It was December 20, 1999. Hampton Coliseum became filled with a sea of wiggling people as the band Phish pumped out a rhythm sometimes funky, sometimes jazzy, sometimes bluesy, and always amazing. All ages were represented from baby to baby boomer, while spectrums of light danced with the music and showered the arena with sparkles, twinkles, and electric beaming rays. But before the melodious concerto began, the only sound was the chattering of fans. You see, the show started at 8:00 P.M., but anxious fans began pouring into the coliseum as soon as the doors opened at 6:00 P.M. You might think, two hours with nothing to do? Well....not exactly. You see, out in the circular hallway ringing the coliseum was another show of sorts. This show featured the Back Bay Restoration Foundation and the early arriving fans flocked to it.

BBRF volunteers, Jeffery Butts, Keith Economidis and Dawn Hogue along with Executive Director, Eve Estes split into teams of two and set up environmental education stations on each side of the arena. Each education station consisted of fact sheets on the foundation, tram tour information, volunteer sign up sheets, photograph laden displays, maps of Back Bay and two eager volunteers to explain and promote the Foundation. The interest was encouraging. Phish fans swarmed around the tables and we were constantly busy explaining the goals of the foundation and building support.

Set up adjacent to each of the BBRF tables were tables for Phish’s Waterwheel Foundation, our sponsor. The Waterwheel Foundation chose BBRF from a host of other non-profit organizations through a grant program. We were elated to have received the grant as it offered to us an opportunity to reach a national audience on an issue near and dear to a mostly local membership. The four BBRF volunteers educated Phish fans who had traveled to Hampton from places as far away as New Mexico, Vermont and Florida to see their favorite band. The fans were thrilled to hear that BBRF is working hard to preserve, protect and enhance the water quality at Back Bay and they let their pocket books send the message. The Water Wheel Foundation raised a substantial sum of money that night through the sale of merchandise and donations, with proceeds after costs going to the benefit of the Back Bay Restoration Foundation! When the Phish fans swim home, the Water Wheel Foundation will inform us of the final figures.