The Town of Halifax was transformed into an old-fashioned street fair as the much-anticipated celebration of Halifax County's 250th anniversary got underway yesterday evening.
During yesterday's event, crowds explored their history at a Civil War encampment and listened as three bands thrilled the crowds while performing on the courthouse lawn.
A grand balloon release got the event started in patriotic fashion, with area schoolchildren releasing red, white and blue balloons following a short speech by Tabitha Burton.
Sammy Watts and Friends kicked off the musical performances, playing such bluegrass favorites as "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," while the Piedmont Community Band debuted with local musicians performing traditional and patriotic music.
Headlining last nights musical performances was Kyle Martin and Friends, who performed until 9 p.m., on the courthouse lawn.
Many businesses in the Town of Halifax were open for the event, and hotdog venders strolled the sidewalk offering plenty to eat.
Today's events feature the formal opening ceremony at the courthouse, with featured speaker Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine.
Judge Charles McCormick III will preside at the 11 a.m., ceremony.
Before the ceremony gets underway, the Carolina Brass will perform in courthouse square, joined by the Community Chorale.
Several original compositions by Kenneth Cranford are planned.
Andrew Bawtree, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in South Boston, will deliver a dispatch from England's Ambassador, and David Booher, rector of St. John's Church in Halifax, will open the program with prayer.
The public is invited to attend the event, however, seating is limited in the courtroom.
South Boston Speedway will hold a vintage auto race featuring the East Coast Flatheads this afternoon.
Gates open at 4 p.m and the two vintage races are scheduled from 6-8 p.m.
Admission is $1 per person.
The first race will be a 25-lap feature with no purse, and the second race, another 25-lap event, will offer a $12 purse reflecting the purses when the vintage autos were racing.
The cars will be parked on the track between the races, and the public is invited to come down and meet the drivers and see the cars.
On Saturday, the annual Noland Day Fair will get underway at 10 a.m. in Providence with good food, a tour of two restored homes belonging to members of the William Carr family, live music and a Civil War encampment by Knibb's Battery.
There will also be crafts, paintings and basketry, an antique farm machinery exhibit, Brunswick stew and bake sale during the event.
The fair is held at the intersection of Morton's Ferry, Lake Conner and Coles Ferry roads.
Also on Saturday, South Boston will come alive with a birthday celebration in Constitution square from 3 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
There will be plenty of great activities for the entire family, music, games, history and fireworks.
Shuttle rides will be available from 3 - 6 p.m. between Constitution Square and the South Boston/Halifax County Museum.
From 3 until 5 p.m., Stanley Cole will provide old-time wagon rides in a horse-drawn wagon at the corner of Factory St. and Seymore Dr.
Old-fashioned games will be available for children aged 4 -12, including sack races, three-legged races, bat spin, an egg relay and watermelon-seed spitting contest.
Gospel choirs will take the stage from 3-4 p.m. in Constitution Square, and at 4 p.m. the Halifax County High School band will perform.
At 4:30 p.m. the Community Chorale will entertain, followed by gospel choirs from 5-6 p.m.
The Piedmont Community Band will perform from 6-6:30 p.m.
From 6:40 until 7:30 p.m., an ensign, fifer and drummer from Living History Associates will present a program of living history as well as fife and drum music commemorating the founding of Halifax County in 1752.
They will also roam the crowd entertaining from 5:00-6:40 p.m. and again from 7:30 until 8:00 p.m.
The county's birthday cake will be cut at 5 p.m., at the Prizery and at the same time the winners of the South Boston-Halifax Junior Woman's Club student essay contest will be announced at the Prizery.
The Virginia Army National Guard 29th Infantry Division Band will perform from 7:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and again from 8:45 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
The events end with a bang with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
Pack up the kids and a lawn chair, come on out and enjoy the weekend Halifax County celebrates its birthday!

