THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 3, 1994 TAG: 9409030496
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN AND TOM HOLDEN, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
A slow-moving cold front and near gale-force winds forced organizers of the American Music Festival to cancel the fireworks show that was to kick off the four-day inaugural event Friday.
With winds steady at 15 to 20 mph, the festival began to unfold under leaden skies that may have kept some visitors away, although hotel rooms were still hard to find.
``There's some availability, although we're full for Saturday and Sunday,'' said Rick Anoia, manager of the Windjammer Inn. ``We're 95 to 98 percent full today.''
Anoia, who is chairman of the Resort Leadership Council, said most hotels have not reported a high volume of cancellations, despite the weather. ``Everyone seems to be upbeat and excited about the weekend,'' he added. ``A lot of people didn't know how many bands there were until they got here.''
Robert Dunlap, manager of the Sea Escape, said some hotels are double-booked for the weekend. ``Tickets are selling well for the concerts, and the crowds are different this year - their mannerisms,'' Dunlap said, referring to a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere.
George Brand, owner of the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier parking lot, said there were fewer cars looking for parking than usual.
``It's kind of quiet,'' Brand said. ``Last year business was good by this time. But I think it will pick up over the weekend.''
Musical headliners Billy Ray Cyrus and the Beach Boys do not perform until today and Sunday, when merchants said they expect to draw bigger crowds.
The fireworks display, set to be ignited at 9 p.m. from the 15th Street pier, was canceled about 3 p.m. by city officials. It will not be rescheduled this weekend because the pier was available for one night only, said Nancy Pavona, manager of special events for the Department of Convention and Visitor Development.
``Anytime the winds get over 10 mph out of an easterly direction, the fire department has the authority to call off the fireworks,'' she said. Winds were steady all afternoon at 10 to 20 mph and were gusting to 25 mph toward the evening.
The National Weather Service issued a heavy surf advisory for Saturday and Sunday, with a 60 percent chance of rain Saturday night and an 80 percent chance Sunday.
Although the expressway traffic was lighter than expected early Friday evening, the Visitor Information Center reported a steady stream of tourists stopping in for help.
``It's been pretty good so far,'' said Buddy Wheeler, supervisor of the visitor center. ``Weather has some people iffy about coming out today, but it's heavier than a normal Friday.''
By 6 p.m. Friday, Wheeler said nearly 500 tourists had come through the office asking for directions to the beach and to the concerts. About 1,000 people should be coming through each day during the weekend, he added.
Tourists spent the afternoon unloading and checking into hotels while festival organizers prepared the four stages for the weekend's concerts.
Gary Paul, 23, said he doesn't plan to go to the music festival, but he visits the Beach each year from New York City because of the relaxed atmosphere.
``We just came because we came before,'' he said Friday, standing with two friends. ``We really like it down here.''
Charles Cummings of Baltimore, who was visiting the Beach with Shrylnee Johnson of Washington, D.C., echoed that sentiment.
``I don't plan to go to the music festival. They're a little too old for us,'' he said of the band lineup. ``We're going to try to find out what else is going on.''
Kristine Henry, however, came specifically for the music.
She is here with her husband, Wilton, and daughters Cindy, 4, and Irene, 7, from Brooklyn. They came to see Billy Ray Cyrus after finding out about the concert through the Billy Ray Cyrus Fan Club, of which they're members.
``We're going to try to hit all the shows,'' Henry said, while unloading the family's car at Station One Hotel. ``We're going to the Beach Boys and all of them.''
Henry said the family comes to Virginia Beach every summer.
After Blood, Sweat and Tears finished up Friday night's final show about 9:40 p.m. at the 24th Street Park, Ron Lindsey and Carol Rogers were enthusiastically clapping their hands and smiling.
``Excellent,'' said Lindsey, a Beach resident. ``I've been a fan for some 20 years. This is the first time I've seen them live.''
The couple met in July when Rogers, a Toronto native, was visiting the Beach. ``I've been coming back ever since,'' she said with a smile.
KEYWORDS: TOURISM by CNB