THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 15, 1996 TAG: 9609130242
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
SOURCE: Compiled by Jo-Ann Clegg
LENGTH: 69 lines
Salute to sailors, soldiers
This year's festival is a snappy, heartfelt salute to a special segment of the Virginia Beach population. The event's title, ``Neptune's Red, White-Hot & Blue Blast. . . A Military Tribute,'' says it all.
Highlights include an air show and static displays at Oceana from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. (gates open at 9) on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22; an Armed Forces YMCA recognition luncheon honoring the military services families of the year on Friday, Sept. 27, and military demonstrations and static displays between 8th and 10th streets all day Saturday, Sept. 28. Hail to the chiefs
Just in case there's anybody who hasn't heard, Virginia Beach attorney Thomas Frantz is King Neptune XXIII. An attorney with the firm of Clark and Stant, he's well- known for his volunteer involvement with the Virginia Beach Foundation, the Virginia Marine Sciences Foundation and Cape Henry Collegiate School.
Sean Brickell, president of Brickell & Associates Public Relations, is the chairman of this year's festival. He was named Outstanding Young Citizen of Virginia Beach in 1990 and Outstanding Young Virginian in 1991. For many years his firm has handled the publicity for the Neptune Festival on a pro bono (no charge) basis. Hoedown's a happenin'
Yes, Virginia Beach, despite the devastating fire at the Farmer's Market, the show will go on at the corner of Princess Anne and Dam Neck (formerly Landstown) roads. Country music, country life and country food from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21 and 22. Pinning you down
Those popular Poseidon Pins, just made for wearing and trading, are available again this year for $2 each. The price, which goes to support festival activities, include $6 worth of coupons from local eateries, a chance to win an official T-shirt and poster and an entry form for a chance at prizes ranging from airline tickets for two to a custom-made set of golf clubs. Who foots the bill?
Despite what most citizens think, the Neptune Festival is a privately sponsored event paid for by sales and donations, not by tax money. This year, the City of Virginia Beach will be picking up the tab for the grand parade and the fireworks, just as private sponsors pick up the tabs for such events as the cheerleading competition and the senior citizens' events.
When Old Dominion University's College of Business and Public Administration did a Neptune Festival economic impact study in 1993, it came back with some pretty impressive figures.
Locals and visitors spent $11.9 million on festival activities from which the city realized nearly $387,000 in taxes. Ethnic flavor missing
The Heritage Day is no more. One of the most popular of Neptune Festival events in the past, the annual ethnic food and music event was dropped from this year's schedule.
``It's a loss to the festival,'' said vice-president Bill Center. ``It's been a wonderful event in past years.''
Unfortunately, it's become increasingly difficult in recent years for the volunteers from the various national groups to keep up with the demand for the delicacies that crowds flock to the Boardwalk to sample, he said. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
The offical poster of this year's Neptune Festival by CNB