There will be new principals at three county elementary schools next year.
On Monday night, the Halifax County School Board will announce its selections for those vacancies.
The appointment of new principals at Washington-Coleman Elementary School, Halifax Elementary School and Clays Mill Elementary School will be one of the big news items that will arise from Monday's meeting of the Halifax County School Board.
Monday night's meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the public meeting room on the second floor of the Mary M. Bethune Office Complex in Halifax and is open to the public.
The vacancies in the principal's post at the three schools have been created as the result of the retirement of the current principals.
Lillie P. Plaster, the principal at Washington-Coleman Elementary School, Tom McAdams, the principal at Halifax Elementary School and Ricky Hunt, the principal at Clays Mill Elementary School, will be retiring at the end of the school year.
The School Board will consider recommendations from school system personnel during a closed session and will reconvene in open session to select which candidates will get the jobs.
In addition to filling those vacancies, the School Board will also consider behind closed doors candidates to fill a Secondary Education Supervisor position at Central Office.
The announcement of the individual who will fill that post will also come Monday after a vote that will be taken following the closed session.
The appointment of individuals to fill those four posts will be among the headline items of Monday night's School Board meeting.
Other big items on Monday night's meeting agenda include the announcement and recognition of Halifax County's Teachers of the Year for 2002.
One teacher from each school has been tabbed for the honor. The winning teacher from each school will receive a $500 award.
The teacher from Halifax County that has been selected to be placed in the pool of regional nominees for the selection process of Virginia Teacher of the Year will also be announced.
A handful of students will also be honored Monday night.
The School Board will recognize Halifax County students who were selected as local and regional winners in the recent Virginia School Boards Association Southern regional Forum Art Competition.
In addition, Project IDEA students who had good performances in a stock market game will be recognized.
A number of other items will be up for discussion Monday night including the proposed county school budget.
School Superintendent Dennis Witt said yesterday that he and school system officials will give the Board a recap of the current budget situation and the recent moves by the Board of Supervisors with regard to the county budget.
"We'll talk some about the implications," Witt said.
"We will also offer some recommendations for the Board to consider so that it can know what it wants to do depending upon what happens with the budget."
The Board of Supervisors has recommended funding county education at a level that is less than what the School Board proposed.
"Their figures are based on what they call a mid-level budget," Witt said.
"If they go any less we'll have to make some pretty tough choices."
In a related matter, Witt said he will inform the School Board Monday night that due to the fact that the school budget apparently won't be finalized until early June, school system officials will not be able to issue teachers' contracts until late June.
"We can't send out the contracts until we find out what the final budget is," Witt said.
"It will be late in the month (of June), after school is out, before we can issue teachers' contracts. We will have to mail the contracts to the teachers."
Witt and Halifax County High School officials will ask the School Board to consider revamping its policy with regard to early graduation.
"We have a situation in which we have a lot of kids finishing (school) in January and we have a concern about it," Witt said yesterday.
"It's a long period of down time for those students. They're losing a half a year of education."
Witt said that this year 61 Halifax County High School students completed their high school graduation requirements a semester early in January.
"The number has steadily grown each year since we put the four-by-four (block schedule) in (at the high school)," he said.
"We're predicting an even larger number next year. We're concerned about that."
One concern is that the school system loses money as a result.
With the amount of state basic education funds that will be sent to the locality for the ensuing school year based upon the school system's average daily membership (ADM) figure in March, the school system cannot count those students who complete their graduation requirements and graduate from school in January.
"It's not a good situation for the students," Witt said.
"The money is a concern but the important thing is the students' education."
Sports-related items will also be a part of the agenda of Monday night's meeting.
Halifax County High School Athletic Director Don Thompson will present a report on the high school's athletic budget.
The report is being given to the school board in the wake of remarks a high school booster club member made to the School Board last month contending that the Booster Clubs are having to pay for items that the school and school system should provide in the way of facilities and facility upkeep and upgrades.
In addition, Thompson will also the School Board to support and endorse a proposal to the Virginia High School League for a two-group classification system.
If the proposed plan is carried out, Halifax County High School could find itself in a new "neighborhood district" with the start of the 2003-2004 school year. (See separate story in sports section.)

Donald Hochstein's proposal for a recycling center using the old Victory Tobacco Warehouse in Riverdale received the recommendation of the South Boston Planning Commission after a Wednesday public hearing.
Planners recommended approval of Hochstein's conditional zoning application to operate the center, with the condition that all material outside of the warehouse be properly enclosed in bins or other containers.
The warehouse, a 51,600 square- foot building sitting on 4.6 acres, is located in a B-2 General Business District, which is currently not zoned for warehouses.
Planners and nearby business owner Mac Ragans had some questions for Hochstein during the hearing, primarily regarding litter, pest control, potential environmental hazards and potential for increased traffic.
Ragans, owner of Mac Ragans Auto, told planners he wasn't against recycling in theory, but expressed his concerns over the potential for insects at the site, and possible mixture of hazardous material with the recyclables.
Ragans also asked if the warehouse operation would result in increased traffic in the Riverdale area, particularly during peak traffic times.
Hochstein, while speaking in favor of his application, said he was looking for a "clean environment, inside and outside," while saying the site "would look even better than it does now."
Hochstein also said he aniticipated regular cleaning of the warehouse floor, using a high pressure washer, and no chemical or commercial cleaners.
"I'm more concerned with pests than anyone," said Hochstein, who added he will have any pest problem addressed "professionally, if not personally."
In answering traffic concerns, Hochstein said that even under the most ideal recycling market conditions, he would anticipate 3-5 tractor trailers each week at the site to load recyclables for transport.
Hochstein professed both personal and business reasons for opening his recycling center.
He listed one of the primary reasons for his venture as his concern with the environment, particularly after the state-mandated closure of the South Boston landfill by the end of 2007.
Hochstein said the fact that Waste Industries is no longer accepting recyclables and does not plan to continue handling recycling, leaves a void in that service in the area.
He stressed that the town and county will eventually ship out refuse (after the closing of the landfill), and that pulling recyclable material out of refuse would save money by reducing the tonnage that has to be transported.
Hochstein's proposed plan outlines for "all of the cardboard, plastics, newspaper, aluminum and metal cans from the county, and towns of Halifax, South Boston, Scottsburg and Virgilina would be processed and baled, and a market for other materials would be a top priority."
Recycling bins for the general public are also proposed for the warehouse.
"Most people are aware of what recycling means; however, they have little motivation to actually do it," said Hochstein in a letter to County Administrator Joe Morgan in April proposing his facility.
"A partnership between my proposed business "Recycling Works" and the county and towns will change that by reinvesting part of my proceeds back in to the communities via non-profit groups (scouting, athletics, Ruritans, church groups, etc.).
"The citizens will see the fruits of their labors and everyone will benefit, as well as our environment.
"Generating and maintaining public excitement over recycling will be as important a goal to me as finding new markets for recyclable goods that have been buried to this point."
During Wednesday's discussion, planners got assurances from Hochstein that he would work with Ragans to address the concerns Ragans and they expressed.
Town staff recommended approval of the application, primarily because the nature of the proposed business was in compliance with the town's comprehensive plan.
That plan calls for a sound, comprehensive recycling facility in South Boston.

