'80s IN THE PARK 2014: Day III (Sunday / Sept. 28th)

'80s IN THE PARK

- Day III -

9.28.14 / Wickham Park / Melbourne, FL

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Welcome to the final edition 
of my '80s IN THE PARK

series — a concert event of 
such epic proportion that it's

taken a three-part mega 
series just to scratch the 
neon-colored surface.

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Get "Back to the Future" at '80s IN THE PARK.

Simply put, '80s IN THE PARK is a three-day celebration of everything '80s. Transporting fans of all ages back through time in a swirl of sight and sound —  iconic movie / TV themes, legendary bands and more, the event will offer something for everyone. Timeless music of the decade will fill the air while the ever-faithful play such vintage arcade games as Ms. Pac-Man and Space Invaders — or maybe even help Mario in his fight for survival in  the classic Nintendo game contest. Impeccable tribute bands, along with "'80s Ambassador" DJ K.W. will keep the party revving on all cylinders throughout the weekend. Dance with '80s look-alikes, shop for T-shirts, hats, handmade jewelry and memorabilia at one of over 40 vendors. Then, when the sun goes down, sit under the stars and enjoy a variety of foods from some of Brevard County's finest restaurants while taking in non-stop, high-energy concert performances from an array of "golden era" MTV artists, live on the '80s IN THE PARK main stage.

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'80s IN THE PARK 2014:
Costumes, contests, concerts and more!

FROM THE BOSS...

This year's event will run from noon to 10PM each day. In addition to 20+ live bands, we will have TV and movie cars — the Delorean time machine from Back to the Future, the General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard and KITT from Knight Rider, along with Marty McFly and Doc Brown look-alikes for pictures.

In the Pavilion we will have comics, collectibles and a flashback arcade with retro NES and Atari decks. It's also home to our '80s DJ, '80s Karaoke contests and '80s costume contests all weekend long. Wayfarers and Ray-Bans will be available in the next tent, along with video and photo booths to make sure you have a record of your time travel experience.

In 2014, we've made the concert area bigger and added more color and décor from the '80s. We really want the ticket holders to feel like they have gone back in time — as much as they can while holding a smartphone! Also, this year's event will have over eight 8' Rubik's Cube box offices and ticketing booths along with other large '80s pop culture displays.

-Richard Hendry 
('80s IN THE PARK co-founder)

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LIVE ONSTAGE

Three action-packed days — more than two dozen incredible live acts — performing each day from start to finish on the newly expanded '80s IN THE PARK main stage. And although it was no easy feat, those Hendry fellas just might have topped last year's all-star concert line-up. Here's what's on-tap for fans on Sunday...

Former Bad Company frontman Brian Howe

BRIAN HOWE

In the mid '80s, singer / songwriter Brian Howe joined forces with drummer Simon Kirke and guitarist Mick Ralphs to complete the re-vamped Bad Company line-up. Together, they wrote, recorded and toured for the next decade — headlining every major venue around the globe. Along the way, the band scored such radio and video hits as "Holy Water," "If You Needed Somebody," "No Smoke Without A Fire," and "How About That." The '80s IN THE PARK audience can expect to hear Howe performing all of Bad Company's hit songs, including such classics as "Can't Get Enough," "Bad Company," "Ready For Love," and many others. (BRIAN HOWE ON FACEBOOK)

Former Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy

STEPHEN PEARCY

The look — iconic. The voice — unmistakable. The songs — timeless. As the frontman for Ratt, Stephen Pearcy defined "arena rock" with such platinum-selling radio and MTV staples as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "You're in Love," "Lay it Down," "Way Cool Jr." and "Lovin' You's a Dirty Job." In 2014, he's "back for more," and headed straight for Melbourne's Wickham Park! (STEPHEN PEARCY ON FACEBOOK)

JOHN WAITE

With a career that spans nearly 40 years, John Waite is a bona fide superstar. He first was picked up on rock's radar as the frontman for The Babys — scoring an impressive string of hit records during the mid to late '70s, including "Isn't it Time," "Every Time I Think of You," "Midnight Rendezvous," "Turn and Walk Away" and "Back on My Feet Again." As a solo artist during the early '80s, he achieved further chart success with "Change" and the #1 hit "Missing You." With the late '80s / early '90s supergroup, Bad English, Waite enjoyed a platinum-selling album and two Top Five singles ("When I See You Smile" #1 and "Price of Love" #5). This year, he returns to Melbourne as one of the marquee '80s IN THE PARK headliners. (JOHN WAITE WEBSITE)

