THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606040113
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: S08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Seawall Festival 1996
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: 51 lines
The Olde Towne Recreational Vehicle Park, open once a year during the Seawall Festival, is fast filling up for the weekend.
The park is south of City Hall on vacant waterfront land in PortCentre. It was started in 1994 at the urging of City Councilman Cameron Pitts. From a few takers that were mostly local the first year, the number of RVers grew to 103 last year. More are expected this weekend.
The park opened Wednesday and will close Monday. For $5 a night, RVers get 24-hour security and access to a dumping station and water on site.
The park is divided into two sections: one for individuals who come on their own and another for a rally of the Eastern Area Volunteer Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association.
The chapter members come from 10 states and the District of Columbia, and more than 70 vehicles are expected to join that group this year.
Another 30 or more vehicles will be parked in a paved area nearby. A grassy area around the parking lot will accommodate another 20 to 30 vehicles.
Voncile Gilbreath of the Portsmouth Convention and Tourists Bureau said the association chapter had its first rally at the site last year after some members came on their own the previous year.
``They had such a good time that they decided to do it again,'' Gilbreath said. ``These people are wonderful, and they enjoy being parked together so they can visit with each other.''
In addition, rally organizers will plan special events throughout the weekend.
Ranging in value from $50,000 to $500,000, the motor homes on hand last year featured luxurious gadgets and technology, including ``slide-out'' rooms that enlarged the vehicle with the touch of a button.
From the park, their owners can walk along the Seawall to the festival area and ride the pedestrian ferry to Norfolk, joining about 100,000 other festival-goers who commute back and forth between the Seawall Festival and Harborfest.
In addition, the city has distributed information about downtown activities such as carriage rides in Olde Towne, art galleries and museums, the Commodore Theater and restaurants.
A few spaces may be left in the park and anyone interested in parking downtown for one or more nights should call the Tourist and Convention Bureau at 393-5327 or 1-800-PORTS-VA. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
For $5 a night, RVers get 24-hour security and access to a dumping
station and water on site. The park is south of City Hall on vacant
waterfront land in PortCentre. by CNB