
DATE: Friday, October 17, 1997              TAG: 9710150126

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 08   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   59 lines

HOMERAMA DRAWING BIG CROWDS, HEADING INTO ITS FINAL WEEKEND

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: Graphic

WANT TO GO?

What: 16th annual Homearama, sponsored by the Tidewater Builders

Association

When: Through Sunday

Hours: Today, noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.;

Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Where: Goose Creek Estates in Western Branch. Parking and shuttle

transportation free, off Dock Landing Road, near Interstate 664.

How much: Adults, $7; children 12 and younger, free. $1 discount

for senior citizens and active-duty military with ID. Two-visit

passes for $11.

Information: 420-2434