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Thousands hit Salisbury Beach for arts, watercrafts and sun
SALISBURY BEACH — Volleyballs zoomed and kites soared as musicians jammed on the beachfront stage and jet-skis roared across the sea, their riders hellbent on crossing the finish line first
“The beach is packed, boys, put on a show,” the announcer called to competitors in one heat of the Toyota/Sea Doo Regional Championship races taking place at the beach this weekend.
It was the first day of Salisbury’s first Sand and Sea Festival and, from the looks on the faces of the thousands there, the day was an unqualified success.
Moms pushed baby strollers, toddlers rode on their dad’s shoulders, grandparents wiped ice cream off the happy little faces and couples strolled hand-in-hand enjoying the beach and the day’s activities.
“It’s a nice family crowd, and it’s looking good,” said Salisbury police Sgt. Chuck Scione, who estimated there were 50 percent more people along Broadway than on a typical summer Saturday.
And everyone — absolutely everyone — was eating.
“It’s nice to see the beach cleaned up and people here like this,” said Kerry Bagley, who came with her husband, Dave, and their 2-year-old from neighboring Seabrook. “It’s wonderful; we had a great time.”
Dave Bagley works for SPS New England of Salisbury, a heavy construction firm whose owner, Wayne Capolupo, is a major force behind the festival.
The festival is the first production of the Salisbury Boardwalk Partnership, a nonprofit group intent on breathing new life into Salisbury Beach Center. Capolupo is president of the organization whose members are invested in Salisbury Beach in a number of ways and are trying to bring families back.
“This is excellent for the beach,” said Carina Pappalardi, a Methuen resident who came with her husband and three children. “They need to do things like this more often.”
Pappalardi’s dad, Frank LaScola, was smiling.
“This brings back memories of the old days at Salisbury Beach,” LaScola said. “The only thing that’s missing is the old-time rides.”
New Yorker Vincent DeVito drove five hours to race in the Toyota/Sea Doo series, arriving with his daughter Friday night.
“I like it here very much, and I’d definitely come back,” DeVito said. “The people everywhere here are really nice.”
Claire and Walter Dabrowski of Hudson, N.H., came to watch Claire’s brother Mike Desmaris race. “We’ve come to Salisbury Beach a hundred times over the years,” Walter Dabrowski said. “But this is a big boost for Salisbury. We haven’t seen it this busy in about 20 years.”
Ed Hunt, a Salisbury selectman and beach center seafood-stand owner, had proof Dabrowski was right.
“It was just the best morning,” he said squeezing a few minutes away from cooking. “I haven’t seen business sustain itself throughout the day like this in a long time, and it seems to be filling up throughout the afternoon. This is beautiful. Look at all the families.”
I’ve been to the meetings for this; the planning that went into it boggles the mind, and they’re talking about this growing to be a week-long event in the future.”
Capolupo, on Broadway yesterday to oversee the event, said 50 to 70 volunteers “came out of the woodwork” to help make it work.
Capolupo said the partnership has $100,000 in pledges and, with another $20,000 to be earned through the concessions, enough to cover expenses. Plans are already being made for next year’s festival, he said.
Eagle-Tribune
Published: July 01, 2007
By Angeljean Chiaramida
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