THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606090047
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 88 lines
The CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter hovered just 10 feet above the river, its twin blades stirring up a furious storm of spray and wind over the murky water.
Into that tempest jumped three Navy SEALs, one after another. Seconds later, the helicopter arched away, leaving the men to their mission.
Perhaps they were ordered to attack any number of vessels nearby. Or maybe to direct heavy weapons fire onto select targets ashore. Then again, they might quietly gather intelligence for later use.
But on this Saturday, the SEALs - D.J. Haley, Gary Welt and John Britton - simply waved to everyone on shore as they were plucked a few moments later from the Elizabeth River, earning applause from folks attending Day 2 of Harborfest 20.
Tens of thousands of people flocked to the riverfront on Saturday to enjoy the music, indulge in the food or simply soak up some sun on a warm yet generally comfortable day.
The skies were dominated by air shows, while a variety of watercraft raced and gave demonstrations on the river. The Coast Guard, too, got into the act with a demonstration of air-sea rescue.
But is was Navy SEAL Team 8 that provided one of the day's highlights, even though the mission of putting men in the water and then lifting them out was fairly routine.
``It looks more exciting in the movies,'' Chad Winters, 16, of Virginia Beach said afterward. ``But, then, these guys are real.''
And so were the weapons and tools they brought along to display. Everything from an M-60 machine gun and a CAR 15 assault rifle to combat swim gear and a full satellite communications system.
``It's fun to work with all those toys,'' said Rich Lamoureux, 27, a member of SEAL Team 2.
Lt. Greg Strauser, of SEAL Team 8, downplayed the SEALs' firepower.
``These days, if we're actually using weapons, it's probably a sign that our mission has gone a little astray,'' he said.
While older children marveled at the weaponry, younger ones were happy just to have a try at climbing one of the SEALs' ropes. Strauser happily helped them at their play.
Across the park, in Hill's Children's Cove, children were the focus of all activities. Parents found a variety of games to keep the little ones amused and involved.
One of the more unusual was the chance to become a human bowling ball.
Kids were strapped into a giant, steel ``bowling ball'' and then propelled down a lane at a half-dozen giant pins. Good aim brought a strike and a prize for the rider.
Daniel Nelson, 9, was sent rolling down the lane twice, taking out all but one pin. Was it his maneuvering or the send-off the grown-ups gave him that cost him a strike?
``It was their bowling,'' he said without hesitation.
Daniel and his parents, Duane and Stella Nelson, had not planned to be at Harborfest.
``We're from Windsor, Ga., and we're vacationing at Virginia Beach,'' Stella Nelson said. ``The hotel we are in has an activities director and he said, `You need to go to Harborfest.' So here we are.
``We're having fun. There's a lot of activities for everybody.''
A lot of other people seemed to be having fun, as well.
``It's been a very successful festival so far,'' said Harborfest's executive director, Don Walker. ``The weather has been wonderful, and the crowds are superb.''
And people didn't appear to be as jammed up on Saturday - always the busiest day of the festival - as they have been in the past.
A realignment of the festival layout this year appeared to have eliminated most crunch points. Maneuvering the park was easy most of the day, even as crowds grew in anticipation of the evening's fireworks, which went off spectacularly and on time.
Darryl and Nancy Wright of Norfolk found that the easiest way to get around was to bring along a small wagon.
``We've had less trouble with the wagon than with a stroller,'' Nancy Wright said. ``People don't get out of the way of strollers.''
So what does one carry in a wagon? One large teddy bear, water and munchies, a blanket and a pillow, and plenty of toys to keep ``Boo'' - 6-year-old son Robert - happy.
``It's working great,'' Darryl Wright said. ILLUSTRATION: MIKE HEFFNER color photos/The Virginian-Pilot
The Elizabeth River Ferry shuttled festival-goers from Harborfest to
the Seawall Festival Saturday afternoon.
Debbie MacDonald of Norfolk, who came to Harborfest with her
sisters, enjoys the Classic IV's performance of ``Good Lovin''' at
the Waterside Festival Stage. by CNB