(1) One of TV’s first singer celebrities, (2) a syndicated cartoonist, (3) an 79 year old woman baton twirler and (4) 500 basset hounds will all be the stars of Ocean City’s 28th Doo Dah Parade on April 13 th.
“Perky” Peggy King of Philadelphia who starred on the George Gobel show in the early days of TV will be grand marshal. Prior to that she toured with the country’s leading big bands including Charlie Spivak, Ralph Flannigan and Ray Anthony and appeared with Mel Torme’.
During her career she made guest appearances on many of the most popular shows of the era including American Bandstand, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the Jack Benny, Bob Hope and Ed Sullivan Shows.
King will be joined by John McPherson, the syndicated cartoonist of “Close to Home.” McPherson’s cartoon appears in 300 newspapers throughout the world and numerous books of his work have been published.
As a special feature, an 80 year old Majorette, Betty Lambert from Harmony, Pa. will appear in the parade that celebrates humor and its legends. Lambert will twirl her baton and do splits during the Parade.
Doo Dah enthusiasts will be pleased to know that over 500 basset hounds will once again waddle in the event. The hounds will also participate in the hilarious Basset Hound Olympics set for Friday, April 12 at 1 p.m. on the Tabernacle Grounds 6th and Asbury Ave.
Following the Olympics, world renowned humorist, Dr. Joel Goodman, will present a program on the benefits of humor at the Ocean City Library, 17th and Simpson Ave., from 3 to 4 p.m.
Also on April 12 at 7 p.m., a Doo Dah Comedy Show has been scheduled for the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. The show will feature songs by King, a cartoon talk by McPherson and the annual appearance of the impersonators of legendary comedians who also ride in the Parade. These include Groucho Marx, Charo, Jack Benny, Abbott and Costello and Lucy performers. Admission for individuals or families will be by donation of canned or dried food for the Ocean City Food Cupboard or a donation of $10 for the cupboard.
The evening will also include a Tribute to Soupy Sales, rescheduled from last year because of technical difficulties. Trudy Sales, Soupy’s widow and a former June Taylor dancer, will participate in the event.
The Parade begins at noon on Saturday, April 13 at 6th and Asbury Ave., goes through the business district to 12 th and Asbury, then proceeds to the boardwalk concluding at Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace.
An awards ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the Parade featuring King, McPherson and Lambert. This is followed by the colorful PieAsco when folks sit in grandstands and smoosh each other in the face with shaving cream pies, the kind Soupy Sales used on his syndicated TV Show.
To participate in this fun Parade as a comical marcher or group or with your dressed up doggie, contact the Public Relations Office, 2 nd Floor, City Hall, 9th and Asbury in Ocean City, call 609-525-9300 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. After hours call (609) 364-4010.
Our cartoon this week features the Ocean City Theatre Company’s CABARET of Broadway Love Songs and sumptuous dessert reception which is the highlight of our Valentine’s Weekend. It’s set for Sat., Feb. 16 at the Hughes Performing Arts Center in Ocean City High School, 6th and Atlantic Ave.
The evening begins at 7 p.m. with an array of sweets that will set the mood for an entertaining program starting 8 p.m. The show will feature some of the most popular love songs ever written, classic hits performed by an outstanding cast of professional singers. Tickets purchased before 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 are $18, after that $20. Call
(609) 525-9300 to order.
It will be a pleasant Valentine’s Weekend in Ocean City. The downtown stores and restaurants are open, you can walk or bike the entire length of the Boardwalk and our Art Centers at 608 Asbury Ave. and 17th and Simpson Ave. at the Library complex are featuring interesting exhibits. The complex also houses the City’s Historical Museum that will be open from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 16.
SCHEDULED: The City’s BEACH DREDGING program is scheduled to begin on or about Feb. 16. A 309 ft. Dredge will operate 24 hours a day and replace 1.8 million cubic yards of sand on Ocean City Beaches. The dredging will begin at the north end of the island.
You may watch the operation from a safe distance behind established fence/tape boundaries during daylight. The project site can be dangerous at night and spectators are strongly advised to stay away.
As has been the custom in the past, the City will present honorary Sea Shore Sand Supervisors Certificates to those who watch the operation. The Certificates will feature a photo of the dredge and verify that “The holder has spent at least five minutes watching Ocean City’s massive beach replenishment project.” The certificates will be available at the Public Relations Office, 2nd Floor of City Hall or by calling (609)525-9300.
RESCHEDULED: The ART on ASBURY Gallery, 608 Asbury Ave., has rescheduled its Meet the Artist reception for Feb. 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The public is invited, entry is free and light refreshments will be served. The current exhibit which runs through February features the work of the Center’s talented members and a special exhibit highlighting Dogs by ARC students.
ALSO SCHEDULED: The Ocean City Arts Center, 17th and Simpson Ave., is showing the photography of Macy Zhelyazkova through February. The Center will host its juried photography show in April. Interested photographers should call the Center, (609) 399-7628.
SCHEDULED SOON: The Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Library, 17 th and Simpson will hold a Weekend BOOK SALE, Sat., Feb. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Library Atrium, featuring special priced items only-- $1 and up. The Library will also continue its free Classic Film Series on Feb. 25 by showing “The Color of Money,” 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall.
NEXT WEEK: The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce holds its Outstanding Business and Beautification Awards Dinner combined with its annual Board of Directors Dinner Feb. 21 at Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point. Social hour is 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. In addition Mark Soifer will be honored as Citizen of the Decade. Tickets are $55 per person. Call (609) 399-1412.
###############
