroger Store or $10.00 per person at the gate.  Don’t miss out on this Memorial Day weekend tradition!

It was a beautiful day on Saturday, May 1 at Rockledge for the 2nd Annual Derby Day Gala fundraiser.  It was a little warm until the sun set, so all those big hats and cool seer sucker suite came in handy!  The food was great, the beverages refreshing, and Hoppie Vaughn and the Pace Brothers sounded terrific.  Nearly 150 “good looking” people attended and enjoyed the Kentucky Derby and the view from Mill Mountain – while supporting the Festival in the Park Scholarship for the Arts. 

See photos from the 2010 Derby Day Gala.

See more photos here.

Contact Debbie McClure at dmcclure@rev.net or call (540)-580-2526 to make your reservations.

Photo Courtesy of Rod Dixon

There’s a lot of elements that made last year’s inaugural Derby Day Gala fundraiser such a huge success.  The breathtaking view from Mill Mountain, the elegance of the Rockledge home, the graciousness of our event hosts, the enthusiasm of the Derby Day Gala committee members, the great looking people in their Derby attire, the fine wine, the mint juleps, and even the Kentucky Derby itself.   But certainly one of the big attractions of the event was the food prepared by the chefs and students of the Virginia Western School of Culinary Arts.   Not only was the menu  absolutely delicious, beautiful in presentation and plentiful – but the Culinary Arts students were so enthusiastic and enjoyable – they became a big hit themselves.

Photo Courtesy of Rod Dixon

The menu for this year’s Derby Day Gala, on May 1, 2010, has been tweaked to add even more classic Derby culinary treats.  It will feature action stations with carved turkey hot browns, shrimp & grits,  strip lion with Henry Bains sauce.  Also expect pork lion on sweet potato biscuits, grilled vegetables, Rumaki-scallops wrapped in bacon, Italian sausage dip, Kentucky Burgoo to name just a few.  Of course no Derby Day Gala would be complete without Kentucky Derby pie and other sweet treats!

Invitations have been mailed to last year’s guests.  We’ve had overwhelming response and the buzz has started.  Capacity to the Derby Day Gala is limited, but if you are interested in joining us I bet we can find room – and some food!  The Derby Day Gala is a fund raising event for Festival in the Park and it’s Scholarship for the Arts Program.   Your tax deductible contribution of $100.00 per person guarantees you a great experience and a few keep sakes. Event begins at 4:00pm- 9:30pm. Oh yea, we understand that Derby hat sales at Roanoke Valley retailers is already brisk – so we suggest you get started on your attire ASAP!  See this web site for Derby Hat ideas and tips.

Email Debbie McClure or call (540) 580-2526 for more information.

See photos from the 2009 Derby Day Gala!

Photo Courtesy of Rod Dixon

Photo Courtesy of Rod Dixon

Photo Courtesy of Rod Dixon

Photo Courtesy of Rod Dixon

The Entertainers

and pick up some great deals!

Festival’s Scholarship for the Arts Program began in 1991 and has to date awarded over $110,000 to area students pursuing further education in the arts.  These awards are made annually to high school seniors and college freshmen who live within a 100 mile radius of Roanoke.  This scholarship program is for post secondary educational studies in the arts which include:  music, dance, theater, sculpture, painting, photography, and drawing.  Please help us support the future of the ARTS in our community!!

For more information about the Scholarship for the Arts Program, visit the Festival in the Park website.

Click here to purchase Kroger Cabin Fever Series tickets.

Put on your dancing shoes and don’t forget your wallet! We will see you there!

The “Run for the Roses” Derby Day Gala, on May 1, 2010, is not only a great reason to break out the gala hat or your seersucker suit (or buy a new one) but it is also a benefit for a worthy cause.  Proceeds benefit Festival in the Park and its Scholarship for the Arts program.  Doctors Nancy and Kevin Dye open their beautiful home, Rockledge, to host this

Our Derby winner with the view of downtown Roanoke behind

event each year.  Built in the 1900s, Rockledge enjoys a rich history and sits just below the Mill Mountain Star.  During the Gala, all guests are encouraged to enjoy the grounds and  make themselves at home at Rockledge.  Of course there’s the awe inspiring view, especially at sunset.  Last year’s 1st annual event was a great success and we expect this year’s to be even better.

Winners of the "Best Derby Attire" Award

May 1, 2010 is Kentucky Derby Day, and in Roanoke VA, its also the Derby Day Gala.  Invitations will be mailed to charter attendees from the inaugural year.  Attendance capacity is limited but if you’d like to attend this year there may still availability.  Email Debbie for information and tell her you’d like to join the fun, enjoy the great food, mint juleps and all the festivities.  This promises to be a winning ticket!

