Joy Ranch
Home for Children
813 Joy Ranch Road
Woodlawn, VA 
24381

276 236-5578
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JoyFest at Joy Ranch Home for Children on Saturday turned out to be the joyous and festive occasion it was intended to be by its planners.  "I thought it was great," Joe Stillwell, a member of the Joy Ranch board of directors gushed.  "It was a joy being at JoyFest!" said Karen Cecil Smith, one of the featured book authors.

"We had around a thousand people throughout the day," Joy Ranch's executive director Tim Lewis enumerated, "with the peak attendance around 2 pm.  It was wonderful to see a lot of excited alumni and to hear all of their 'remember when' stories."  Some former residents came from as far away as Baltimore, Maryland.  The Quilt Auction at JoyFest included 54 separate items that brought in about $3000.00 for the ministry located at 813 Joy Ranch Road in Woodlawn that has been home to over 5000 children since opening its doors in 1961.

The anticipated launch by Jonathan Trappe tied to a cluster of helium balloons (inspired by the Disney-Pixar summer blockbuster UP) had to be postponed to a later date to be announced due to potentially dangerous wind gusts.  "We know that the interest is there and the show will certainly be a hit," Lewis assured.  An approaching storm held off long enough for Ed Ristaino of the Lake Norman Balloon Company to give tethered hot-air balloon rides for about an hour, the ones for the children and staff of Joy Ranch being underwritten by Hill's Trucking in Galax.  "It was a blast!  I want to go up again," one of the children said while getting out of the basket.

There were several highlights according to Brent Carrick, promoter of the event for Joy Ranch.  "A group of clowns who call themselves The Froot LoopsTroop were excellent!  Their face painting and balloon tying were truly works of art, and they moved about from event to event adding their special antics to the proceedings.  The Flannigan family of jugglers were a real crowd pleaser, and as always folks thoroughly enjoyed the Blue Ridge Country Kickers clogging team."  And participants told Carrick that his brothers Clarke and John (the first North Carolina licensed blind auctioneer) who conducted the Quilt Auction were a "great team" and "kept it interesting."

"My family and I had lots of fun and can't wait to do it again next year" Christy King, staff member at Joy Ranch related.  Sandra Farris, the nurse at Joy Ranch and in charge of the Quilt Auction, was already making plans with Sarah Deaton, Joy Ranch's bookkeeper, for next year's auction.  And according to Lewis and Carrick there will be another JoyFest.  "It was amazing how it all came together to be the first year" Lewis said.  And Carrick added, "More than anything this was a 'friendraiser" instead of a 'fundraiser' and we feel like we made some good new friends that will be long term supporters of this ministry."
Bill Cox and his miniature donkeys give wagon rides.Four of the Froot Loops Troop Clown Ministry.Jedidiah and Jeremiah enjoy the Bounce House.Ethan Pratt gets ready for the contest.Mr. Tim asks, "Is this how it's done?"Hop, hop to to the finish! Bob Poff doesn't give up as Mrs. Pratt cheers everyone on!Lining up for the egg-in-the spoon-race.Ms. Mary participates in the Cracker Whistle Contest.Didn't have to recruit any volunteers for the Dunking Booth.Charles Burnette's team of miniature horses pull a wagon.How soon can you whistle after eating a mouthful of crackers?Lexi Hodge takes the plunge while Lance waits above.Careful now... don't drop the egg.Ms. Erica colorfully faces the day.The Blue Ridge Country Kickers clogging team kick up a storm.How long you been comin' to JoyFest?Kitty Myers plays the hammered dulcimer in the gym before the Quilt Auction. Photo by Joe LivelyJo Ann Redd & Libby Kahn sing and play autoharp.Crowd gathers for Jugglers Beautiful Quilts line the gym for the Blue Ridge Quilt Auction.Clarke and John Carrick make quite a team for the Quilt Auction! Photo by Joe LivelyJonathan Trappe's cloud hopper is inflated to test the winds.A few UP balloons are filled with helium in hopes of a Cluster Balloon launch.Ed Ristaino's remote control weather balloon ascends.Ed Ristaino's big hot-air balloon is being filled with air.Now the air is heated and the balloon begins to rise.Up, up and... back down in a tethered hot-air balloon ride underwritten by Hill's Coal & Trucking in Galax.Ms. Jen doesn't look too comfortable as she, Brittany, TJ, Drake, and Liz prepare to take off. Drake looks like he's an old pro at this.Mr. Ben, Ms. Wendy, and Ms. Susie look a little carried away.Mr. Tim and Ms. Connie are glowing in the light of the gas burner.Mr. Josh hangs on to his hat while Mary Upchurch hangs on for dear life.The view from the ground.
"It was a JOY being at JoyFest!"
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