Hillbilly Show draws more than 700

Attendance was up this year for the annual Hillbilly Comedy and Variety Show, said organizer Agnes Joines of the Alleghany Planning Committee.

"We think we had about 700 people there," said Joines. "That's nearly double what we had last year."

With a seating capacity of about 936 people, the Sparta School Auditorium was nearly full. In addition, 70 local people took part in various acts during the show, bringing the total attendance up to near 800.

Joines said the larger turnout had to do with the show's new look. "We went back to our roots, which was hillbilly," said Joines. "We also had a number of new acts in the show. I think that's what really brought it in.

Above Right: Barefoot Pickers - Playing under the name "Hillbilly Girls" during the Hillbilly Comedy and Variety Show are (from left) Eddy Bakeberg of Lansing on guitar, Stacey Kelley of Whitetop, Va. on bass, Lynn Worth of Sparta on banjo, and Rita Wood of Lansing on fiddle.

Gary and Bobbie Parlier show off a few moves to the tune of Chuck Berry's "Johnny Be Good."

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