See more photos from the 2009 Derby Day Gala

Festival in the Park is again be offering its annual scholarship awards to graduating high school seniors. Full time students planning to minor or major in visual or performing arts (music, dance, theater, sculpture, painting, photography, drawing, etc.); whose parent’s permanent residence is within a 100-mile radius of Roanoke; who have been accepted, or expect to be accepted into post-secondary training prior to the 2010 fall semester may apply.

The one-year awards being offered for 2010 will likely be:

• 1st place Music – $500 John Will Creasy Memorial –Festival In the Park
• 1st place Performing Arts – $500 A. W. (Skip) Brown, Edward Jones Scholarship
• 1st place Visual Arts – $500 – EventZone Scholarship
• 2nd place Music – $250 2nd place Performing Arts – $250
• 2nd place Visual Arts- $250
• One or Two Special Honorable mention awards of $250 any category

The awards will be made directly to the institutions that the recipients attend, to be applied to tuition, housing, books, or supplies.

Formal presentation of the scholarship awards will be made during the 2010 Festival in the Park . The winners of Visual Arts (paintings, photography, sculptures) will be allowed to participate at no charge in the three-day Fine Arts and Crafts Show during the Memorial Day weekend of May 28 – 31, 2010.

2010 APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 6 , so please visit the Festival in the Park Scholarship web page to access and submit the application.  Contact Amanda Gaylor, (540)-342-2640 X233 if you have any questions.

Thanks to all teachers and counselors who help spread the word about our scholarship!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2009 FESTIVAL IN THE PARK SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:

• Chris Barker- EventZone- Festival in the Park Scholarship $500.00
• Dylan Renee Summers- A.W. “Skip” Brown, Edward Jones Scholarship $500.00
• Alexandria Smith- John Will Creasy Memorial- Festival in the Park Scholarship $500.00
• Ana Morales- Festival in the Park Scholarship $250.00
• Nigel Huckle- A.W. “Skip” Brown, Edward Jones Scholarship $500.00
• Jessica Wang- Festival in the Park Scholarship $250.00
• Amanda Lowery- Festival in the Park Scholarship $250.00

In 2010, Festival in the Park is again offering its annual scholarship awards to graduating high school seniors. Full time students planning to minor or major in visual or performing arts (music, dance, theater, sculpture, painting, photography, drawing, etc.); whose parent’s permanent residence is within a 100-mile radius of Roanoke; who have been accepted, or expect to be accepted into post-secondary training prior to the 2010 fall semester may apply.

What schools have had winners?

In the Valley:
Salem 13
Cave Spring 8
Northside 4
William Fleming 4
Patrick Henry  4
William Byrd 3
Roanoke Catholic 2
Hollins University 2
Glenvar 2
Hidden Valley  2
Lord Botetourt 1
Home School 2

New River Valley:
Christiansburg 3
Blacksburg 3

Others:
Franklin County 3
Jefferson Forrest 3
Staunton River 3
George Wythe 2
James River 2
Auburn (Rhiner) 1
Heritage 1
Fort Defiance 1
PAST SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Brittany Covington
Rachel Freeman
Ursala Dilley
Rebecca Garland
Michelle Madison
Miriam Piilonen
Matthew Stephens
Christine Permentere
Michele Morris Wiley
C. Domeon Lester
Kimberly R. Eubank
Robert Doherty
Amy Bowles
Terri Edillon
Darci Hart
Jason Fizer
Carrie Hundley
Richard C. Beal, Jr.
Jennifer Stokes
Brooke Latham
Joannna Sisk
Aaron Hudson
Ryan Mahone
Erica Hodgin
Yvette Coronado
Aaron Crigkelderhouse
Jennifer Davis
Adam Johnson
Brie Getteson
Sarah Fenty
Kinsey Holder
Allison Flores
Vanessa L. Fassie
Lonny Bradford
Mary Stewart Atwell
Creceda LaMaire
Sherri Robinette
Abe Orden
Sean Trent
Timothy Nelson
Emily Finton
Courtney Via
Stephen Brown
Nora Morris
Thomas Simmons
Runal Kireet
Mehta Ashley
Renee Hall
William Smith
Havilah Liederbach
Erika Metz
Natalie Fassie
Willie Caldwell
Joshua Grisetti
Sarah Ward Rebecca
Ross McDermott
Aaron Dalton
Jessica Lawson
Lindsay Hall
Ruben Williams
Andrea Stroud
Megan Smith
Charlotte Noelle Kelly
Wallace Easter, III
Kevin Beasley
Jordan McArthur
Natalie Deck
Natalie Cook
Frieda B. Masters
Madolyn Smeltzer
Josh Flores
Alexandra Davis
Sera Tabb
Jenny Lewis
Meg Graninger
Erin Willett
Brittany Covington