A discussion of possible zoning provisions designed to expand manufactured housing in South Boston was discussed Wednesday by the planning commission.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Lee Pambid explained that the ongoing discussions were a result of a bill under consideration in the last General Assembly session that would have allowed manufactured homes by right throughout Virginia.
That bill was tabled in part after legislators heard from communities statewide expressing concerns about losing local control over the location of manufactured housing.
The town's position, added Pambid, is designed to be proactive, rather than reactive to possible passage of a related bill in a future legislative session.
One proactive measure that planners considered last night was a list of possible features and options enabling location of "multi-sectional" manufactured homes meeting certain design and development standards.
Those standards, constructed by planning and zoning consultant John Wersing, would apply in some or all of the low and medium density residential zoning districts in South Boston.
Among features and options considered were: permit manufactured homes by Special Use Permit (SUP) in R-1 and R-2 Districts, and possibly require SUP in R-3, also; and specify design and development standards in the ordinance.
Some of those standards included requiring all new units to meet current HUD standards, be a minimum of 19 feet in width, have a roof pitch of not less than 4/12, and have residential siding and roof materials consistent with other homes in the district.
Additional standards discussed were to require the porch and front door to be oriented to the main street front of the lot, or oriented to respecting the established pattern of adjacent homes.
Manufactured homes would also be required to have a full perimeter masonry skirting wall.
Planners also received updates on the 2020 South Boston Transportation Plan and the Halifax County Land Development Task Force.
A public meeting is planned from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, before Town Council's regular session, for the public to make comments and suggestions on the transportation plan.
The purpose of the meeting, which will be held by Parsons Transportation and VDOT, is to describe the current and future transportation needs, as well as recommended improvements to the Town of South Boston's thoroughfare system.
The proposal includes several recommendations, including control changes (no left/right turns and traffic light phasing), street closures, intersection reconstructions and new road construction.
Some of the data collected for the study of the town includes traffic counts conducted in November 1999, accident report information from 1996 through 1998.
There are no commuter program (park and ride), mass transit (buses/wheeled trolleys), or rail components recommended in the proposed plan, but it does suggest a bike-walk trail from the Edmunds Park to the baseball fields at the Houghton Industrial Park.
Pambid updated planners on the newly formed Halifax County Land Development Task Force, whose purpose is to preserve the rural character of the county.
A current task of the group, according to Pambid, is to recommend ways to strike a balance between growth and density of development in the county in order to prevent clustering.

Civil War historian and author Dr. James Robertson Jr. will be the Halifax County Historical Society's guest speaker Tuesday, May 14, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Halifax.
The public is invited to the 7 p.m. event and the following reception. Dr. Robertson will sign copies of his books.
The nationally renowned Civil War scholar's presentation is in conjunction with the Society's celebration of Halifax County's 250th Anniversary.
Dr. Robertson is an Alumni Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech, teaching the largest Civil War history class in America with an average 250 students per semester.
His books include "General A.P. Hill," "Soldiers Blue & Gray," "Civil War! America Become One Nation," and "Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend," which won an unprecedented eight national prizes.
His latest work, "Standing Like a Stone Wall," is a biography of Jackson for young readers from nine to 90.
He was selected by the Virginia Press Association for the "2000 Virginian of the Year Award."
Currently, he is serving as historical consultant for the Hollywood production, "Gods and Generals."
Dr. Robertson may be seen on the History Channel and public television. He also has a weekly broadcast carried by 11 public radio stations. He appears regularly in Civil War programs on the Arts & Entertainment Network.
Dr. Robertson is a native of Danville, a graduate of Randolph-Macon College and earned his master's and doctorate degrees at Emory University.

