FREE event with Confederate Railroad, Whey Jennings, ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ cast, and more; 8,000 per day expected Saturday and Sunday at fairgrounds
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, July 15 — When advance ticket reservations skyrocketed for a free concert featuring Confederate Railroad and Whey Jennings (among others), the Town of Luray had a serious question to answer in order to host the 25th anniversary celebration of Cooter’s in the Valley… How can we accommodate nearly 19,000 people at the Page Valley Fairgrounds?
The current population of Page County is around 24,000, with the Town of Luray housing about 5,000 of those residents — and the largest event the fairgrounds has hosted, typically demolition derby night during the Page Valley Fair, records an attendance of about 7,000. In 2017, the two-day event known as “Cooter’s Last Stand” drew more than an estimated 20,000 fans over two days from 42 states and 11 countries to the museum and store located along Route 211 a few miles west of Luray.
Cooter’s in the Valley was considered for this year’s event — where fans could get autographs of several cast members from the “Dukes of Hazzard”, buy show memorabilia, see the show’s museum and even a replica TV set of Cooter’s Garage, along with a host of vehicles featured in the popular 1980s CBS hit. However, they felt the Page Valley Fairgrounds might be an even better location.
“We just didn’t want to go through the tedious task of finding parking on farmer’s lots,” said organizer and store owner Alma Viator, wife of Ben Jones (who played Cooter Davenport on the “Dukes of Hazzard”). “So when we realized the fairgrounds were a possibility, we jumped. No farmers were unwilling; most were not approached.”
Back in June, the Town of Luray and Police Chief C.S. “Bow” Cook signed off on the initial event permit for an “estimated crowd of 5,000 to 8,000,” which was potentially pushing the limits of the fairground’s capacity. Then during the final weeks prior to the event, the announcement of a final agreement with Confederate Railroad as the main musical act — and the fact that the concert was FREE — drove ticket reservations from about 8,000 in mid-June to about 18,500 a couple of weeks before the July 20-21 event.
Organizers then contacted the Town of Luray about the size of the growing crowd and began having meetings with town officials and Chief Cook, who required an emergency management plan and a traffic plan.
“Collins Avenue will struggle to handle that many vehicles, as well the ultimate arrival and departure roads of US 340 North and East Main Street,” Luray Town Manager Bryan Chrisman told PVN. “Even with signs, VDOT cooperation, and a significant law enforcement presence, it will be a challenge getting that many people in and back out.”
Chief Cook placed a limit of 8,000 attendees per day based on traffic concerns and the capacity for parking at the fairgrounds for previous large events held at the privately-held venue. The Chief met with event organizers from Cooter’s for two hours in council chambers on Friday, with another meeting planned for today, and perhaps two more this week leading up to the event.
“We’re good…we’re not at odds with the folks at Cooter’s,” Chief Cook said on Monday, referencing a recent online article portraying friction between the two. “They seem to be agreeable with everything we have asked… Safety is priority No. 1…that’s the only reason we have restrictions.
“We have to make sure we are prepared to handle situations that may arise due to the influx of people coming here,” Chief Cook said, “on top of everyday situations we are already dealing with. We have to make it safe for everyone, from Cooter’s, to the fans, to the people who are not attending and just living their daily lives.”
After the July 12 meeting with Chief Cook and the Town, Cooter’s in the Valley canceled nearly 19,000 tickets and asked event-goers to reorder their free tickets to the two-day event. (See information and link below for ordering new tickets, if needed.) The move was made in order to better track daily attendance.
Collins Avenue, which feeds into the fairgrounds, is the biggest concern. Chief Cook said it will likely not be a thru street with two-way traffic over the weekend. Once vehicles arrive, they will be directed into the fairgrounds — protecting the crosswalk on Collins Avenue from the overflow parking the field adjacent to the fairgrounds. For cars that accidentally go down Collins Avenue and do not intend to attend the festival, they will be able to circle back through the overflow parking lot in the field.
Bulldog Field on Route 340 North will also be used for overflow parking as well, with shuttle buses running to the fairgrounds. The Town will also be using its mobile electronic message boards to help warn incoming traffic of the event.
Viator is helping organize the event for the store she and Jones opened in the Page Valley in 2017. The store actually began in 1999 in Rappahannock County, where they reside. The store operated in two different locations over almost 18 years before coming to Page County. They also opened “Dukes of Hazzard” memorabilia stores in Tennessee tourist spots like Gatlinburg and Nashville.
“MIss Alma”, as she is known in Hazzard Nation, said everything has been worked out by between Cooter’s and the Town of Luray for the store’s two-day, 25th anniversary celebration this weekend.
