For the 16th year, Claytor Lake State Park joins with the Fine Arts Center of the New River Valley to present the Celebration of Summer Festival. Held each year the second Saturday in June, the 2013 festival will take place on June 8. There will be music, arts and crafts,             food vendors, and wine tasting from Virginia wineries.

Claytor Lake Festival takes place on the shores of scenic Claytor Lake

The fire truck drive-in is a festival highlight.

Cars of all colors and vintages will be on display

This bug was best in show in 2012

Festival offerings include a variety of children’s activities, the Everett Lee Yearout Jr. Fishing Tournament and Essay Contest, radio controlled airplanes, and the annual car and motorcycle show, with registration the day of the festival, which begins at 10:00 a.m. although fishing tournament participants may want to arrive earlier. You can shop, eat, swim and even get a massage, while you enjoy the scenic surroundings on the shores of Claytor Lake.

One of the most exciting parts of the festival is the fire truck drive-in at 9:45 a.m. by the Old Dominion Historical Fire Society. Other organizations with displays or demonstrations include the Coast Guard Auxiliary Search and Rescue, DMV2GO, the Claytor Lake Sailing Association and the Friends of Claytor Lake.

Live entertainment for the day begins at 11:00 a.m. with a radio remote by Cumulus Broadcasting/PSK and will continue through the evening fireworks. Musical acts scheduled are Magic Moments, Uptown Trio, Part Time Party Time Band and members of the cast of Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre performing songs from the musical “Show Boat.” The fireworks display over the lake at dusk is a special sight you don't want to miss.

The Claytor Lake Festival Committee, Claytor Lake State Park, and the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley join together to coordinate the festival, and their experience shows in this well-organized event.

Admission to the festival is free. There is a parking fee of $10 per car or $5 with five cans of food, which will benefit local food banks. A free shuttle service will be available from Walmart in Dublin, with two pickups at 6 and 7 p.m. The shuttle will return to Walmart after the fireworks.

For additional details about the festival contact the Fine Arts Center of the New River Valley at 540-980-7363 or see the festival Facebook page here.

Claytor Lake State Park is located at 6620 Ben H. Bolen Drive, Dublin, Va. 24084. For general information contact the park office at 540-643-2500 or e-mail Claytor Lake State Park at ClaytorLake@dcr.virginia.gov.

See a Google map of the area here.

Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia’s award-winning state parks, or how to make camping or cabin reservations, call 800-933-PARK (7275) or click here.

Bring the kids, bring the grandparents, and celebrate summer! It will only be here a little while.