THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 9, 1996 TAG: 9605070160
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
The organizers call it the ``Biggest Beach Party in Hampton Roads.''
Starting Friday and continuing through Sunday, the Ocean View Beach Festival again will claim the sands that once supported an amusement park. Some 150,000 people from around the region are expected for the 18th annual event.
Held along the Chesapeake Bay front and the grassy knolls of Ocean View Park, the mega-beach bash should remind many party-goers of the old days that featured some 30 rides - including roller coasters and a Ferris wheel - a carnival and fireworks.
More contemporary entertainment includes a boat and jet-ski type crafts demonstration, a catamaran race, martial arts exhibitions, line-dancing, a large lineup of live music, and plenty of food and beverages. An expanded children's area will offer pony rides, a petting zoo, face-painting and other activities.
``We're trying to continue the success of past years and also put more emphasis on family and the kids,'' said Lee Williams, festival chairman.
The event runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Saturday night's performance by national recording folk/rock band Firefall is expected to attract a big turnout, Williams said. Other musical highlights include Sunday's all-day country roster, highlighted by national recording artist Collin Raye. Troy Hedspeth, a popular 13-year-old country performer from Virginia Beach, is expected to draw a big audience for his Saturday afternoon show. Regional and local artists will play throughout the weekend.
Activities will be centered around the main stage, a family stage and the community tent, which will have displays on the Ocean View revitalization plan, environmental issues, flood prevention and voter registration.
Originally a locals-only kind of affair, the party now draws a broad mix of revelers from New York to North Carolina and from all walks of life.
The event is produced by the Ocean View Kiwanis Club with the assistance of the Norfolk's Department of Parks, Recreation and General Services. Williams said the festival has raised about $200,000 for Kiwanis charities over the years.
Free parking and trolley service to and from the festival will be available at Ocean View and Willoughby elementary schools, the Ocean View Senior Center and Community Beach. ILLUSTRATION: HIGHLIGHTS
Friday
Michael Mulvaney, acoustic guitarist, 5 to 7 p.m., main stage.
Karaoke Craze, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., family stage.
Merman the Magician, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., family stage.
Fast Forward, beach and pop music band, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., main
stage.
Saturday
Bruce Todd, acoustic guitarist, 10 a.m. to noon, main stage.
Tap Club, country-western dance group, noon to 12:30 p.m., family
stage.
Rawhide and Roses, country line-dancing group, 2 to 2:45 p.m.,
family stage.
Lewis McGehee, acoustic guitarist, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. main
stage.
Troy Hedspeth, country singer from Virginia Beach, 3 to 4 p.m.,
main stage.
Bill Lyerly Band, pop/rock, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., main stage.
Dan Miller, magician, 6:15 to 7 p.m., family stage.
Firefall, national folk/rock group, 8 to 9:30 p.m., main stage.
Sunday
Johnny St. Clair, guitarist, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., main
stage.
Dan Miller, magician, 1 to 2 p.m., family stage.
Tae Kwon Do exhibition, 2:30 to 3 p.m., family stage.
Polynesian Dancers, 4 to 4:45 p.m., family stage.
The Mann Sisters, country group, 4 to 5 p.m., main stage.
Collin Raye, country singer, 6 to 7:30 p.m., main stage.
by CNB