Sprinkled throughout the gray-haired crowd at the Diamond Head Crater Celebration yesterday, there were dozens of 20- and 30-somethings — a sign that the concert brought back for Baby Boomers after a nearly 30-year hiatus is attracting their children as well.

One of those Gen-Xers, Kanani Awana-Chang, was lounging on a towel in a bikini top at the crater yesterday afternoon, soaking up some sun while Yvonne Elliman and her band played on stage.

Awana-Chang's mom, Waynette Chang, sat in a beach chair next to her daughter. "I'm here for Earth, Wind & Fire," Chang said.

Awana-Chang nodded in agreement.

The concert was brought back to Diamond Head last year, after not being held since 1978. This year, in addition to Earth, Wind & Fire, the lineup included Mick Fleetwood's Island Rumours Band.

Organizers capped ticket sales at 7,500 and estimated about 5,000 people attended yesterday. The turnout was similar last year.

Reserved seating tickets were pricey, ranging from $135 to $175.

But general admission tickets were less — $69, down from $125 last year. Co-executive producer Ron Gibson said the price was lowered to attract a wider range of the community.

He pointed out that although general admission is more expensive than other concerts, having a festival inside the crater requires much more set-up and bus transportation.

Concertgoers were shuttled inside the crater in school buses.

Gibson has secured a permit to hold the concert in 2008, but is unsure whether the concert will get approval after that.

Several community members have come out in opposition to the celebration over the last two years, saying it creates a hassle for residents and is not worth closing the park for a day.

Parking did not appear to be an issue yesterday, as attendees were told to use the Kapi'olani Community College parking lot and stay off side streets. Police officers also directed traffic to keep it moving as buses shuttled people to the crater.

Inside the crater, the main stage was surrounded with chairs, while general admission ticketholders got spots on the grass.

Unlike last year, the weather cooperated, providing attendees with lots of sun and a light wind in the nearly treeless crater.

The concert ran from 2 p.m. to about 7:30 p.m., with lead act Earth, Wind & Fire taking the stage at 5.

RELIVING THE PAST

Near the front of the stage yesterday afternoon, Michael and Angie Warren were tapping their feet to the music.

The two remember coming to crater concerts in the 1970s, when the festivals were akin to Woodstock, full of pot-smoking hippies, anti-Vietnam War messages and accidents waiting to happen.

The concert yesterday had no political message, was orderly and the Warrens couldn't spot anyone doing illegal substances.

The Big Island couple, who also came to the event last year, said the new crater celebration is a more civilized, grown-up version of the one they remember as teens.

"It kind of relives it — only without all the antics," Michael Warren said with a laugh.

Perhaps one of the oldest attendees at the crater yesterday was 84-year-old Mark Evans, a diehard Earth, Wind & Fire fan.

He wore a hat as he sat on a beach chair in the grass, moving his body back and forth to the beat while Elliman sang.

Evans, who came with his daughter and son, said he has seen Earth, Wind & Fire in concert at least five times.

His daughter, also a big fan, has seen them four times.

Nearby, Sheeree Himmelman and her brother, Shell Reyes, sat cross-legged in the grass downing bowls of quickly-melting shave ice. Himmelman's only complaint: "I wish there were more trees."

Still, she added, "It's great to be out in the sun."

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.