LAKE COUNTY ? Natomas newlyweds celebrated their wedding night Saturday at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa, but the couple may not be able to return for their one year anniversary, or any other, if the concert venue closes as scheduled Nov. 11.
Gena and Kent Clifton sang and swayed to Rascal Flatts still dressed for their wedding, the bride in a white dress with a beaded bust and the groom in a black tuxedo. It was their first and possibly last concert at the outdoor Lake County venue.
“I”d love to come back here,” Kent Clifton said.
Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker played the venue”s last scheduled outdoor amphitheater shows Saturday and Sunday nights. The Lost Boys, 21 Grams and Latigo will play a Halloween costume show Oct. 31 indoors at the Waterfront Night Club.
The owner of Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa, Local 38, the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Journeymen, announced the resorts” closure Sept. 8.
In 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor filed a lawsuit against Local 38 alleging that trustees violated federal law by diverting more than $36 million from retirement, health, scholarship, apprenticeship and vacation/holiday funds to renovate and operate Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa. Local 38 settled a lawsuit in 2007, saying the union will repay trust funds with the sale of the resort.
General Manager Greg Bennett and concert staff declined to comment on the venue”s possible closure.
Kelli Opperman of El Dorado said she likes coming to Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa because “everywhere you sit is a good seat.”
“I”m devastated to see this place close, the views, the land, is amazing,” Opperman said. “They need to update their rooms. But this feels like home.”
Pete Van Hattem of Kelseyville has come to about 10 concerts a year for seven years and can hear the shows from his house, he said.
“I live about five minutes, 10 minutes away and I kind of have my own iPod and it”s live,” Van Hattem said.
He likes that it”s a small venue with good energy and great people, Van Hattem said wearing a hunting jacket, jeans and cowboy boots.
“It”s just like a big night club,” Van Hattem said.
Gary Holden moved to Kelseyville and bought a house four minutes from the venue because he enjoys the shows so much, of which he”s seen dozens, he said.
“I”m not a country fan but I love this,” Holden said about Rascal Flatts.
Holden said he”s sad he may have to drive to Santa Rosa for concerts.
“I”m going to continue with life, but I hope they open back up in spring because this place is important to Lake County,” Holden said. “There is no way this place can go down. It has to stay open.”
To see photos from this event go to A16.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