Larry Chandler

Larry Chandler, 50, of McDonald Road, Scottsburg, died May 2 at Greensville Memorial Hospital, Emporia.
Mr. Chandler was born March 27, 1952, in Halifax County, the son of the late Edward Chandler Sr. and the late Lucille Waller Chandler.
Survivors include three sisters, Betty Waller of Atlantic City, NJ, Doris Williams of Scottsburg and Gail Chandler of South Boston; one brother, Irving Chandler of South Boston; one brother-in-law, Marlon Williams Sr.; a devoted cousin, Eugene Faulkner.
Funeral services for Mr. Chandler will be held May 11 at 1 p.m. at New Mt. Olivet Apostolic Church with Pastor Leonia Palmer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, and other times at the home of Doris Williams, 3154 McDonald Road.

Magnolia Dixon Easley

Magnolia Dixon Easley, 87, of Mt. Rainer, MD, died May 3 at her home.
Mrs. Easley was born in Halifax County on December 5, 1914, to the late Mariah Dixon and the late William Dixon.
Survivors include four daughters, Jean Campbell of District Heights, MD, Virginia Willis of Suitland, MD, Rev. Mable Stephens of District Heights and Viola Lawson of Waldorf, MD; one son, William Easley of Mt. Rainer; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and one brother, Herbert Dixon of Baltimore, MD.
Funeral services for Mrs. Easley will be held tomorrow, May 11, at 2 p.m. at Banister Hill CME Church in Nathalie with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. Francis Coates will officiate.

The family will receive friends at the home of Ruby Easley Chism, 1013 Trinity Trail, Halifax.

Bernard Younger Sr.

Bernard Younger Sr., 86, of Bladensburg, MD. died May 5.
Mr. Younger was born in Halifax County and was married to the late Adela C. Younger.
Survivors include two daughters, Wyomia 'Rice' Dobbins and LaVerne Tibbs; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; seven sisters, Jessie Johnson, Christine Edmonds, Edith Edmonds, all of Halifax, Earle Brown, Florine Miller of Baltimore, MD, Sallie Crowder of Glen Burnie, MD and Jugurtha Byrd of Lawrenceville; two brothers, Raleigh Younger of Pantego, NC and James Younger of Halifax.

Funeral services for Mr. Younger will be held today, May 10 at 1 p.m. at New Zion Baptist Church with Pastor Willie Yancey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Mary Elizabeth 'Queenie' Seay

Mary Elizabeth 'Queenie' Seay, 92, of 1069 Clover Road, Clover, died May 8 at The Woodview.
Ms. Seay was born in Halifax County on June 23, 1909, the daughter of Clarence Edward Seay and Virginia Alina Mims Seay.
Survivors include one sister, Sarah Guill of Scottsburg; and two brothers, Lawrence and James Seay, both of Clover. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Hurbert, Charles and William Matthew Seay.
Services for Ms. Seay will be held May 11 at 1 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Marvin Cook officiating. Burial will take place in the Clover Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, May 10, from 7:00 until 8:00, and other times at the home of her brother, Lawrence Seay, 316 Main Street, Clover.

Pauline Rickman Snead

Pauline Rickman Snead, 76, of 2037 Green Valley Road, Clover, died May 9 at her home.
Mrs. Snead was born in Halifax County on March 5, 1926, the daughter of Willis V. Rickman and Sallie Oakes Rickman and was married to Charlie D. Snead Sr. She was a member of Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church where she was in the choir and was retired from Burlington Industries.
Survivors include her husband; two sons, Charlie D. Snead Jr. and Michael D. Snead, both of Clover; three daughters, Annette Casen and Frances S. Roller, both of Clover and Connie Day of South Boston; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one brother, Milton Rickman of Richmond. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mildred Cullop and Dorothy Lewis.
Services for Mrs. Snead will be held today, May 10 at 3 p.m. at Mt. Laurel UMC with the Rev. Ann Tang officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Mt. Laurel UMC Handbell Choir.

Annie B. Wood

Annie B. Wood, 92, of Albany, NY, died May 7 in New York.
Mrs. Wood was born in Halifax County on February 22, 1910, the daughter of the late Charlie Tucker and Nannie Tucker and was married to the late William Algie Wood. She was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Geraldine Curtis of Jamaica, NY and Florine B. Cash of Atlanta, GA; one son, Sterling Wood of Schenectady, NY; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Services for Mrs. Wood will be held May 12 at 2 p.m. at New Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. Ronald Clark officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.