Times change. I remember in the 1980's and 1990's the Hawaiian Tropic Suntan Oil folks would pass through Harrisonburg looking for a venue (bar, restaurant, etc.) to host the Hawaiian Tropic women who traveled with them and locals for a "pageant" to see who would go onto the state event in Virginia Beach later in the year. Working in radio, I helped host those for several years.
The memory is foggy but the last events I remember were hosted at what was Spanky's across from the Water Street Parking Deck in Harrisonburg. We may have also been a Finnagan's Cove too but I remember more about the events at Spanky's. Typically held on the back deck facing the walk way to Court Square so people could stand and watch from the parking area next to what was Denton's (it may have closed by then) and on the walkway too. Not much to remember other than I think we had fun?
How did Hawaiian Tropic get started?
Ron Rice, an Asheville, NC, native who grew up dirt poor but went on to rub elbows with the rich and famous after creating Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen, has died. He was 81. His first batch of the oil was created in a trashcan in his garage in the late 1960's. From there it was no were but up. Read more HERE