THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, March 25, 1996 TAG: 9603250086
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY NANCY LEWIS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
With all the pomp and fanfare due one of royal blood, the royal subjects welcomed their newly crowned king - but without bows and curtsies.
Virginia Beach lawyer Thomas R. Frantz officially took the throne as King Neptune XXIII on Sunday, launching preparations for the city's 23rd annual Neptune Festival in September.
The king's name and the festival theme were announced at an invitation-only reception held in the Cavalier Hotel's grand ballroom.
Frantz, 48, a lawyer with the firm of Clark and Stant, had known of his selection since January.
His Royal Highness clearly had not risen from the deep blue depths as did his mythological namesake, for he was garbed in regal blue velvet accented with silver. And instead of the trident wielded by Old Neptune, King Frantz carried a jewel-encrusted scepter.
The royal entourage - six princesses, three princesses royale and six tritons, the mermen of mythology - will act as Frantz's goodwill ambassadors for the next year.
In accepting his yearlong duties, Frantz said that, contrary to popular belief, he did not consider it ``a step down'' to go from ``lawyer to king.'' He lauded Virginia Beach - his home for the past 22 years - as ``a wonderful kingdom for any person.''
He thanked the festival committee for ``arranging a special comet'' to mark his inauguration, a reference to the appearance of comet Hyakutake.
A tradition that began with the first festival in 1974 demands that King Neptune grow a full beard. The clean-shaven Frantz said he is ready to do that, despite the discomfort it will likely cause him this summer. He's had time to come up with some practical suggestions for caring for the long, flowing growth of hair, he said.
Each year, a group of former kings selects King Neptune by secret ballot from a group of men nominated for their citizenship.
Frantz is a fund-raiser for the Virginia Marine Science Museum and Cape Henry Collegiate School. In addition, he is chairman of the Virginia Beach Foundation, a group of business leaders that works to raise the quality of life in the city, particularly for youth.
Frantz's wife, Diane Frantz, is now officially Lady of the Realm. The couple has three daughters, all of whom attend Cape Henry Collegiate.
The Neptune Festival is one of the top 10 festivals in the southeastern United States and one of the top 100 in the country, attracting more than a half million participants and spectators each year. The two weeks of events bring more than $15 million to the local economy.
Festival events include competitions in sand castle-building, body surfing and a triathlon. Displays of fireworks, a parade, a dance ball and a country fair day are also part of the fun.
This year's festival theme is ``Red, White-Hot, & Blue Blast,'' in tribute to the military.
The festival is a community event aimed at ``taking the beach back'' after a summer of tourism, said Nancy Creech, chairwoman for the festival. ``It's a well-kept secret how wonderful the beach is'' in September after the summer crowds have thinned out, she said.
Watching Frantz's coronation was Richard Mladick, who relinquished his claim to the monarchy in deference to the new king.
``It sort of hurts just a little bit after a year,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: BILL TIERNAN /The Virginian-Pilot
Thomas R. Frantz enjoys the spotlight Sunday after being named King
Neptune XXIII at the Cavalier Hotel.
KEYWORDS: KING NEPTUNE VIRGINIA BEACH NEPTUNE FESTIVAL by CNB