Thursday, July 17, 2008
A fair to remember
Country music singer and songwriter Aaron Tippin will honor the military with music and by building a bike on stage for Toys for Tots at the New River Valley Fair, which opens Monday and runs through July 26 in Dublin. The fair also features rides, a demolition derby, live entertainment.
Courtesy of Music City News
Country music singer Aaron Tippin will perform Wednesday at the New River Valley Fair.
Meet Aaron Tippin
- What: Tippin will be signing copies of his new release, “He Believed,” available only at Cracker Barrel restaurants.
- When: 12:45 to 2 p.m. Wednesday
- Where: Cracker Barrel, Christiansburg
- Contact: 382-2750
Video
It would be crowded, but country music singer and songwriter Aaron Tippin says he could play a concert in a phone booth.
"I'm more interested in the folks that show up than where I'm playing," Tippin said.
But luckily for fans, Tippin will be playing at a larger venue -- the Grandstand at the New River Valley Fair -- on Wednesday.
"We've had him here before, and he has such terrific fan support," said Bud Walsh, music coordinator for the New River Valley Fair, which opens Monday and runs through July 26 in Dublin. "He's a very nice guy dealing with the fans."
Since the last time Tippin performed at the fair about six years ago, he's started his own recording label, Nippit Records.
"When you're on the majors, you're kind of a racehorse, touring when they want you to," Tippin said. "In that regard, one of the nice things about an independent label is it's just nice to be able to race when I want to race."
In June, he released "He Believed" on his new label, written by Tippin and his wife, Thea. The album honored his father who died in 2005.
"He was my mentor -- he was the guy I looked up to most of my life," Tippin said of his father. "That's what's most exciting about this CD, that it honors him."
Tippin's performance is scheduled to coincide with Armed Forces Day at the fair because Tippin is a supporter of the military, Walsh said.
Tippin has traveled to Afghanistan and Iraq and is the spokesman for Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Armed Services YMCA and Toys for Tots, which is run by the Marines.
"I'm a supporter of any of the armed forces," Tippin said. "I'm just a big fan of our guys and gals, and I'm always trying to bring awareness. Right now I'm wearing six killed-in-action bracelets that were given to me by mothers of fallen soldiers. I just want to make sure everyone is aware of what they're doing for us."
While onstage, Tippin puts together a child's bicycle during his song "Workin' Man's Ph.D." to donate to Toys for Tots.
There will be a Marine in full uniform to accept the bicycle from Tippin at the fair show, Walsh said, along with other events to honor the military, including the playing of each branch's song.
"I do it every single show," Tippin said. "I'm a big fan of Toys for Tots and the Marine Corps. It's always rewarding, and it reminds [fans] it's not just for Christmas."
As for his children, he calls his sons Ted, 7, and Tom, 10, his best friends. He also has a grown daughter, Charla, from his first marriage, who is married to a pilot in the South Carolina Air National Guard.
NEW RIVER VALLEY FAIR
Schedule of events
MONDAY
Admission: Adults, $6; children 7 to 11, $3; 6 and under, free. Free gate admission to wristband wearer purchased at main gate only. Pay-one-price wristband, $17. Individual ride tickets, $1. Sheets of 24 tickets, $20
Noon to 5 p.m.: Goat check-in (Livestock Arena)
5 p.m.: Gates, Wysor Building and rides open
6:30 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies (Grandstand admission free)
7 p.m.: Youth Goat Show (Livestock Arena)
7:30 p.m.: Demolition Derby (Grandstand admission free)
TUESDAY
Family Day
Families: Free gate admission from 2 to 3 p.m. After 3 p.m.: Adults, $5; seniors 62 and older, $3; children 7 to 11, $3; 6 and under free. Pay-one-price wristband, $14. Individual ride tickets, $1. Sheets of 24 tickets, $20.
8:30 a.m.: American Dairy Goat Show (Livestock Arena)
2 p.m.: Gates, exhibit halls and rides open
Noon to 4 p.m.: Dairy cattle check-in (Livestock Arena)
5:30 p.m.: 4-H Share the Fun Talent Showcase (Stage at Wysor Building)
7 p.m.: Caprine Contest (Livestock Arena)
7 p.m.: Miniature Horse Pull/Horse Pull (Grandstand)
WEDNESDAY
Armed Forces Day
Uniformed military personnel admitted free. Gate admission: Adults, $5; children 7 to 11, $3; 6 and under, free. Pay-one-price wristband, $17. Individual ride tickets, $1. Sheets of 24 tickets, $20.
3 p.m.: Dairy Cattle Show (Livestock Arena)
5 p.m.: Gates, exhibit halls and rides open
5:30 and 8:30 p.m.: Dale & Friends (Wysor Building)
7 p.m.: Pet Show (Richardson Building)
7 p.m.: Acoustic Crossroads (Grandstand)
8:30 p.m.: Release of dairy cattle (Livestock Arena)
8:30 p.m.: Aaron Tippin (Grandstand. Grandstand seating: Adults $10; children 6 and under, free. Reserved seating, $18. All must have a ticket regardless of age.)
THURSDAY
Gate admission: Adults $5; Children 7 to 11 $3; 6 and under, free. Pay-one-price wristband, $17. Individual ride tickets, $1, Sheets of 24 tickets, $20.
1 to 5 p.m.: Market lamb and beef cattle check-in (Livestock Arena)
1 p.m.: Lamb weigh-in begins (Livestock Arena)
5 p.m.: Beef and sheep entries in place (Livestock Arena)
5 p.m.: Gates, exhibit halls and rides open
5:30 and 8:30 p.m.: Dale & Friends (Wysor Building)
6:30 p.m.: Lamb and Wool on Parade (Livestock Arena)
7:30 p.m.: Kristina Light, 2007 Star of the Blue Ridge Winner (Grandstand)
8:30 p.m.: Jake Owen (Grandstand. Grandstand seating: Adults, $8; children 6 and under, free. Reserved seating, $15. All must have a ticket regardless of age.)
FRIDAY
Gate admission: Adults, $5; children 7 to 11, $3; 6 and under, free. Pay-one-price wristband, $17. Individual ride tickets, $1. Sheets of 24 tickets, $20.
8:30 a.m.: Stockman's Registration (Livestock Arena)
9:30 a.m.: Stockman's Contest (Livestock Arena)
1 p.m.: Beef Cattle Show (Livestock Arena)
5 p.m.: Gates, exhibit halls and rides open
5:30 p.m.: Noel Digger (Wysor Building)
6:30 p.m.: Open Sheep Show (Livestock Arena)
7:30 p.m.: Arma Lawn Mower Racing (Grandstand. Grandstand seating: Adults, $5; children 6 and under, free)
SATURDAY
Seniors Day
Seniors: Free gate admission from 2 to 3 p.m. After 3 p.m.: Adults, $5; seniors 62 and older, $3; children 7 to 11, $3; 6 and under, free. Pay-one-price wristband: 2 to 5 p.m., $14; 5 p.m. to close, $17. Individual ride tickets, $1. Sheets of 24 tickets, $20.
9:30 a.m.: Market Lamb Showmanship Classes
9:30 a.m.: Market Lamb Show (Livestock Arena)
2 p.m.: Gates, exhibit halls and rides open
6 p.m.: Acoustic Crossroads (Wysor Building)
7:30 p.m.: Davis Rodeo bull riding and barrel racing (Grandstand. Grandstand seating: Adults, $6; children 6 and under, free)
SOURCE: nrvfaironline.com
