The

Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater had its most successful

season ever in 1999, according to reports at this week's

meeting of the Development Authority's Amphitheater

Committee.

Thanks to

sponsorships totalling $134,500 and more than 45,000 in

attendance for the summer, the 2,200-seat venue was able

to increase its overall entertainment budget by 40

percent. This allowed the amphitheater to secure many

top-flight acts for the Summer Concert Series.

To

accommodate a waiting list that contained some 580 names,

a second night was added to each weekend performance,

giving patrons the choice of attending Friday night or

Saturday night. Attendance for the summer was at 87

percent of capacity with two nights of shows for each

performer.

Three acts

- Gordon Lightfoot, Grand Funk Railroad and K.C. and

the Sunshine Band - each sold out their Friday night

shows this summer.

The 1999

sponsorship program was the most successful in the

amphitheater's history, according to reports. In addition

to $95,000 in cash, sponsors contributed $38,500 in

merchandise through various trade agreements this season.

Many of

these sponsors provided giveaways for patrons at shows

throughout the year, with such prizes as sport water

bottles, a computer, golf outings, cell phones, gift

certificates, a hot water heater, barbecue grills,

magnets, stress balls, beach tote bags, coolers, picnic

baskets, tennis lessons, brunches/dinners for two, use of

a golf cart for a weekend, sports/entertainment tickets,

and a weekend getaway.

Amphitheater

representatives reported the highest satisfaction levels

ever from this year's annual survey. Patrons also select

possible acts for next year through the survey, and the

results of that should available in another month or so.

A number of

features have been added or improved this year, such as a

new light board, back truss lighting, stage wings, rain

shelter globes and turnstiles, while the entrance was

enhanced with shrubs and bushes and some old fencing was

eliminated.

The

Amphitheater is currently considering expansion plans for

the concession areas and ticket windows, as plans for

those were reviewed at Monday's meeting.