Due to significant constraints on vendor equipment and staff availability, we have two options for this year’s fireworks display date. The graphic shows the two options and compares them to 2025. For more information about the fireworks go to FIREWORKS on the OPCL website.

The Options:

1. July 6 (Lower Cost): We share the barge, equipment and crew used for the July 4 oceanfront show.

2. July 2 (Higher Cost): Requires finding and renting a separate barge, equipment and crew, which are currently scarce due to HRBT/CBBT construction and the increase in number of celebrations of the 250th anniversary.

Key Reminders:

*Donations are critical: Fundraising was down last year, and 2026 prices are at a premium. We need your support to pull this off!

Safety first: Beach launches are strictly prohibited and illegal. The city will heavily enforce fireworks laws this year.

Keep it local: This is a permitted “private” community event. Promoting it to the general public would trigger requirements for extra security, parking and facilities that we cannot afford.

The Bayfront Advisory Commission Meeting on January 15, offered a number of updates on local bayfront projects: interim sidewalks, dune grass planting and PHP kayak launch.

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• Public Works presented an updates on the Shore Drive Interim Sidewalk Project for Ocean Park.

• Dune grass planting will happen this spring to replace some of the 2022 Beach Nourishment project planting that has died.
• A kayak launch was a part of the original plans for the Pleasure House Point Wetlands Mitigation Project from 2012. The Pleasure House Point Kayak Launch with limited parking construction project was included in the City’s 2012 plan and was slated to begin once funds were allocated. The city will engage the public about next steps for the plans for the kayak launch at Pleasure House Point with the first public meeting perhaps in May. The city is actively seeking public input on whether this project should move forward and how.

Here are the latest posts about Shore Dr. Improvements Phase III from the City of Virginia Beach Public Works site:

From our Parliamentarian Ashley MacLeod:

Why are the OPCL Bylaws Are Being Updated? 

At the September 2024 OPCL meeting, Michael Wagner-Diggs, MBA, PRP, served as Parliamentarian to assist with rules of order and interpretation of the existing bylaws. Following his review, he strongly recommended that the OPCL Bylaws undergo a comprehensive revision.

While the immediate priority prompting this update was to clarify the number of votes per member and to define membership categories and eligibility, it is considered best practice to review the entire bylaws document whenever any amendments are proposed.

Because changes to the bylaws require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote for approval, rather than a simple majority, conducting a full review ensures efficiency, consistency, and alignment with current governance and operational needs.

After review, most of the recommended edits or updates are wording or language changes (about 16) allowing for clearer understanding.   Approximately 11 edits or additions would change policy or process.   The key below has been created to assist members in easily identifying the edits themselves, the explanation of and type of changes.  

We have much to look back on in 2025 and be grateful for! Thank you to our Ocean Park neighbors for all that you contribute to our neighborhood: your wonderful friendliness and willingness to help and come together, your passion to improve our community and your imagination for what more we could do together! Looking forward to 2026 and all that it brings knowing this is a great place to live!

Upcoming events:

• Social Committee Meeting on Monday, January 5th at OPVRS at 6 pm (CHILI COOKOFF PLANNING!)
• General Membership Meeting on Thursday, January 8th at OPVRS at 7pm.
• CHILI COOKOFF! Thursday, February 5th 6-8 pm at OPVRS.

A Year in Review!!

We had so many delicious cookies for our refreshments on Thursday! Thank you to Kristie Weaver and Lauren Harrington for providing the treats that we enjoyed at the meeting and got to take some home too!

The meeting also included some food for thought about 2026 Fireworks date which will have to take into account many factors especially cost. Jill Doczi, Fireworks Chair, gave an update. Sharing a barge and staffing with the city brings those costs down but limits choices. There are many hoops to jump through: City of Virginia Beach Fire Marshal, Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard etc. all must approve and issue permits.

At the meeting we also had the first look at the 2026 Draft Budget presented by Treasurer Shane Abell. Parlimentarian Ashley MacLeod led further discussion of the proposed bylaws changes. More to follow on all those topics!