DATE: Friday, October 17, 1997              TAG: 9710150125

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 15   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   49 lines

HOMEARAMA TO END ON SUNDAY AT CHESAPEAKE SITE

Since it's kick-off on Oct. 3, Homearama has attracted thousands of visitors wanting to peak at upscale homes, expertly decorated and landscaped. Before the event ends on Sunday, organizers expect between 60,000 and 80,000 visitors to their annual presentation.

Homearama is sponsored by the Tidewater Builders Association and is located at the new Goose Creek Estates subdivision in Western Branch. Eleven houses are open to the public, including the Goodwill House, a home entirely decorated with furniture and accessories found at local Goodwill stores, and the Timesaver Home, which features handy devices to make a homeowner's life easier.

When Goose Creek Estates is complete, it will contain 65 custom houses on lots of at least 15,000 square feet each. The neighborhood is divided by a lake spanned by a pedestrian easement. Plans also include a community park, picnic shelters and walking paths.

Organizers of the event said the Western Branch location and its accessibility to the interstate is helping to lure visitors from the Peninsula.

``We're expecting a pretty good turn out from Newport News and the Hampton area,'' said Joe Robinson, chairman of Homearama.

Vice-mayor John W. Butt said the Western Branch community is likely to benefit from the event and from the notoriety that comes with it.

``Western Branch has always been one of the sleepy communities of Chesapeake, but I think this will open people's eyes to the area. People that might want to live here,'' Butt said.

Several Western Branch businesses are taking advantage of the event by luring Homearama visitors to their stores and restaurants.

``We put up a sign on the corner of Dock Landing Road and Jolliff Road to attract some of the tourists,'' said Cindy Walker, co-owner of Cosmo's Diner in Western Branch. ``We couldn't resist. It was just too good to pass up.''

Walker said her restaurant has seen a steady stream of customers since the Homearama kick-off earlier this month.

This is the first year Western Branch has hosted Homearama and the event will remain in Chesapeake for another year. Organizers of Homearama have officially announced Warrington Hall in Greenbrier as the site for the 1998 event. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

The Mary Elizabeth is one of the model homes which can be viewed

visitors of Homerama '97.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu