Night in Venice The theme for the 2024 event will be: “Summertime Vibes: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett.” Ocean City’s 69th annual Night in Venice at 6:30 p.m. this year will honor Buffett and provide a chance to celebrate the music and carefree persona of the songwriter, who passed away in September after more than five decades of writing, recording and performing timeless classics. ESPN reporter and host Marty Smith will be grand marshal of the 2024 Night in Venice boat parade.  For nearly 20 years at ESPN, Smith has produced in-depth interviews, vulnerable storytelling, game broadcasting and breaking news across every ESPN platform, and in almost every major sport, including college football and basketball, the NFL, NBA, NASCAR and IndyCar, Formula 1, the horse racing Triple Crown, including the Kentucky Derby, the Masters Tournament and the PGA Tour. ACME Markets returns as a presenting sponsor, and OCNJ Watersports will return this year For more information on participating in the event or attending, visit www.ocnj.us/niv or call 609-399-6111. The City’s annual boat parade is one of the largest in the world.  Starts at the Longport Bridge to Tennessee Ave. along the bay. Fireworks display to follow parade.