THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 26, 1995 TAG: 9505260495
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
The 12th annual Pungo Strawberry Festival opens tonight with a jam session.
Don't be surprised, though, that this kickoff features food for the soul, not the stuff you spread on bread.
Organizers of the Memorial Day weekend affair are getting things started in a different way this year, offering a free outdoor concert by the Virginia Symphony Pops.
Unlike the rest of the festival, you won't find tonight's fancy fiddlin' in downtown Pungo either.
This performance is slated for the 24th Street Park stage on the Oceanfront.
It's all part of a coordinated effort this year between event planners to refrain from staging competing festivals along the oceanfront and in Pungo this weekend, which kicks off the official tourism season at the Beach.
During the past two Memorial Day weekends, the strawberry festival has gone head to head with a Boardwalk Wine Festival and North American Fireworks Competition. Those resort activities, however, have been moved to later this summer.
After all, the rural offerings boast a draw of their own for locals and out-of-towners alike.
For those eager to take a ride through the country tonight, organizers also have planned a sneak peek at the carnival.
Although the heart of the festival is planned from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, amusement rides will open at 5 p.m. today on the festival grounds, at the intersection of Princess Anne and Indian River roads. There is a one-night only price for all the rides.
Parking for the carnival is available at the corner of Princess Anne and Muddy Creek roads.
For Saturday and Sunday events, festival-goers are encouraged to use a park-and-ride lot at the Municipal Center at Princess Anne and North Landing roads. Parking at the lot is free, but the cost of a round-trip shuttle to the festival site is $2 for adults and $1 for children under 6. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes.
Others can compete for one of 40,000 parking spots at the festival's three parking lots: the Pungo Air Strip on Princess Anne Road, Princess Anne and Indian River roads, and Princess Anne Road at Muddy Creek Road. Cost is $4 per vehicle.
Music, arts and craft and other exhibits are scheduled. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
by CNB