Neptune Festival gets new king

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va (WAVY) - Organizers of the 37th Annual Virginia Beach Neptune Festival crowned their king Saturday evening.

Bruce L. Thompson, chief executive officer of Gold Key/PHR Hotels and Resorts, was named this year's king. His companies own or manage seven hotels and six restaurants in Virginia Beach, which generate about $150 million annually and employ more than 2,000 associates.

For the last two years, Thompson organized the “Walk to Defeat ALS" in honor of his son Josh, who has ALS. The walks have raised more than $3 million for ALS care, treatment and research. In 2009, he designed and financed the world’s first fully accessible Oceanfront park for the disabled, JT’s Grommet Island Park, scheduled to open later this year near Rudee Inlet.

Since the festival’s inception in 1974, King Neptune has been the ceremonial leader of this annual event, presiding over all Neptune Festival activities held throughout the year, including Boardwalk Weekend in September.

King Neptune also serves as an ambassador of goodwill for the City of Virginia Beach and its residents and guests. Each year, King Neptune is chosen by the Neptune Festival Committee from nominations solicited from the general public.

Each year, the Neptune Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Attendance at each year’s annual festival generally exceeds 500,000 people, generating about $18 million for the City.

For more information on the 37th Annual Neptune Festival, please call the festival office at 1-866-NEP-FEST or visit www.neptunefestival.com .