VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Buffy Barefoot is the president of Towne Bank in Virginia Beach, but her newest title is that of royalty and a first for the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival. She is the first Queen Neptune.
“It makes me feel proud. Whether it's male or female, I just want to lead by example and make the community feel good about what we’re doing here," said Barefoot.
Every year for the last half century, a Virginia Beach business and community leader is chosen to be King Neptune, presiding over the annual Neptune Festival held in September, the largest outdoor event in Virginia.
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“When I was chosen, it was a lot to digest. Being a traditionalist, I started thinking about how this would be perceived and received in the community,” she said.
Neptune Festival CEO and president Kit Chope tells me Barefoot was chosen for her passion and dedication to Virginia Beach and its residents, as she has been involved with many charities and community service boards.
“It’s reflective of who we are as a community, and it’s important for business leaders—whether they’re men or women—to see someone like Buffy Barefoot at the helm of this organization," said Chope.
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A native of Virginia Beach, Barefoot and her family have been associated with the Neptune Festival for decades. In years past, her daughter, Georgia, was a princess, and her husband, Jason, was a Triton.
I asked her if this break from tradition and potential pushback would bother her.
“Like anything in life, there are going to be folks who are very supportive of change, and then there are going to be others who may not want things to change,” she said. “But that’s okay. We all evolve, and I think in time, there will be common ground and there will be more queens in the future, because we need leadership that represents the city of Virginia Beach.”
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“This year, to have a female Queen Neptune—it's time. It’s probably past time. It’s appropriate," said Chope.
Of all the year-long activities, balls, public appearances and speaking engagements, what is she looking forward to the most?
“Wearing a crown, of course. Every woman dreams of that. No, seriously—just connecting with the community and being out there with the people, having the opportunity to represent the city with my court, the Tritons, and my husband—that’s what I’m looking forward to the most," said the new queen.
Making history, Queen Neptune Buffy Barefoot is positively Hampton Roads.
For more information on the Neptune Festival, click here.
