Uncle Nave Blevins (right) takes his turn on the stage with the "Hee Haw Band" (also known as the Rise ‘n’ Shine Band) during Saturday night’s Hillbilly Comedy and Variety Show.

Hillbilly show attendance down slightly

Attendance was somewhat less than hoped for at the 11th annual Hillbilly Comedy and Variety Show last Saturday night. Nevertheless, the show once again proved to be a crowd-pleaser and a successful fundraiser.

"The audience just seemed to enjoy every bit of it," said Agnes Joines, who directed the show. "I got really good feedback that night."

Presented at the Sparta School auditorium, the event is a production of the Alleghany Planning Committee, of which Joines is also chairwoman. The committee is part of Blue Ridge Opportunities Commission. Funds raised benefit several local causes, including providing two scholarships and helping needy individuals and families. Joines said late Monday she did not yet have a figure of money that was raised. According to preliminary indications, however, "We must have done pretty good."

The auditorium, which seats about 900, was just less than half full for the early part of the show. Later on, Joines said, as the lawnmower race ended, more spectators arrived, bringing overall attendance to around 600. "That was pretty good, down from last year, but we could expect that with so much going on."

Audience favorites included the Golden Stars gospel quartet of Galax, Va., who did multiple encores at the audience’s request. The crowd also enjoyed the comedy skits "My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It" with Carlos and Betty Pardue and "Five Pound Opossum" with Foyst and Judy Blackburn. "I think they went crazy with the ‘Five Pound Opossum,’" said Joines. "The audience just loved it."

Kermit Pruitt offered his impersonation of George Jones. "He was so good, it was unreal," Joines remarked.

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