THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603120123
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Norfolk's 43rd annual International Azalea Festival, set for April 15-21, is fast approaching.
Each year the city salutes the North Atlantic Treaty Organization by honoring one of its 16 member nations. The Netherlands is the recognized country for 1996. Reigning over the ceremonies is 23-year-old Queen Emilie Larissa Patijn of Rotterdam, Holland.
There are more than a dozen major events in the weeklong gala. The official welcoming and NATO flag-raising ceremony is April 18 at NATO's Supreme Allied Command Atlantic headquarters on the Norfolk Naval Base. The celebration is free and open to the public.
The Grand Parade through downtown Norfolk, set for the evening of April 19, is always a big draw. The procession showcases more than 100 units.
``People really turn out to see the elaborate NATO floats with their princesses and VMI escorts,'' said Ronda Baucom, program director for the festival.
Another big happening is the queen's annual dinner and ball at the Omni Waterside Hotel April 20. The formal party brings out a cadre of who's who from the city and festival. Although open to the public, the admission price is $170 per couple.
Back in the festival for the first time since 1991, the Blue Angels will command the skies over the Norfolk Naval Air Station the weekend of April 20-21. A free event, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Navy's premier flight demonstration team. Pilots from the squadron will serve as grand marshals of the parade.
Other key activities include the queen's coronation April 20 at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. The traditional venue for the festival, the garden's acres of blooming azaleas will share the landscape with 50,000 tulips donated by Holland.
The culture of the Netherlands and other NATO nations will be highlighted during NATOFest April 20 at the Nauticus Celebration Pavilion. The carnival-like gathering will offer music, food and a variety of entertainment.
More than 250,000 people from the Hampton Roads area and around the region are expected to attend some portion of this year's Azalea Festival. Festival officials say they are hoping for a reprieve from April showers. MEMO: Look for a more extensive preview of the 1996 Azalea Festival in the
April 11 Compass, complete with a schedule of events. by CNB