New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys take over Hersheypark Stadium

Enlarge Daniel Zampogna NKOTBSB live onstage at Hersheypark Stadium Saturday night. Daniel Zampogna, THE PATRIOT NEWS

Giddiness was written all over the face of 9-year-old Emmalyn Smith of Carlisle. There was only one name on her lips: Joey McIntyre, the New Kids on the Block heartthrob. Smith is a fan of mega proportions.

New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys performed at Hersheypark Stadium on Saturday evening. Fans filled the stadium, coming from as far as London, Ontario, to relive childhood memories or, as in Emmalyn’s case, to make new ones.

Emmalyn knows the lyrics to “Please Don’t Go Girl” and can be seen singing along on a video uploaded to YouTube by 28-year-old Stephanie Ickes of Carlisle. Ickes is one of the reasons behind Emmalyn’s love of the boy band. The other is Ickes’ close friend, 27-year-old Amanda Curry of York.

Daniel Zampogna, The Patriot-NewsNKOTBSB take the stage at Hersheypark Stadium on Saturday night.

“I’ve been a fan of New Kids on the Block for 22 years,” Ickes said.

This is the first time Ickes has seen New Kids on the Block, despite her and Curry’s best efforts.

“Amanda and I were up two hours straight trying to win tickets last time they were here,” she said.

The band is a source of fond childhood memories. Ickes remembers doing the group’s dances in front of the television.

Ashley Santana, 26, of Myerstown, has been a boy band fan since she was five and discovered New Kids. “I had my room plastered like wallpaper with their photos,” she said.

Attending the concert was a way for fans to relive those childhood memories. “It sounds cheesy, but the music brings back really good memories,” said Darcy Hutchins, 31, of Baltimore, Md. She and her high school best friend, Monica Bird, 32, from Chicago made the trek to Hershey just for the concert.

Kirsty Milner, 32, has Hutchins and Bird beat for distance traveled. The London, Ontario, resident has been following the band across the Americas. Hershey is the fourth New Kids on the Block concert she has attended.

Daniel Zampogna, The Patriot-NewsJenny Alger, left, and Ashley Santana wait outside the stadium before the concert. Santana, 26, has been a fan of boy bands since she was 5. "I had my room plastered like wallpaper with their photos," she said.

“I’ve been to more places in three years than the rest of my life because of New Kids on the Block,” she said. “I’ve made really excellent friends because of these boys.”

Milner was not calling it quits at Hershey. She has two more concerts in store for the summer.

Backstreet Boys had their share of fans as well. Mother-daughter team Marlane Scheetz, 56, and Katie Scheetz, 26, of Allentown, are diehard BSB fans.

“We’ve been fans since the beginning,” Katie said.

The music with its catchy beats and sweet lyrics makes the two swoon.

“Even an old lady like me,” Marlane said.

What is the best thing about BSB in their opinion?

“Their looks!” said Katie, laughing. “Their showmanship, too,” Marlane added.

“They’re one of the most successful boy bands in history,” Marlane said.

Andrew Howe, 23, of New Cumberland, agreed. “They really paved the way for other boy bands to follow,” he said. Howe became a fan when he was around eight, and his mother bought their CDs. While unfamiliar with the New Kids on the Block, he appreciates the two bands joining forces.

“The parents grew up with New Kids on the Block, while their kids loved Backstreet Boys. It’s literally two generations coming together,” he said.

Emmalyn and Ickes are a great example of that. One is in her 20s, the other is younger than 10. And both are boy-band fans.

Source: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/07/new_kids_on_the_block_backstre.html