Uncle Billy's Day scheduled June 6-8

Altavista's 59th annual Uncle Billy's Day happens this weekend.

The festival kicks off Friday night, June 6, continues all day Saturday, June 7, and wraps up Sunday, June 8. There will be activities and fun for everyone, much of it centered in English Park.

"There's plenty to do for the children and plenty for the adults as well. We hope they'll come out and enjoy the weekend," said John Tucker, chief of the Altavista Volunteer Fire Company, which is organizing this year's festival.

Music will be one of the big headliners, with rock 'n' roll, country, gospel and others.

Friday's activities get going with opening ceremonies at 5:45 p.m. at the Booker Building stage, followed by the Colgate Country Showdown and a performance by The Worx.

On Saturday, two stages will host Key West, Glenn Shelton, The Kings, Dragonfly, Overdressed and Under Aged, Diamondback, Pier 19, LoCash Cowboys and Sarah Johns. The music gets going at 10 a.m. and lasts until nearly 10 p.m.

Saturday night closes with a fireworks show featuring almost 1,800 exploding shells lighting up the sky.

Sunday's musical menu opens with Mark Templeton & Pocket Change at noon. Other entertainers will be John Sines, The Waller Sisters, Ronica and the Mighty Blazing Stars and Sounds of Praise.

Uncle Billy's Day will also have craft vendors, car show, art and photography show, concessions, children's rides and games, pony rides, cash raffle and the usual First Saturday Trade Lot activities on 7th Street.

A silent auction in front of the Booker Building will start Friday night and run until Saturday at 4 p.m. Some 35 items are already on tap.

And, so you'll remember the weekend, souvenir t-shirts will be available.

This year's Uncle Billy's Day is sponsored by First National Bank of Altavista, KD Country and Fellers Chevrolet.

Admission for the entire weekend is $5. Children 10 and under are free.

Uncle Billy's Day was first celebrated in June 1949. It is named for W.G. (Uncle Billy) Lane, who started bartering vegetables, farm tools and livestock in 1910. He would invite farmers to bring their goods into Altavista for sale, usually the first Saturday of each month. He also asked local merchants for auction items.

The annual event is the primary fundraiser for the fire company, which runs about 300 calls a year. It costs some $50,000 to put on the festival.

"We do hope they'll come and enjoy themselves and support our cause. We hope they'll come to support us so we can support them," Tucker said.

Festival FYI

*Shuttle buses will run all day Saturday transporting festivalgoers to the attractions.

*Pets are not allowed on the festival grounds.

*A first aid station will be available.

*Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

For more information about Uncle Billy's Day, go to www.unclebillysday.com.

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