Three Dog Night band made a comeback to The Dome 32 years after it became the last band to play at the former Dome.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Dome opened its doors for its first concert since rebuilding this Sunday.
A long line of eager fans wrapped around The Dome for the first opening act, Three Dog Night Band.
Three Dog Night last took the Dome stage in 1993. Thirty-two years later, the band is back, and several fans tell 13News Now the wait has been worth it.
Now that the Dome is back, officials say more security measures are being put in place across the entire oceanfront.
This included traffic detours for smooth traffic flow. There will be several security personnel on site at the Dome. A crew member tells us there was one security guard for every 250 people in attendance Sunday night.
Virginia Beach police officers will also be patrolling the area during events.
Sunday night’s concert is a full-circle moment for local rock fans as Three Dog Night took the stage. Locals said Sunday’s concert is like a blast from the past.
“I was probably in ninth grade, and I grew up in Las Vegas, and they had Three Dog Night appearing at what was called the Ice House. It was my very first concert my parents let me go to and it was fun,” said Mindy Simpson.
“I went to the old Dome many, many, many years ago when I was a teenager,” said longtime resident Jay Elvin Dashiell. “But I never got to see Three Dog Night at the Dome.”
For others, the Dome opening up once more is a long time coming.
“I moved here in ’93 and heard great stories about it. Never went, because it was closed and I got to see it today,” said Gerry Morin.
And for others, Sunday’s concert is a chance to grow the Three Dog Night fan base.
“He lives in Charlottesville, listened to them on the way home and became a big fan. He said if you go, we want to go. So here we are,” said Mildred McManus, who gifted her grandson, Jack, concert tickets for his birthday.
Several concertgoers told 13News Now they are excited Three Dog Night and the Dome is back, and even more excited for the future of the new Dome in Virginia Beach.
Three Dog Night kicked off entertainment acts Sunday night. The Dome has over 30 national acts booked up until October. For more information, visit thedomevb.com.
