ORWELL —
The 64th annual Grand Valley Festival is throwing a video game party and everyone’s invited.
The festival, at 78 E. Main St., takes place Aug. 17-19 and will feature a full schedule of events and entertainment.
One new event sure to attract a crowd will be the GameTruck — a video game theater complete with six giant HDTV screens, leather seats, a climate-controlled environment and all the latest games for Xbox360, Wii and PS3.
The GameTruck will be available 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 18; for $5 you can enjoy 20 minutes of individual play, or for a $5 entrance fee you can compete in the tournaments (Mario Kart at 2 p.m. and Halo Reach at 4:40 p.m.)
“We’re always looking for different things to do (at the festival) to have fun,” said Pat Hunter, administrator for the Conversation Station. She said that up to 64 people can play in the GameTruck at once, so no need to worry about wait lines. Proceeds from the GameTruck will help provide operating expenses for the non-profit youth center, which offers a safe place for children to learn and relax after school.
The winner of each tournament will win a $50 game card to GameStop, courtesy of Shannon’s Hartsgrove Tavern and Eatery. You must register for the tournaments ahead of time by calling Pat Hunter at 440-474-7102.
For those who would prefer to be up, up and away rather in front of a video screen, the Conversation Station also benefits from the proceeds of rides in the RE/MAX hot air balloon, an opportunity sponsored by Mary Bentley and Carole Stormer-Vaux.
“Its kind of neat how the community is pulling together to help the youth center as well as providing neat things to do for the festival,” Pat Hunter said.
Tickets are $5 a person and six to eight people can fit in the balloon gondola.
“It’s a tethered ride, so the balloon is held in place by ropes. We are going to be offering rides 6-8 p.m. (Saturday) weather permitting, so get there early!” advised Pat Hunter.
The Conversation Station isn’t providing the only excitement at the Grand Valley Festival, said Gary Hunter, Pat’s husband and chairperson of the festival committee.
“People just need to come see what’s happening and participate. It’s our 64th year and we’ve got a lot going on,” he said. A western theme will be sure to add some country kick to this year’s festival, he said.
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