Northern Neck Beach Music Festival: A story of celebration and preservation

Richard Burrell, Sep 13, 2023

NewsOnTheNeck.com

Joyce Gunderson and the Colonial Beach Community Foundation have been endeavoring to make sure that the love of beach music is preserved and passed along to younger generations. If last week’s rendition of the annual Northern Neck Beach Music Festival was any indication, they are well on their way.    

Like many great events, the whole thing just sort of happened. Gunderson had been hosting beach music at her birthday parties without fail, and when word of the event exploded onto social media, both Gunderson and Kathy Bokman, among others, realized they had an absolutely golden opportunity for a fundraiser. The rest, as one would say, is history. Its official launch took place back in 2018, and it has been an institution ever since, only stopping back when the pandemic caused everything to grind to a halt.

In the years since the pandemic subsided, Gunderson and the CBCF seem to have been on a mad dash to not just make up for lost time but keep building the festival up year after year as a celebration of beach music and everything associated with it, from enjoying the sun to shag dancing.

Those who purchased tickets got to enjoy live music courtesy of the likes of the Feature Attraction Band, Motown Butta, and the Catalinas, as well as local crafts and plenty of libations from places such as Ingleside. All the while, Denson’s and several other food trucks kept people fed and happy.

While those who attend get to enjoy the fun, there is another aspect to all of this. As it happens, the Beach Music Festival is one of the biggest fundraisers the CBCF puts on. These funds, as Mayor Robin Schick noted, go to support everything from non-profit initiatives and public safety to beautification and beyond.

As mentioned before, another goal, besides celebration and fundraising, is preservation. Mayor Schick elaborated on this after giving a round of thanks to the CBCF and their volunteers, as well as Bokman and Gunderson.

“They (Bokman & Gunderson) have a vision that matches very well with Colonial Beach,” Mayor Schick commented during a break in the music, “which is to create a multi-generational event where we are passing down beach music and the culture, fun, and love of the beach through it to our following generations.”

Gunderson stepped up after the Mayor’s remarks had finished, and gave a round of thanks to the sponsors of the event as well.

“Every year, I keep saying that I’m going to keep this beach music alive until I am dead or have left town, and I’m not leaving town!” she proclaimed. “I’m going to still be on this stage, even if I’m a hundred years old, to make sure that sand is still rockin’ and rollin’!”

Given the hefty attendance from this year, the event is a guarantee for 2024, billed by Gunderson as happening on the 14th of September next year. It’s quite clear that Gunderson is well past attempting to pass down beach music to the younger generations. She is succeeding.