Freestyle Music Park upbeat in tough year Freestyle Music Park upbeat in tough year

The Sun News ^ | Jun. 24, 2009 | Mike Cherney

[Peter Horry]

Officials with Freestyle Music Park said Tuesday that attendance has been growing since the park reopened a month ago under a new name, but some industry observers say the park still faces considerable challenges.

John Stine, sales and marketing director for the park, said he is pleased so far with the attendance figures, though he did not give specifics. He said attendance was not lower than last year, when the park operated as Hard Rock Park, but declined to say anything further.

"Considering the fact that we announced our name in the second week of April, and literally five weeks later we opened our doors and we got everything in place, and how things are evolving, we're very pleased with how we're going forward," Stine said.

[Peter Horry]

The Hard Rock Park opened at the beginning of a very difficult economic period and appeared to be under funded from the beginning. Hope the new park is successful.

Freestyle should remember that Myrtle Beach is know for The Pavilion, Beach Music and The Shag, they should develop complementary themes (not try to duplicate them) that will build on what Myrtle Beach is known for and will be remembered just as fondly.