THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 3, 1995 TAG: 9506030287
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
The riverfront festival tradition continued Friday as Harborfest's Parade of Sail rounded Norfolk's Town Point Park at noon, officially kicking off the 19th edition of what has become one of the biggest public parties on the East Coast.
Across the river in Portsmouth, the Seawall Festival was off and running, too.
``This is just so delightful. We could never do something like this in Washington,'' said Lynn Sundland, who lives in the Northwest section of the nation's capital. ``It's too dangerous there. But it's so laid-back here and so fun,'' she said as she munched an ear of corn while relaxing on the grass in Norfolk.
Sundland, 53, said she and her husband have made a tradition of early June visits to their son's Virginia Beach home, partly so they can come to Harborfest.
``We only come (to the festival) on Friday and Sunday,'' she said. ``He works today, so we're on our own, which is kind of fun. But don't tell him that. He doesn't think we can do anything without him.''
On both sides of the Elizabeth River, folks in business suits, playing hooky from work, mingled with people in shorts and flip-flops Friday afternoon.
Ferries between Norfolk and Portsmouth were crowded as a steady flow of people traveled from one waterfront festival to the other.
In Portsmouth they found twin stages alternating entertainment, a large craft show and a midway of games and rides for kids and the young at heart. Some said they came just to see what was happening, others came for specific shows, and a few more said they were searching for bargains.
``Even with the ferry fee ($1 per person), it's cheaper to eat a big meal over here, if you look around carefully,'' said Lisa Briggs of Norfolk. ``But there are not as many choices over here, so what do you do?''
Go to both festivals, just as she did, might be the answer of some organizers.
Where festivals were once seen as highly competitive, cooperation is now taking hold.
``I've been talking with Don Johnson, the chairman at Seawall,'' said Harry Worley, Harborfest's chairman, ``and I think in the next decade . . . maybe next year . . . you'll see some joint programming.''
In Norfolk, everything went relatively smoothly Friday, Worley said. The one problem was a fire in a vendor's booth that delayed the opening of entertainment on the main stage by 20 minutes.
Friday is traditionally the most lightly attended day of the three-day festival. But unlike past yearswhen crowds thinned considerably as office workers returned to their desks after long lunch breaks, this year there was a good crowd all day.
``I worked a half day, changed in the bathroom and headed out. And I'm on my third beer at 2 p.m.!'' said Chris Lee, 23, of Norfolk. He was joined by three buddies, all of whom work at downtown businesses and agreed weeks ago to the half-day strategy.
``My boss is jealous,'' Lee said. ``Fine with me! Cheers!''
They even had a plan worked out for getting home. ``My girl is meeting us later, and she doesn't like beer,'' Lee said, ``so she'll get us all outta here.''
This year's festival will be familiar to most folks who have gone in recent years. Some traditional events have been moved, a result of continued downtown development, but most of the popular activities on land, river and in the sky are back.
And there are a few new touches.
For instance, if you're into big rigs, big boats and big boat engines, Volvo has a display to tempt you.
Along Waterside Drive in front of Waterside, the company has two new tractor trucks on display along with a half dozen huge boat engines, some with cutaway sides showing how the motor's energy is gear-relayed to the propellers.
Then there is the speed boat, with lines and a look that say it could easily serve Batman.
The Best of the East Volleyball Tournament is easier to find than in the past. It's next to the World Trade Center parking garage where the country music stage used to be.
Country fans need not fret, however. The stage is still at Harborfest, it's just moved to the area next to Waterside.
Elderfest and the children's area also have new locations, in the loop of Town Point Park nearest Nauticus.
And Nauticus itself, which was just opening during last year's Harborfest, is playing a bigger role in this year's festival. The first floor will be open free to the public all weekend.
PYRO Shows of Lafayette, Tenn., will work with Z-104 FM to produce tonight's fireworks show.
PYRO won the 1993 North American Fireworks Competition in Virginia Beach and took second place last year. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
LAWRENCE JACKSON
Staff
Festival-goers watch from the deck of Nauticus as the Parade of Sail
sliced down the Elizabeth River between Harborfest and the Seawall
Festival.
by CNB