A Few Minutes of Festival in the Park Art; Winners Announced

Parvin Pejman, whose work I thought was the best in the show, talks to my wife, Christina.^

Nan Mahone Wellborn (right) talks with a fan about her work.^

A line of artists and their groupies find some shade against the heat.^

Artist Dan Chitwood entertains himself with his banjo.^

Patrons cruise the art midway.^

Roanoke's best-known and most popular artist, Eric Fitzpatrick, talks to a young fan.^

Your favorite editor and one of his very favorite people, Jennifer Wise, pause to chat about his bucket of iced tea.^

Roanoke's 41st Festival in the Park packed them in today, despite temperatures bouncing off the Salem Ave. asphalt that must have driven the air into the 100-degree range, but it was a happy group.

My pal Anne Stinnett, who was showing some of her photographs, said there was a wave of people around noon and she expected another about 4 p.m. When my wife and I were there, around 3 p.m., the crowd was moderate, but it looked like a buying group, judging from the bags people carried.

The art show and festival runs noon-4 p.m. Sunday before ending for this year.

Here are the winners: Best in Show, Gray Dodson of Arrington. (Second was Kurt Kindermann of Bedford and third was John Wilson of Roanoke. Excellence in Design, Jamie Nervo of Boones Mill. Blair Wiley Fishwick Memorial Award, John Wilson, Roanoke. Paul Ostaseski Memorial Award, Vera Dickerson, Troutville. Allen Ingles Palmer Memorial Watercolor Award, Robert Flowers, Summerfield, N.C. Merit Awards, Drawing/Original Printmaking Gina Louthian-Stanley, Roanoke. Fine Craft Award, Brian Sykes, Charlotte, N.C. Mixed Media Award, David Eakin, Lynchburg. Painting Award, Nancy Stark, Roanoke. Photography Award, Susan Bidwell, Roanoke. Sculpture Award, Robin and Daniel Cater, Sparta, N.C. Watercolor Award, Vonnie Whitworth, Virginia Beach.