Music Fest.
The notion had popped into Lea's head as soon after they got out of the car. Lea felt that the venue of the Carolina Country Music Fest was alive, not because of the number of attendance nor the music that resonated even from afar but because of the smiles they were seeing on all faces that they passed by. It was something that gave her a chill despite having attended other music fests.
"It's Aunt Abby!" Mavis excitedly shouted.
"Welcome to CCMF," Abby coolly said.
"Wow!" Julie astonishingly remarked after gliding her glance on the venue.
"How many stages are there?" Shira curiously asked.
Abby and Enrico glanced at each other as if waiting to see if the other would answer the question.
"Two stages. The main stage is there." Enrico pointed at the stage setup at the boardwalk side of Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion. The Pavilion was a former amusement park, which was relatively close to another amusement park, Family Kingdom, where Lea and her friends enjoyed the many rides on their first day in Myrtle. The name, Burroughs and Chapin was actually from the company that built the pavilion and was one of the companies responsible for the development of the Myrtle Beach area. "The second stage is close to 501," Enrico added.
The Carolina Country Music Fest was held in a beautiful ocean side setting from the boardwalk to Ocean Boulevard of Myrtle Beach. The site boasted a Zip Line, two VIP areas, concessions areas; merchandise booths and other family-friendly booths. It became one of the many attractions and festivals that offered sense of country music and culture to the many tourists of Myrtle Beach.
"Has it already started?" Ryan curiously asked. "How about Eric Church?"
CCMF is a multi-day event which brings together some of the biggest names in country music just like national recording artist Eric Church and along with up and coming artists. It's also considered the largest in East coast. Since the first festival, the number of attendance has been increasing since more and more people outside Carolina, just like Lea and her friends, have been taking notice of the CCMF.
"No worries. It's just some up and coming artists yet," Enrico confidently assured them.
Julie and the rest started teasing Ryan. He had looked forward to this music fest since their arrival in Myrtle. It would surely be hell on earth if he would miss the chance to see Eric Church. Ryan has been dogging Eric Church's concert tour schedules for a while and had already missed a chance back in Los Angeles due to an emergency where he had no choice but to give up on it.
This time, though, Ryan wouldn't allow anything nor anyone who would make him miss his chance of seeing Eric Church up close. Now that he's within reach, his heart was pounding rapidly. He simply couldn't contain his excitement while just thinking about it.
As the rest of the group was still teasing Ryan, Abby was fixated on how lovely Lea was. "You look great," she complemented.
"Thanks."
"Aunt Abby, Aunt Abby, where's dad?" Mavis asked while still holding on to Lea's hand.
"He's at the VIP area near the main stage with Al and Ricky," she answered.
"Could we go as well at the VIP area and see them?" Ryan inquired.
"Of course! You have the IDs right?" Enrico asked. He was talking about the VIP IDs that Julie got at the front desk of the hotel as Landon offered it to them.
"Are they the ones you really want to see?" Shira teasingly looked at Ryan.
Instead of answering her, Ryan turned his attention back to Enrico and Abby. "What are those for?" he curiously asked, pointing at the wristbands on them.
"That's wristband," Mavis interruptedly answered.
All of them smiled hearing Mavis' answer. It was one of the moments you would surely love Mavis more. He may not accurately answer Ryan's question but anyone would be amazed by his social skills.
"That's correct. It's a wristband." Abby confirmed, boosting Mavis' confidence more. "They're RFI... something."
"It's RFID wristband. It's something the committee thought of. Instead of ticket, the wristband would be the access way of people to join the event. Moreover, it's also a method for people to buy stuff at the different booths since it's connected to your credit card," Enrico added.
"Cool!" Sam remarked.
"Where can we get one?" Julie excitedly inquired.
"You don't need one since you already have the VIP IDs," Abby explained.
"Do they accept cash?" Shira asked.
Abby and Enrico glanced each as if looking for the answer to Shira' question. "Well, I think they do," Abby hesitantly answered.
"I want one. Can we get one?" Julie pleaded to Sam who was glancing at the others to see their reactions.
Knowing Julie, Lea knelt on one knee and smiled at Mavis. "Is it okay if we get a wristband first for Julie before seeing your dad?" she calmly asked.
Mavis simply nodded.
"Happy now?" Maggie sarcastically asked Julie.
After some minutes of processing a wristband for Julie and inquiring about cash payment, they went straight to the VIP area. From a distance, Lea could vividly see how smooth the kitchen was. She was impressed the way Landon lead the personnel. He was in command but there wasn't an aura of arrogance. He was simply a master chef. Even from afar, she could see the traces of the elite chef he once had been, noting the graceful, fluid way he owned the kitchen and the easy way he smiled, as if long accustomed to both pressure and success.
