The Shreveport Journal from Shreveport, Louisiana • 52

Shrtvwrl Journol Frl July 3 IW7 FOUR-0 Travel: Folk festivals highlight July activities i of my all-time favorite festivals The jamboree among other things has an arts and crafts show carnival gospel concert and a pro rodeo called a "Pea-o-dco" But what makes it so special are the events like pea popping pea shelling a Peapickers' Square Dance a Miss Black-Eyed Pea beauty pageant a terrapin race and the Jamboree Cookoff With preliminary judging on Friday and the finals on Saturday it's a case of who can come up with the best reel-pea using of course black-eyed peas They don't care whether the peas are fresh frozen canned or dried just so they're black-eyed The contest has divisions for adults and children with four categories: appetizer salad vegetable-main dish and last but not least a division called "Peanique" for anything that doesn't fit in the first three Just talking to the judges while tasting the winning dishes is enough reason to take in a day of the Jamboree Among the judges this year will be the Journal's Marge Fischer Howard Rosser tourism director for the East Texas Chamber of Commerce and David Wade well known Dallas gourmet and radio personality Most events will take place at Central Park and Trinity Valley Community College (formerly Henderson County Junior College) but the Pca-o-deo and Little Britches Rodeo (for youngsters) will be held at the Fairgrounds For more information write the Athens Texas Chamber of Commerce PO Box 2600 Athens Texas 75751 or call (214) 675-5181 And this weekend beginning Sunday and continuing on Monday will be Annie's Fifth Annual Needlecraft Fair It all started a decade or so ago when Jerry and Anita Gentry decided to take her imagination and talent and combine it with his advertising skills Their plan which obviously worked maybe even better than they expected led first to a mail order needlecraft pattern business called Annie's Attic (Annie was Anita's childhood nickname) I've visited the and tea room restaurant and gift shop And because of the old homes they're in it's like a return to days gone by Annie's Needlecraft Fair Is held on the grounds around the three Victorian homes restored by the Gentrys You not only can see displays and demonstrations of needlecraft but you can take part In the Sunday afternoon needlecraft contest with its cash awards of $200 The grounds will be trimmed in patriotic red white and blue and turn-of-the-century costumes will be the order of the day For complete details contact Annie's PO Box 928 Big Sandy Texas 75755 The phone number is (214) 636-4303 Black-Eyed Pea Jamboree It's not what you would say is a spectacular festival The residents of Athens Texas describe it as "Pea-pie Pleasing Fun" and the Black-Eyed Pea Jamboree to be held July 16-19 is what you might call a simple homespun festival That's the reason it's one prices write to: Old Fashion Folk Festival 901 Ridge Ave West Monroe La 71291 or call the phone number listed above This year's Folk Festival In Natchitoches will not only be a showcase of Louisiana's folk art but a salute to Louisiana Aviation With national aerobatic champion Marion Cole of Shreveport as general chairman the salute to aviation according to the news bureau at Northwestern State University will take place at the Natchitoches Airport on Saturday and Sunday July 18 and 19 The airshow will feature "dangerous complicated stunts" as well as military jets and an exhibit of World War I and II tighten Inside Prather Coliseum on the Northwestern campus will be an extensive educational overall look at aviation with 12 detailed exhibits everything from radio-controlled airplanes to air traffic control Louisiana women in aviation and aerial photography The festival will also showcase more than 30 master folk craftsmen 25 Cajun country-western bluegrass and blues bands along with what they call "the best food in Cane River Country" On the menu are such tidbits as Indian fry bread fried alligator and catfish soul food Cajun dishes Cane River Cream Pie barbecue Italian sandwiches Oriental dishes and of course Natchitoches meat pies Tickets are $5 for the daytime programs and $4 for the music shows Friday and Saturday nights Children under 3 are $3 -r- 1l By BOB CRIFFIN Journal Travel Writer Mark down the weekend of July 17 18 and 19 on your calender On that weekend you have the eighth Annual Natchitoches-Northwestern State University Folk Festival to the south In the historic Louisiana town of Natchitoches while to the east In West Monroe it'll be the Old Fashion Folk Festival in the city's Convention Center This is the seventh year for the West Monroe festival and Dianne Blister festival director says it should be even more entertaining and fun than In the past Among the new events says Brister "The Indian Inter-Tribal Association of Arkansas Inc will be performing their traditional dances Some of the tribes that will be represented are Cherokee Sioux Apache Osage Fox Seneca Cheyenne Wyondot and Kiowa" The festival will feature craftsmen who will give demonstrations as well as show their wares In