THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610040210
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: AROUND TOWN
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 65 lines
The U.S. Navy wants to take some Chesapeake citizens on a sea cruise.
As part of Fleet Week Hampton Roads '96, a regional celebration of the Navy's 201st birthday and its contributions to the region, the Navy has given the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department 130 tickets for a daylong sea-orientation cruise on a naval vessel.
The tickets will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis to any Chesapeake citizen who wants a pair.
And the best part? They're free.
An equal number of these cruise tickets have been given to Hampton Roads cities as the Navy's way to offer to about 1,200 civilians a rare up-close look at a Navy ship at sea.
``The tickets were delivered by the Navy to Mayor (William E.) Ward,'' said Gail McClure Bradshaw, coordinator of the Parks and Recreation Department's Special Programs office. ``Mayor Ward then handed them over to us so we could get them to as many Chesapeake citizens as possible, in as fair a way as possible.''
To achieve that end, Bradsdhaw said her office will make them available to the public Monday. No tickets will be available today.
City residents have to pick them up in person at the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department's administrative offices on Mann Drive. No phone reservations will be accepted or taken.
Only two tickets will be available at the office to each individual from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays while they last.
``We can only give out two per person, that way we avoid any large groups coming in and claiming a large number,'' Bradshaw said. ``We feel this the the fairest way to make them available to a large number of Chesapeake citizens.''
The free sea cruises will take place Tuesday on one of five U.S. Navy vessels stationed at the Norfolk Naval Base: USS Kearsarge, USS Trenton, USS Thomas S. Gates, USS Barry and the USS Merrimack. Individuals should be on board at 6:30 a.m., the ship will sail at 8 a.m. and passengers will finally debark at 6 p.m.
All guests must be at least 8 years old and in good physical condition. Those younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Although the cruise is free, guests should plan to bring money for meals, snacks and souvenirs. The cost for breakfast, lunch and a snack will cost about $10 per person.
``Each ticket will also have instructions and tips on the back for passengers, like suggestions on what to wear and things like that,'' Bradshaw said. ``This should be a great way to see exactly what goes on on a Navy ship while at sea. It's a rare opportunity.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
What: Free tickets for a day-long cruise on a Navy ship.
Where: Tickets can only be obtained in person at the Chesapeake
Parks and Recreation Department's administrative office, 112 Mann
Drive.
When: Tickets will be available while they last on a first-come,
first-served basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday only. The cruise
takes place Tuesday from 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Cost: The cruise is free but guests are advised to bring money
for meals, snacks or souvenirs. Meals and snacks will cost about $10
per person.
Call: For more information only (no tickets will be reserved over
the phone), call 382-6411. by CNB