VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The first day of the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival was cut short on Friday due to heavy wind, rain, and lightning from Hurricane Helene.
With much better weather today, our own Miles Hood stopped by the boardwalk to see how the second day went.
Thousands of people packed the boardwalk Saturday afternoon. The annual beachside festival is a celebration of the area and everything it has to offer.
“I’m loving the art show,” said Traci May, who is visiting from Atlanta. “The art show is absolutely beautiful. They have great exhibits. My husband loves the food. It’s just a fun atmosphere, wonderful day. The people here are extremely nice.”
Neptune Festival's International Sand Sculpting Championship is a perennial favorite part of the festival. 32 sand sculptors gathered to compete for thousands of dollars in the three-day sand sculpting competition, and the results will be available to view all week long. They built enormous sculptures out of only sand and water.
The total prize purse and cash payout is $58,000. The prizes are broken down into categories, including Neptune’s Choice, Sculptors’ Choice, People’s Choice and overall winners.
Attendees can view the artists in action and the sand sculptures up close under the tented Land of Sand.
Tickets must be purchased on-site and in cash. Adult tickets are $7, and children 12 years old and under are free while accompanied by an adult.
If anyone is interested in learning how to create sand sculptures, master sand sculptors will be hosting free teaching clinics on the beach. The sand, water and tools will be provided. Classes will be held:
Saturday, Sept. 28
- 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.: No Hassle Sand Castle
- 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Sea Turtles
- 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.: King Neptune's Face
Sunday, Sept.29
- 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.: No Hassle Sand Castle
- 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Sea Turtles