Local bands rock Eastport

Brenda Roche has lived in Annapolis for 30 years, but yesterday was the first time she attended Eastport-a-Rockin'.

It was nothing personal, it was just that she never thought about it, she said, with her living on the other side of the bridge and all. This time, she decided to check it out and was happy she did. She arrived shortly before noon and planned to stay until the all-day music festival ended at 8 p.m.

"It is awesome," Ms. Roche said. "It's a beautiful thing and I'm going to keep coming back."

This was the 12th year for the festival, which featured 28 local bands on three stages in the area of 2nd Street and Eastern Avenue. Tickets cost $15, with the proceeds going to the Annapolis Maritime Museum and the Anne Arundel County Crisis Response Center.

Since the festival began, it has given away nearly $200,000, organizers said.

About 3,100 music lovers came to hear tunes from bands like the Hypnotic Panties, Vin Fizz and the Pressing Strings. Aside from the bands, vendors lined the streets selling refreshments and gift items. The festival began at 11 a.m., but a line of people formed in front of the ticket booth at 10:30 a.m., just like they have often done in the past, organizers said.

Brigid Harrington and Dee Neonakis found a spot on the sidewalk near the 2nd Street stage. Ms. Harrington lives in Baltimore and has made sure to come to the event for the past seven years.

"The music is good and it's for a good cause," said Ms.

Harrington, who grew up in the Annapolis area. "I have a lot of friends in the local bands also."

Ms. Neonakis of Centreville came to the festival last year and decided to come again.

"I like that it's outside, I like the vendors, I like watching the people go by," Ms. Neonakis said.

She added that her only regret was that her 9-year-old dog couldn't travel with them.

"He's too old to hang out here," she said. "My dog has arthritis and I didn't want to stress him out."

Bob Waldman ate a shaved ice under a tree near the Barge House Lawn Stage as he waited for the next band to perform. This was his first time attending the festival.

"There's a good variety of music and everyone seems to be having fun," said Mr. Waldman of Annapolis. "Shade is at a premium. If I was selling shade, I'd clean up."

Organizer Patrick Oberman said he was pleased with the turnout. Last year, about 4,000 people attended throughout the day. It wasn't marketed as heavily this year to keep the crowd from growing too large, he said. Still, they had about 90 volunteers on staff to help with tickets and answer questions.

Eastport-a-Rockin' is not only a draw for the locals, Mr. Oberman said.

"People move to the area and call us (about the event)," Mr. Oberman said. "This is good for people who just moved into the area to get familiar with all of the people."

Shonika Proctor worked as volunteer coordinator yesterday, the same task she held for the past decade. By 4:30 p.m., she had the rest of the evening figured out.

"Around this time, everyone with kids will leave," Ms. Proctor said. "And they'll return again in about an hour, without their kids."