Friday, September 18, 2026

Question: Who came up with the idea to create the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival?

Answer: In 1973, Richard Kline, then president of the Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce and owner of RK Chevrolet, reached out to Fred Napolitano. They brainstormed with event planners and studied successful festivals elsewhere, aiming to unite residents, draw tourists, and celebrate the city’s beach heritage. This collaboration launched the Neptune Festival the following year, with Napolitano as its first president.