The more Lea stared at Landon, the more she realized that he was the kind of man who tried to exhaust the best in people, the kind of man who don't like to complain. She couldn't resist her admiration for him.
Seeing them, Landon waved at them and pointed at the rest area near the kitchen. Ricky and Alfonso were actually waiting for them at the tent. They have actually offered their service to Landon but he humbly declined them, as he wanted to see the development of his kitchen staff.
It didn't take Landon long to sprinkle some of his magical touches on the plated courses which would be served to the committee members, some VIPs and artists. As everything seemed to be going well, he asked Andy, his sous chef, to take charge of the rest.
Before he could enter their tent, Mr. McMillan interrupted him. "Mr. Bolton, good timing." Mr. McMillan smiled contemptuously. "Thank you again for gracing the artists with your courses."
Mr. McMillan is one of the committee heads of the CCMF. He's also a member of the South Carolina Board of Commerce, which managed the South Carolina Hall of Fame museum, other events like the CCMF and other ventures in the region.
Enrico and the rest of Landon's friends secretly call Mr. McMillan, the Humpty Dumpty of CCMF; due to his shaved shiny head matched with his stomach so big he looked as if he might topple over at any moment. On the other hand, Mavis called him Papa Smurf as he had a bushy white mustache and beard just like the elder smurf in the movie. Moreover, he's easily distinguishable with his gold suspender, which he proudly parades whenever he meets a stranger.
"Would it be alright if I would introduce you to some of the artists? They really wanted to meet the great chef Bolton."
Landon hesitated for a moment. He's not the type of a chef who wanted attention. He left such world when he left Manhattan and permanently stayed in Myrtle. It just wasn't his style being surrounded by stars and celebrities.
"Is it possible for my friends to tag along?" Landon inquired.
"Sure! No problem!"
"Can you wait for a second then?" Landon entered the tent and gladly informed them about the meet and greet with some of the artists. All of them got excited especially Ryan who literally jumped from his chair and started walking out smiling. He didn't want waste any time. It could be Eric Church whom they would be seeing.
One by one they entered the resting area of artists. They got to meet the likes of Rodney Atkins, Kelly Pickler, Sam Hunt and Cole Swindell. However, Eric Church was nowhere to be found in the resting area.
As Mr. McMillan was introducing Landon, Ryan was anxiously curious where his favorite artist was. He whispery asked Abby and Enrico but they couldn't give him any answer. When the pleasantry was done, he boldly asked them about Eric Church. "Excuse me, is Mr. Eric Church supposed to be here as well?"
Before any of the committee members and artists could answer Ryan's question, a group of people entered the resting area. They heard a voice, "I heard someone's calling my name." It was Eric Church and his team.
"Oh my god! It's Eric Church!" Ryan pointed at him.
"The one and only." Eric Church smiled at them.
"Good timing. Mr. Church, this is Chef Bolton and some of his friends," Mr. McMillan introduced.
"It's nice to see you again Mr. Bolton. How long has it been? Five years?"
"It's good to see you too Mr. Church." Landon smiled back.
"Hold on. You know each other?" Julie confusedly asked.
"It's a long story," Landon said.
"Oh I'm sure it is," Julie sarcastically said, as she still couldn't believe Landon never mentioned to them about his tie with Eric Church.
"Julie!" Lea reprimanded her.
"What? I'm just saying the obvious."
"Actually, I met Mr. Bolton when he did our wedding cake. My wife--"
"Katherine," Ryan interrupted.
"Yes, my wife Katherine insisted that our wedding cake should be made by a renowned chef named Landon Bolton and she was right." Eric beamed. "I also sang on your wedding right? How's Mrs. Bolton by the way?"
When Eric saw the news that Landon was getting married, he made sure that he would return the favor by serenading them on their wedding. Landon and Theresa didn't know about it. Eric's manager has secretly coordinated with Abby who helped the bride and groom organized their big day. It was such a hit that the surprise appearance of Eric Church became the topic within both South and North Carolina.
Instead of answering, Landon introduced Mavis who was still holding hands with Lea. "That's my boy, Mavis." Landon pointed at him.
"What do you know? He got your eyes." Eric then noticed Lea who was holding Mavis' hand. "Well hello Mrs. Bolton," he greeted at Lea. Yet Eric suddenly moved a step back when he realized that he made a mistake. He then quickly apologized.
"I'm sorry! I thought you were Mrs. Bolton."
Lea just smiled at him while her friends were holding back their laughter.
Seeing the awkwardness that Lea was into, Landon said, "I think the cuisines are ready. Should we go now before it gets cold?"