Va. Beach braces for return of ‘Floatopia’
Memories of excessive trash on beach, intoxicated partygoers concern officials
VIRGINIA BEACH — City officials are preparing for a Fourth of July weekend party on Chic’s Beach they’re worried might get out of hand.
The community-organized Floatopia party, usually held on July 4 or Memorial Day, invites beachgoers to bring boats and floaties and set up tents on the beach for a day of fun.
Three years ago, however, the event came under fire when partiers left 10 tons of trash on the Ocean Park shoreline on Memorial Day. The destruction gained national attention when Ocean Park residents posted photos on social media and national news outlets picked up the story.
Virginia Beach city officials have denied a permit to organizers attempting to hold the event Saturday, according to a letter a city community affairs liaison sent to Chesapeake Beach-area residents.
A Facebook user created a page for “Floatopia 2022,” asking people to bring “friends, families, floaties and boaties!”
“Make sure to clean up after yourselves, keep the beach clean,” the Facebook page said. “Does anyone know of a local beach clean up service or organization that wants to help with clean up?”
More than 200 Facebook users responded to the event, saying they’re “going” or “interested.” The Facebook organizer of the event could not be reached for comment.
Virginia Beach officials asked the organizer to take the page down, according to the letter.
“All of our beaches are public property,” said the letter. “We can’t stop people from coming to the beach, but we do have laws and ordinances in place to address any behavior that presents a risk to other individuals or private property.”
Residents have previously complained about intoxicated partygoers publicly defecating or urinating during the event. A Norfolk woman was charged with leaving her two young children unattended while getting into a drunken fight during the 2019 party.
But beachgoers have hosted informal Floatopia events for years without any major issues. A July 4, 2019, event in Ocean View drew hundreds and attendees said the city of Norfolk did a good job managing crowds.
To manage the anticipated influx of beachgoers in Virginia Beach, the city is placing additional trash barrels at beach access points, two dumpsters at Crab Creek Marina and will empty trash barrels each morning during the weekend. There will be about 200 trash barrels along Ocean Park Beach and Chic’s Beach.
The city will have crews remove any trash left on the beach. Fifteen portable restrooms will be placed along the beach. Throughout the weekend the city will also be addressing traffic, parking and other public safety needs, according to the letter.