fact the festival is still looking for "a few good craftsmen" and if that sounds like it's up your alley call Brister at (318) 396-5000 The festival will also feature a variety of authentic folk foods including some tasty Cajun cuisine Listed as things to do at the three-day event: the Old Syrup Mill with live demonstrations country and general stores antiques face painting and games and contests For more information and ticket Lorraine Gendron of Hahnville will be one of the many craftsmen at the annual Natchitoches-Northwestern Folk Festival July 17-19 Annie's Needlecraft Fair You'll see the turnoff to Big Sandy Texas as you travel 1-20 past the Tyler Exit toward Dallas Just take Highway 155 north for a few miles and you'll find it the home of Annie's Bed and Breakfast Annie's Tea Room and Annie's Needlecraft Gallery and Gift Shop i The Texas Cyclone at Astro World rated the world's best roller coaster fv hl: Mi: Jj' a-j 5 A rf3 4r the musical "Texas Heartache" reminiscent of an old timey saloon show During the evening it's the "Great Texas Longhorn Revue" At night it's the fireworks show this year with high-tech lasers added All in all the 75-acre AstroWorld just off Loop 610 between Fannin and Kirby has more than 100 rides shows and attractions That number includes Greezed Lightnin' a 360-degree shuttle loop coaster and the Skyscreamer which is like jumping off a 10-story building Adjacent to AstroWorld Is the 15-acre Waterworld with all kinds of water recreation activities: water slides swings surfing and' other aquatic activities for all ages Among the water slides is Wipe-Out This is a 300-foot speed slide that starts 60 feet above the ground and sends riders down to separate slides across a catch pool of water at speeds up to 40 miles per hour The newest ride The Edge is an 80-foot free fall slide AstroWorld is open daily through Aug 30 except Mondays beginning at 11 am on weekdays and 10 a on weekends From Sept 5 to Nov 1 AstroWorld is open weekends at 10 Labor Day Sept 7 it'll also open up at 10 a Closing times vary WaterWorld is open daily through Aug 3 1 as well as Labor Day Weekend Sept 5-7 It opens daily at 10 am Closing times vary One day tickets to AstroWorld are the No 1 coaster in the world Now 10 years later he's sticking with his choice Cartmell says "The fine line that makes the Texas cylcone No 1 is that it's more of a continual thrill it one thrill after another" In talking about roller coasters and with this description I can identify Cartmell says "In a sense you begin your journey as a human being and exit as a dishrag" Some other things to catch at AstroWorld include the debut of the High Diving Team I caught this act at Six Flags a couple of seasons ago and they're worth a look-see They're not only funny they're good Everything from clowns to a fire diver to gymnastic-like dives are part of the show which also features a high dive from a platform 95 feet above the water and that's a long way "A Midsummer Night's Scream" Is a 30-minute illusion show in the Show-cast Theatre They say it's downright scary The show has it all: levitations spirited dancers mad scientists and creatures of the dark AstroWorld this season is also featuring the Bugs Bunny Cartoon Theatre The theater is part of Bugs Bunny in the Enchanted Kingdom one of the 12 theme worlds to be found at AstroWorld The others are Alpine Valley Americana Square Coney Island European Village Fun Island International Plaza Nottingham Village Oriental Corner Plaza de Fiesta Thunder River and Western Junction In the Texas Cow Palace you'll find By BOB CRIFFIN Journal Travel riter Dallas-Fort Worth has its Six Flags over Texas and Houston has its AstroWorld which just happens to be a member of the Six Flags family AstroWorld maybe not as well known in Shreveport-Bossier as Six Flags because of its location is just one season shy of 20 years old and a theme park doesn't stay around that long unless it's popular and well run One of the park's biggest draws is the Texas Cyclone a roller coaster copied after the original Coney Island Cyclone in New York only it's taller and faster The roller coaster is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year but now they're calling it the new Texas Cyclone because of the addition of a "sleek state-of-the art Morgan trains" The giant wooden coaster takes its riders up a 92-foot lift that drops at a 53-degree angle incline with the roller coaster ride reaching peak speeds of 60 mph Folks that's what you call getting with it Debra Ford of AstroWorld reminds me that the Texas Cyclone has been rated the No 1 coaster in the world by People magazine ACE (American Coaster Enthusiasts) and Robert Cartmell roller coaster expert It was in 1977 that Cartmell associate professor at the University of New York at Albany highly regarded in the world of coaster buffs and a man who's ridden more than 200 roller coasters named the Texas Cyclone $1595 children 2 and under are admitted free WaterWorld one-day admission $11 50 children under 2free The Texas Cyclone which reaches speeds of up to 60 mph has benratedthenumtieroneoller coaster intheworld.