What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 3/30/16
Here’s some very exciting news worth tweeting. If you don’t tweet, tell someone else, to tell someone else, to tell someone else, and soon millions will know.
There will be two grand marshals of the 31st Annual Ocean City Doo Dah Parade on April 16. Yes, it’s true! There will be a community grand marshal and a regular “run of the mill” grand marshal.
The community grand marshal will be Doug Jewell, owner of Air Circus, the kite and novelty store on the Boardwalk. Doug is receiving the recognition because of his many contributions to our special events including Doo Dah, Martin Mollusk Day, Miss Crustacean, Night In Venice, Weird Contest Week, etc. Doug has also brought the Eastern Regional Yo Yo Championships to Ocean City and is working on bringing the Nationals to the Music Pier.
The regular “run of the mill” grand marshal is me (Mark Soifer) because in 1985 I started the Parade with the help of my friend Clint Campbell and kept it going these many years.
The Parade evolved into a celebration of humor with celebrity grand marshals that included Mickey Rooney, Carol Channing, Soupy Sales, Larry Storch, Edie Adams, and many more. Along the way, we were contacted by the Tri State Basset Hound Rescue League that added more than 600 friendly basset hounds to the mix. This year a contingent of German Shepherds will join the Bassets.
To march in the Doo Dah Parade as a humorous brigade or individual, call (609) 399-6111, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or access http://www.ocnj.us/Doo-Dah-Parade/. To register a basset hound for the Waddle, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
(April 9-10) A new event arrives in Ocean City: The OC-CON COMIC BOOK and MEMORABILIA SHOW. Comic book illustrators and writers will greet the public and lead discussion panels at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. This entertaining and informative event begins on Saturday at 9 a.m. with a one-mile Super Hero Run followed by a Super Hero Obstacle Dash at noon. Register for the race at http://www.ocnj.us/Race-Events.
Meet, chat and discuss with comic book illustrators from Marvel Comics, Disney Films, DC Comics, Archie Comics and more. On Sunday, participate in or observe a Cosplay (costume contest) at 2 p.m. For details, go to www.ocnj.us/oc-comic-convention.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children 12 and under. Two Day Admission: $8 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.
(April 9-10) We have yet another new event on this weekend: GIRLS WEEKEND! The ladies will be offered an array of specials on Asbury Ave. including dining specials, shopping discounts, table sales, fashion show, yoga, wellness classes, craft projects, demonstrations, B&B Packages and more.
Tickets for the Kick-Off Fashion Show at Glazed Over Studio, 704 Asbury on Friday Night (April 8) are $20. Get them at the Sneaker Shop, (704 Asbury Ave.), 7th St. Surf Shop, (720 Asbury Ave.), Ta-Dah, (1040 Asbury Ave.), and Ocean City Welcome Centers at City Hall, 861 Asbury Ave. and on the Route 52 Causeway. See complete schedule of participating businesses at www.oceancityvacation.com or call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
(April 20) BEACH NOURISHMENT AND DUNE VEGETATION will be discussed in the next Environmental Lecture program at 6:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th and Simpson Ave. Crist Robine from the Coastal Research Center of Stockton University will be speaker at the event sponsored by the Ocean City Environmental Commission and the Library.
The event is free and held in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall, Room 110 of the Library. The public is invited. For information, call (609) 399-2434 x5222.
(April 30) OCEAN CITY GREAT STRIDES WALK: 10 a.m. registration at the 6th St. Football Practice Field, 11 a.m. walk. Great Strides is a family oriented event with a healthy 5k walk, children’s activities, food and festivities that participants look forward to every year. The event benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is its largest national fundraiser. For information, call (610) 325-6001 or visit www.cff.org/greatstrides.
(May 6-7) BOARDWALK & DOWNTOWN TABLE SALES: (No vendors) 6th -14th Sts. on Boardwalk and Asbury Ave.
(May 7) DAY WITHOUT SHOES 5K RUN/1MILE WALK: Registration will be at 23rd St. and Boardwalk from 7 to 8:45 a.m. The Ocean City High School Key Club is hosting this popular event in conjunction with TOMS: One for one Shoes. This is a barefoot run on the beach. Key Club is sponsoring this day to bring awareness of children’s health and education by going without shoes. For each race participant, TOMS will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. Registration fee includes a Tee Shirt and post race refreshments. Register online and send fee via mail or bring registration fee the day of. For more information, call (609) 350-0809 or register online at http://goo.gl/forms/OtpHVIKwIM.
(May 7) MARTIN Z. MOLLUSK DAY—Ocean City’s relatively famous hermit crab enters “The Circle of Truth” on the 9th St. Beach at 11 a.m. If he sees his shadow summer comes one week early to Ocean City.
Martin is now 102 years old in hermit crab age so his vital signs are checked by Dr. Frankenstein and Nurse Perfect before he is permitted to venture onto the sands. He is greeted upon his arrival by Suzanne Muldowney, aka “Shelley the Mermaid,” who sings “Some Enchanted Morning,” his theme song. All youngsters who attend will be given miniature replicas of Martin as a souvenir.
Big Momma Llama, of Bready Farms in Tuckahoe, for years has determined if Martin has seen his shadow by shaking her head. She has retired, and William Goat, also known as “Billie,” will take her place. Both reside at Bready Farms. Big Momma has trained the goat in the authentic procedures of head shaking.
(May 13) AMERICAN LEGION OLDIES CONCERT: Featuring the Brooklyn Bridge. Opening acts will be 45 RPM, the Essentials and the Sole Survivors. 7 p.m. at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $39, reserved seating available at www.ocnj.us/boxoffice or (609) 399-6111.
SPRING BLOCK PARTY SET FOR MAY 14: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 5th to 14th Sts. on Asbury Ave. Over 350 Crafters, food vendors, music and more. For more information call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