“They have been so accommodating and so willing to work out a plan that makes it safe and better for everyone,” Viator said of Luray officials. “We’re so excited and thrilled to get to do this in Luray.”
“Miss Alma” noted that Cooter’s in the Valley has held festivals in the county at the store on Route 211 (Cooter’s Last Stand) and on the southern end of the county at Shenandoah Speedway (Cooter’s Good ‘Ole Boys Fest), and now, in the Town of Luray.
“We’ve been all up and down the Page Valley…that’s how we feel about this county,” Viator said. “We’re so glad to be here.”
For all those Hazzard County vehicle owners — whether it’s the “General Lee”, Daisy’s Jeep, Roscoe’s cruiser, Boss Hogg’s caddy, or Cooter’s tow truck — organizers recommend that vehicles be brought to the fairgrounds on Friday, if possible, to be placed in the car show. Trailers will need to be parked a few miles west at Cooter’s on Route 211 after unloading at the fairgrounds. If the entry is the only form of transportation for the weekend, then owners will be allowed to bring the vehicle back and forth each day.
It is also recommended that all vendors set up at the fairgrounds on Friday.
Four members of the Hazzard cast will be on hand both days of the festival (see list below) to sign autographs, as well as others associated with the show. A full music lineup on both Saturday and Sunday includes Confederate Railroad; Whey Jennings (grandson of Waylon Jennings); and the Cooter’s Garage Band performing a set with Ben Jones, a set with Tom Wopat (Luke Duke), and a finale each day with all cast members in attendance. The Legendary Pacers, Spencer Hatcher, Nathan Stanley and Lisa Meadows will also be performing over the two days as well.
As an additional act of community support, Cooter’s worked with all local non-profit agencies that have permanent food booths within the fairgrounds — such as local civic clubs and volunteer fire departments — to have the opportunity to sell food at their booths during the event at no cost.
“We’re so happy we moved to Page County,” Miss Alma told PVN. “In 2017 we officially opened…it’s been seven years…and what a great experience we’ve had here in Page.”
Tickets still available and FREE!
If you got your tickets before July 12th at 4:09 pm eastern time,
then you have to get a new ticket.
New ticket link:
https://cootersplace.com/cooters-25th-anniversary-festival/
•••
25th Anniversary Celebration of Cooter’s in the Valley
SCHEDULE
Friday, July 19th – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Cooters in the Valley
• Noon – 4 p.m. — Autographs with Tom Wopat (Luke Duke), Rick Hurst (Cletus), Jeff Altman (Hughie Hogg), Tom Sarmento (Dukes Mechanic), and Kay Kimler (Daisy Stunt Double). Also tour the museum and gift shop, inspect several vehicles from teh show, and see the TV set of Cooter’s Garage.
Saturday, July 20th – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Page Valley Fairgrounds
• 8 a.m. — Parking starts at fairgrounds
• 9 a.m. — Gates open to fairgrounds
• 10 a.m. — Autographs start with Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke), Tom Wopat (Luke Duke), Rick Hurst (Cletus), Jeff Altman (Hughie Hogg), Dorthy Best (widow of actor James Best, who played Sheriff Rosco P. Coletrane), Tom Sarmento (Dukes Mechanic), and Kay Kimler (Daisy Stunt Double).
• 12-12:45 p.m. — Nathan Stanley is first to hit the music stage.
• 1-1:45 p.m. — Legendary Pacers, musical performance.
• 2-2:45 p.m. — Spencer Hatcher, musical performance.
• 3-4:15 p.m. — Cooter’s Garage Band with Ben Jones.
• 4:15-5 p.m. — Cooter’s Garage Band with Tom Wopat.
• 5-5:30 p.m. — Cast members with Ben and Tom.
Sunday, July 21st – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Page Valley Fairgrounds
• 8 a.m. — Parking starts at fairgrounds
• 9 a.m. — Gates open to fairgrounds
• 10 a.m. — Autographs start with Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke), Tom Wopat (Luke Duke), Rick Hurst (Cletus), Jeff Altman (Hughie Hogg), Dorthy Best (widow of actor James Best, who played Sheriff Rosco P. Coletrane), Tom Sarmento (Dukes Mechanic), and Kay Kimler (Daisy Stunt Double).
• 10:30-11:30 a.m. — Lisa Meadows’ Gospel Church
• 1:30-2:15 p.m. — The Deanes, musical performance.
• 2:25-3:15 p.m. — Legendary Pacers, musical performance.
• 3:25-4:25 p.m. — Whey Jennings, musical performance.
• 4:45-5:45 p.m. — Confederate Railroad, musical performance.
• 6:05-6:45 p.m. — Finale with Cooter’s Garage Band and Cast of “Dukes of Hazzard”
•••
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