THE PAT TRAVERS BAND

"Heat in the Street," "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)," "Snortin' Whiskey" — when it comes to iconic rock tracks, Pat Travers' list of classic hits is impeccable. From the late '70s through the early '80s he also achieved chart-busting success with such albums as Live! Go for What You Know, Crash and Burn and Radioactive. His unique brand of high-octane, guitar-driven, rockin' blues has made Pat Travers a legend — and be sure, '80s IN THE PARK peeps will be in for a treat when Travers and company take the stage on Sunday. (THE PAT TRAVERS BAND ON FACEBOOK)

Burning Starr

JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR

Burning Starr is an American Power Metal band formed in 1985 by ex-Virgin Steele guitarist, Jack Starr. After releasing four classics in the '80s, the band returned in 2008 with a new line-up featuring Starr, Ned Meloni (bass, ex-Joe Lynn Turner Band), Kenny Rhino Earl (drums, ex-Manowar) and vocalist Todd Michael Hall. Burning Starr released its comeback record, Defiance in 2009. 

"The '80s was a great time for 
music and there was tremendous 
energy and honesty. And we 
in Burning Starr were happy 
to be part of that generation
and we're gratified that this 
music has earned a place
in the hearts of music lovers 
in the past as well as now."
-Jack Starr

The band's latest studio album, Land Of The Dead, was released by Limb Music and has received positive reviews in such international magazines as Metal Hammer and Rock Hard. Burning Starr is currently working on a new studio album entitled Stand Your Ground — scheduled for release in late 2014 / early 2015. (BURNING STARR WEBSITE)

John Corabi

JOHN CORABI

Veteran singer / songwriter John Corabi possesses a platinum pedigree. From his early days as a founding member of The Scream to his tenure with Mötley Crüe and Ratt to such all-star projects as Union, ESP and Brides of Destruction, he's enjoyed a more colorful career than probably any artist at this year's festival. Entitled, Unplugged, Corabi's latest record is a solo acoustic collection of his "A-List" material. (JOHN CORABI WEBSITE)

Kenny McGee

KENNY McGEE

The Florida-based singer / songwriter and Juliette co-founder kicks off Sunday's main stage festivities at '80s IN THE PARK. (KENNY McGEE WEBSITE)

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MEET THE FESTIVAL FOUNDERS...

Richard Hendry is the owner of Brevard Farmers Markets in Brevard County, Florida. He's also the operation manager of Nature's Market Health Foods, Brevard's largest Health Food Supermarket. Richard is a published author, former local talk radio host, magazine publisher and natural health consultant. He lives in Melbourne, Florida with his wife Lucy (of Lucy's in the Kitchen) and their four children, two dogs, two cats and an imaginary dragon named Bob. 

Kyle and Richard Hendry

Kyle Hendry, founder and co-owner of '80s IN THE PARK, is operation manager of Brevard Farmers Markets, marketing director of Nature's Market Health Foods and co-founder and promoter of The Dragon Festival, Brevard's first renaissance fair. Kyle started his first business (KidsKard) with his brother when he was 12 years old and has worked in restaurant management, advertising sales and promotions. Kyle lives in Melbourne, Florida with his wife Lindsey and their chocolate lab Bruno (which, as it turns out, is not made out of chocolate at all). 

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"It was great — we saw 
Slaughter AND Molly Hatchet!"

-"Fun" Bobby (Palm Bay, FL / 2013)

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And there you have it, music fans — my behind-the-scenes look at '80s IN THE PARK 2014. I hope you've enjoyed perusing this three-part series as much as I enjoyed putting it all together. SEE YA AT THE SHOW! (OFFICIAL '80s IN THE PARK WEBSITE)

-Christopher Long
(July 2014)

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CHECK OUT MY ENTIRE 
'80s IN THE PARK SERIES:

Day I

Day II

Day III

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