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01 May 2006 |
Boomerang
New Festival Targets Beach Music Lovers
By Andie Gibson
Hoping to capitalize on great music and mild early summer weather, two area chambers of commerce are organizing a new Smith Mountain Lake event for June.
The Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to create “Boomerang: Back to the Beach,” a beach music festival that will take place Saturday, June 3 at Saunders Parkway Marina.
Key West, Domino, and The Kings will play from 1 to 8 p.m., with food and festive beverages available for purchase. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate.
This family-oriented event will add another signature Lake activity to the season’s calendar, according to Jay White, chairman of the organizing committee.
“The goal is to raise funds and awareness for tourism and economic development on the Lake,” he said. “It’s also about building up the season. Other than the [SML Chamber] Business Expo, this will be the first big event of the season.”
White said he expects the music festival to draw mostly local residents, plus a fair amount of beach music lovers from around the region as well.
“Because we’ve involved regional shag clubs, we expect to draw a lot from Roanoke and Lynchburg,” he said. “I had no idea there were so many shag clubs in this area. It’s very popular.”
Barbara Brooks of Weichert Realtors is the event’s Platinum Sponsor. She said she chose to sponsor the event because of the opportunity to support both chambers.
“I just thought it would be something fun and new and exciting,” Brooks said. “Because of the time of year, it should attract a good combination of locals and tourists. … My husband and I both love beach music!”
White encouraged festival-goers to bring lawn chairs and beach blankets, but said coolers, pets and glass containers are prohibited.
For more information on “Boomerang: Back to the Beach,” contact the SML Chamber of Commerce at 540.721.1203 or the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce at 540.586.9401. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and volunteers are needed to assist with various event activities.
Parkway Marina is located on Route 626, 3.5 miles past the entrance to Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
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Last Updated ( 15 May 2007 )
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