Uncooperative weather plays havoc with festival

While the Sternwheel Regatta ended much the same way it began damp and rainy organizers already were looking at ways to revamp nextyears festival to prevent the reoccurrence of problems that popped upthis year. The rain ended long enough Sunday evening for a grandfinale finish complete with a performance by the West VirginiaSymphony and the traditional fireworks display. But the hot, humidair left at least a few thousand spectators at Haddad Riverfront Parkstruggling to see the display, partially shielded by a thick cloud ofsmoke that hung in the air. Even when it wasnt raining, an overcastsky kept Kanawha Boulevard less that crowded for much of the weekend.The weather wasnt with us, and my revenues are going to suffer,Regatta Director Sharon King said Sunday. King said beer sales thisweek were minimal and food sales, though better than expected duringlunchtime concerts, werent up to par. Regatta organizers still neededto raise about $50,000 from concessions to keep the festival budgetin the black, and a whole pack of vendors, many from nonprofitcharities, also rely on Regatta revenue to help keep programsrunning. The recent rain also muddied the ground at Magic Island,where carnival operators couldnt even open rides the first day of thefestival. King said next years event might include moving MagicIsland activities with the exception of the Rubber Ducky Derby andthe Night Glow balloon show higher up on the Boulevard. Regattaorganizers already have met four times to discuss the organization ofnext years festival. Debate already has begun over whether to keepthe schedule the same. Were looking at if Thursday is even a viableday to keep running, King said. Moving the festival away from LaborDay weekend isnt a good option, she said, but the date keeps Regattain conflict with other sternwheeler festivals around the state.Upcoming events at Point Pleasant and Marietta, Ohio, caused aconflict for some boaters who traditionally attend Regatta, Regattariver organizer Spunky Thaxton said. Only about five or sixsternwheelers showed up this year, compared to 15 that docked lastyear. Several smaller private boats were actually told they couldntdock at Haddad this year because organizers still anticipated abigger turnout of sternwheelers. At least one large private boatpitched in to serve as a dock for some smaller vessels that hadtraveled a ways to come to Regatta, but organizers plan to workharder to accommodate those boats next year, King said. We have to doour homework, she said. We are never able to promise somebody theycan dock, but if we just arent going to have the sternwheelers, weneed to be able to accommodate as many of the (smaller boats) aspossible. Organizers also are looking for a better way to marketRegatta to tourists outside the Charleston area. Trying to packagethe festival with similar events, like South Charlestons summer eventor the Smoke on the Water Chili Cook-Off, could be options, Kingsaid. Revenue tallies and crowd estimates for this years festival areexpected to be complete later this week. No Regatta-related securityproblems or injuries were reported as of Sunday night, but Florida-based entertainer John Anderson, best known for his 1983 hit Swingin,suffered a heart attack prior to his scheduled Saturday nightconcert. Anderson, 48, had a heart attack in a Charleston hotelSaturday afternoon and was taken to Charleston Area Medical Center,where he underwent surgery. He remained in the hospital Sundayevening, and information on his condition was unavailable thismorning. The Associated Press also contributed to this story. WriterKris Wise can be reached at 348-1244 or by e-mail atkriswise@dailymail.com. 30