DATE: Monday, April 7, 1997                 TAG: 9704070042

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   42 lines

KING NEPTUNE XXIV SAYS HE'S ``PUMPED UP'' AND READY TO GO

Roll out the red carpet, break out the trumpets and raise those champagne glasses. The king's in town, and we're not talking Elvis.

William ``Will'' D. Sessoms Jr., Virginia Beach vice mayor and a senior vice president at Central Fidelity Bank, has been named King Neptune XXIV for the 1997 Neptune Festival, Sept. 6 through 28.

The announcement came Sunday during a reception in the Old Cavalier Hotel's grand ballroom. The afternoon gala, attended by more than 100 city and community leaders, also recognized the king's entourage: six tritons, six princesses, five princesses royale, two court attendants and two pages.

``I'm pumped up,'' Sessoms, 43, said, just before making his entrance in the traditional blue velvet gown and silver crown. ``We're looking forward to a wonderful year.''

Each year, a group of former kings selects King Neptune by secret ballot from a group of men nominated for their citizenship. Winning the crown is considered by many to be quite the civic honor.

``The king is an ambassador of goodwill and pride in the city,'' said Nancy Creech, festival president.

This year's theme, ``Neptune's Galaxy of Games,'' also was announced Sunday. It honors the many sports activities related to the festival, such as the 8K run, volleyball competition and Surf Casting Fishing Tournament, a new event scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27.

Despite all of his obligations - which include board of directorship with the Planning Council, Virginia Beach Foundation, Boys and Girls Club, Tidewater Health Care Inc., and Norfolk State University - Sessoms said he is ready for his royal duties.

``The Neptune Festival is such a major part of our city,'' Sessoms said. ``I'm truly honored to be recognized. It's terrific.'' ILLUSTRATION: HUY NGUYEN/The Virginian-Pilot

Princesses of the 1997 Neptune Festival wait to be introduced Sunday

at a reception for city and community leaders in the Old Cavalier

Hotel in Virginia Beach. The festival is scheduled to run Sept. 6

through 28.

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