Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker played the last concert at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa, one year ago this weekend.
I didn”t know what to expect when I pulled up between the palm trees. I”ve been there countless times, but not since it closed.
It is my favorite concert venue, anywhere, hands-down.
The gates were closed, but a familiar face greeted me to let me in. Don Heatherly, daytime security supervisor smiled and said, “Hey Mandy, long time, no see, huh?”
I followed him down to the main building, first noting the signs from the last events near the Konocti Field Amphitheater.
The place looked great. Admittedly it was eerie to see the grounds empty, but the landscape was manicured and everything appeared to be in order. I thought it would be simple to picture a fast-forward, as if it were a movie, to people walking around in casual clothing, straw cowboy hats or swim suits, laughing and creating memories and the parking lots, once again filled with cars, trucks, limousines and boats.
For the first time ever, I parked right in front of the water fountain.
I met with President and General Manager, Greg Bennett.
I asked him about the anniversary of the closing. He said, “I think we all probably shake our heads at least a couple of times a day. I don”t think anybody thought we”d be closed for a year.”
Bennett and about 20 others remain at Konocti to care for, maintain and show the property.
He said people call and the overwhelming sentiment about the closure is one of sadness. He said some sound genuinely heartbroken and express that a piece of their lives and memories are gone.
There are people who told Bennett they bought their homes in Lake County because of Konocti.
For more than 20 years the place grew and grew and each weekend seemed to carry a bigger wow factor, year after year.
More than 100,000 people from out of the area had Star Cards for discounts at the resort.
Bennett said it was a great source of pride for the county and that Konocti had a great relationship with the county.
“The plumbers are the good guys who bought this property and ran it for 50 years. For my 20 years, they kept it open year-round. Local 38 needs some ?atta-boys,” 50 years is a long time. Sometimes people forget that,” Bennett said.
As far as the sale of the place is concerned, he said there is still significant interest and many phone calls, but that is where it”s at for now.
It”s still a bit wild on the grounds. As I was talking to Bennett in his office, a deer trotted by. Families, herds of deer have made the resort their home. There is a Jurassic Park aura.
The backstage area of the amphitheater housed another family of deer, acting much like the bands that occupied the space in the past, scurrying away from the paparazzi, me.
One small memento glistened in the sun, way up in the bleachers. It was a little girls, green, plastic glitter hair band.
As I stared at the empty stage, I thought if I closed my eyes I could hear Terry Montgomery announcing as he has for every show for 20 years. He had a way of making everyone feel like a star, right down to the housekeeping staff. He”s a real class act.
There are an awful lot of memories spread out on that 100 acres or so; memories with stories that have been told all over the world.
I”ve seen newlyweds at shows, people celebrating birthdays and many taking family trips.
The financial loss to the county since Konocti closed has cut deeply and the ripple is felt by most businesses and many families.
The wonderful founder of Operation Tango Mike, Ginny Craven, a self-proclaimed “Parrothead,” had the idea that Jimmy Buffett ought to purchase the place. “He loves seaplanes,” she said. “What better place would there be for a Margaritaville.”
Ginny is always full of great ideas.
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee managing editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 Ext. 32.
