Ocean View Witch Walk: 250 Years of Legends and Lore

Join the OV Sea Hags at Ocean View Beach Park for a magical, interactive dancing witch walk celebrating Norfolk250! The “Ocean View Witch Walk: 250 Years of Legends and Lore” is a vibrant community musical march that brings our neighborhood’s deep history and coastal folklore to life—and we want YOU to be a part of the movement!

The entire community is highly encouraged to get dressed up and walk right alongside the troupe. Come dressed in your favorite witch attire, or choose a period costume representing any era of our historic 250-year timeline — from colonial pioneers and 1920s flappers to WWII sailors and vintage beachgoers!
This unique event moves in a series of fun, theatrical stages. We will walk together until the next historical narrative checkpoint, stop to hear a quick local legend, and then the OV Sea Hags will perform a short, synchronized dance segment to match that era.

Our interactive dancing walk begins at twilight along the boardwalk, tracing the historic roots of our shoreline — from the cataclysmic hurricane that birthed Willoughby Spit and the legend of its protective ghostly omen, to the Witch of Pungo, and the courageous 1776 escape of enslaved people from Willoughby Plantation and our local connections to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. As we proceed along our journey, we celebrate the high-energy resort era of the Ocean View Railroad, the world-changing WWII amphibious training grounds at the Nansemond Hotel, and the rich cultural legacy of Seaview Beach.

The celebration culminates with a grand finale performance of our signature German Witch Broom Dance, capturing the indestructible, resilient spirit of the legendary “Rocket” roller coaster. This event is completely free, family-friendly, and open to all who want to dress up, march, dance, and celebrate 250 years of community resilience and joy!