Three local events are planned this week

Local residents will have several events to keep them busy this weekend, starting tonight with Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department’s annual fire parade and culminating Saturday with a Wellness Fest and the annual Hillbilly Show at Sparta School.

According to Sparta-Alleghany Fire Chief Terry McGrady, the parade, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., is slated to begin at First Community Bank on North Main Street and end at the fire station, located at 64 Cox St.

The annual parade, that has been held for more than 20 years, is held to promote fire prevention and will feature members of the local fire departments, forestry service and the local rescue squad. McGrady added Smokey the Bear is scheduled to be at the parade as well.

At the completion of the parade, the Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department will hold an open house, complete with handouts and treats, according to McGrady.

Wellness Fest

The Alleghany Wellness Center will open its doors Saturday for a “Wellness Fest” from noon until 3 p.m.

Several free-of-charge events are planned at the center, according to Heather Andrews.

The events include blood pressure checks, swimming and therapy pool access, use of the indoor walking track, chair massages and games. Andrews noted that the list of games had not been finalized as of Tuesday.

“We will also feature some program demonstrations,” Andrews offered, adding that one of the programs to be demonstrated will be water aerobics.

A magic show, featuring Tommy Rash, will be held at 1 p.m. Andrews stated that pumpkin decorating will be held at the center. Andrews said blood tests will be available for a fee. Three options will be available. The first is a multi-chem test, which tests for cholesterol breakdown, electrolytes, glucose and a liver and kidney function. That test will cost $10. The second option offers a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which screens for prostate cancer, and will cost $21. The third option is a thyroid panel at a cost of $24.

Also during the three-hour event, visitors can participate in a raffle — the grand prize of which is a year-long membership — as well as take a tour of the facility. Those who purchase a yearly membership that day only will get a free month. Other categories of membership will receive a 20 percent discount.

Hillbilly Show

From rock-and-rollers to purple people eaters, a variety of talent will be found at the annual Hillbilly Show, scheduled to begin Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Sparta Auditorium. The emcees for the event for the 14th year in a row will be Bill and Sonia Joines.

The theme of this year’s show is “The Roaring 50’s and is scheduled to include “Gospel Grandpas” Dick Moore and Jack Shrewbury, the Alleghany Jubilee Dancers, with guest appearances by George Jones (portrayed by Kermit Pruitt) and the Judds, who will be back again after retirement (portrayed by Betty Smith and Dorothy Morris).

The event is hosted by the Alleghany Planning Committee, which describes itself as a supportive arm of the Blue Ridge Opportunities Commission, according to master of ceremonies, Agnes Joines. Joines stated that the $5 cost of admission will go toward a variety of charities.

“The money raised will go to two college scholarships and send four 4-H children to Special Olympics,” she said. Other charities slated to benefit include, but are not limited to, garden seed vouchers, the Headstart Lending Library and heating fuel for needy families. Refreshments will be available from the Education Station at Glade Creek School and raffle tickets for a $100 dollar bill will be sold for a $1 a piece to benefit Sparta Elementary’s Battle of the Books program. The date of the drawing will be announced at the show.

Meanwhile, videos of the night’s performances are slated to be available two weeks after the show at a cost yet to be determined. Orders for the video will be taken at the door, or can be made by contacting Agnes Joines at 372-4591.

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