When Captain America Shows up with a Keg of Beer



The first Saturday of each February, arriving at work hours earlier than my routine generally allows for in anticipation of wondrous events is actually standard procedure. As I rounded the turn from Fifth Street to Atlantic Avenue, the eagerness of what my immediate future would hold was intensifying. After unlocking the doors, turning on the lights, and reviewing scheduled employees my gaze turned toward the door and as perceived earlier the vision before my eyes was no apparition. It was indeed Captain America with a keg of beer. Being in the hospitality industry the question, “how can I help you”, exited my lips without hesitation. The keg asked, “Do you mind if we come in?”, (right away from its brogue, I could tell that it was a domestic infusion; yet of the finest sort), Captain America then spoke, “You see we need a place to leave our stuff while we run the 5k and we do plan on spending the day in your restaurant until we jump in the ocean… soon all of our cohorts will be here.”  Obliging the Captain, not wishing to disturb the ferment of the brew and realizing the temperature of the ocean, I invited them in for some warmth and refreshment. In 2012, the City of Virginia Beach witnessed its 20^th Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Virginia. Some early accounts have placed the funds raised for this cause at over $1.12 million this year making two consecutive years with over $1 million in donations. With great vision the event has grown over the last few years to a full weekend adding a 5k run as well as a Friday and Saturday tented nightly ocean side celebrations to further this noble cause and support Special Olympics Virginia.

            The City of Virginia Beach needs to realize what an opportunity it has in this event to create a festival week in February. Elected officials from the city who can visualize a purchase of rail road track rights to further the cause of light rail without consent of the constituency, demolishing buildings on the corner of 17^th street and Pacific Avenue, and remaking the 31^st street corridor (all tales for another time), could certainly imagine a week-long winter festival to jump start the ocean front economy at the beginning of February highlighted by a parade, a high school boys and girls regional basketball invitational tournament to be played at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, a restaurant culinary and bartending competition, a fishing tournament and a punctuating black tie event on the final night of the week.  Potential benefits would be realized from increased taxes raised on improved room nights, restaurant and shop revenues. By further partnering with Special Olympics Virginia to attract more corporate sponsors, Virginia Beach can reap additional revenue, help ocean front businesses increase sales during a time of the year when they are so desperately needed, and further assist Special Olympics Virginia by creating a week long Mid-Atlantic event.