Despite autumn’s official arrival earlier this week, the beachy keen Boardwalk bashing isn’t over yet. In fact, folks in and around Virginia Beach know firsthand that one of the biggest beach bashes on the East Coast is still set to happen. I am, of course, referring to the one and only Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, which continues a long-running coastal community tradition, 51 years in the making, this weekend.
According to the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival organization, the nonprofit founders responsible for this acclaimed annual mainstay, thousands of people make the trek to experience the weekend-wide festivities each year. It’s remained their most popular signature event since debuting back in 1974 and shows no signs of waning.
Artisans, food vendors, and nonstop festivities will span well over 30 blocks of Virginia Beach’s scenic oceanfront Boardwalk, encompassing a diverse range of activities and interests catering to all.
Come out and experience the myriad entertainment offerings that will be going on all weekend. More than 20 live musical performances by both locally and nationally renowned bands, artists, and DJs will take place on two separate stages—a twice-as-nice treat for sure.
In addition to live music, a host of other entertaining endeavors are sure to captivate your interest. Among the most alluring are Dock Dogs competitions, Neptune’s 8k Race, Touch-a-Truck, a Surfing Classic, the Atlantic Regatta, a Volleyball Tournament, Healthy Haven events, the ever-popular Grand Parade procession, and more.
Creativity is king at the Neptune Festival, as you’ll experience firsthand via the concurrent Arts and Crafts show setup. There’s even a special Youth Arts Show sure to amaze and inspire you!
Trumping the impressive spectacles surrounding the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, though, will be those eagerly awaited 20+ sand sculptures that crowds look forward to each year in eager anticipation. All are meticulously created onsite by world-renowned international sculptors participating in what’s come to be known as Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship.
Of course, you have the simple pleasures and beach staples to fall back on as well. One time-tested tradition, for instance, is simply coming out to gaze at that forever-mesmerizing larger-than-life bronze Neptune Statue. It’s always an engaging conversational piece and attraction in its own right, especially for visiting newcomers to the festival as well as to the Virginia Beach area in general.
Located on 31st Street, the compelling creation by Virginia artist Paul DiPasquale stands at a stunning 34 feet in height, marking the entrance to Virginia Beach’s more recently established oceanfront park, rightfully named Neptune Park. The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival had put in a call for submissions for the statue’s design back in 2003. Once DiPasquale’s concept was accepted and approved, the casting was done in China by Zhang Cong using local, traditional methods.
It was sent to the United States, arriving in three pieces, and was then reconstructed onsite. The statue was dedicated to the City of Virginia Beach on September 30, 2005, during that year’s Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend.
There’s just so much to see, do, and get into during the weekend-long Virginia Beach Neptune Festival! And remember, the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival organization offers more than 40 other events and opportunities to engage community camaraderie throughout the year as well. Still, their anchoring namesake Neptune Festival remains their signature seasonal feature. The event is free and open for all to attend, making for another very good reason to get over there and experience it for yourself!
The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival will be taking place on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk all weekend. Visit the website at www.neptunefestival.com for all other information and additional details.