Ocean City’s 59th Annual NIGHT IN VENICE will be held on Sat., July 20. The optional theme is “The Good Old Summer Time.” Speaking of time, the starting time will be announced soon.
The colorful boat parade and decorated home celebration was initiated to commemorate the City’s Diamond Jubilee or 75th anniversary in 1954. It was organized by former Public Relations Director, Art Watkins and Jack Jernee, the Captain of the Beach Patrol.
Watkins, who was a boat tour director, prior to settling in Ocean City, witnessed a semi-religious celebration in Venice, Italy during which residents sailed to a nearby Island and had a sociable evening. Night In Venice has remained one of Ocean City’s most popular events.
Local historian, Fred Miller, learned that there was a celebration held here in 1901 that was also called Night In Venice. It consisted of musical groups and Philadelphia debutantes sailing through the lagoons on colorful boats, the young ladies waving to homeowners and visitors.
The City would like to start a new category for non mechanized boats to include kayaks, gondolas, sailboats, etc. Anyone interested should contact the Public Relation Office, 609-525-9300 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We will miss Sue Canale, our longtime volunteer who directed Night In Venice and the Baby Parade for many years and was active in other events. The Parade will be dedicated to her this year and her family will ride in one of the lead boats.
SPEAKING OF FAMILY, Ocean City has come together family -like to overcome many of the obstacles and hardships inflicted by Super Storm Sandy. Thankfully we are ready to host our visitors now and for the upcoming season. But there are still residents in need of assistance with housing, repairs and information concerning the storm.
OCNJCARE, our formidable volunteer organization and the City are still working daily to help. You can visit OCNJCARE at its website www.ocnjcare.org for information about assistance. You can donate to that organization to help with its work on the website or also help by sending a check to OCNJCARE, PO Box 807, Ocean City, N.J. or by dropping off a donation at Ocean City Home Bank, 10th and Asbury Ave. Courtney Huff at the Community Services Office, 2nd Floor of City Hall, (609) 525-9300 can also provide information about assistance.
The Army Corps of Engineers beach replenishment DREDGING program is now under way at the north end of the Island. The present project is scheduled to end at 14th St. but the City is working continuously to have the project extended to the South End of the Island.
As has been the custom, the City will present Sea Shore Sand Supervisors Certificates to those who watch the operation. People are advised to observe at a safe distance behind established fence/tape boundaries during daylight. The site is dangerous at night and you are strongly advised to stay away.
The certificates will be available at the Public Relations Office, second floor of City Hall or by calling (609) 525-9300.
(Feb. 21) LAST MINUTE REMINDER: 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 7 p.m. In addition, Mark Soifer will be honored as Citizen of the Decade. Tickets are $55 per person. Call (609) 399-1412.
(Feb. 21) The Annual “Ocean City’s Got Talent Show” is set for Thurs., Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School, 6th and Atlantic Ave. For information,call (609) 399-1290.
(Feb. 22) The Ocean City High School SURFING TEAM will hold a fund raiser for its senior surf team members from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday at the Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point. These are members of the 2011 Northeast Championship team. The 2012 event has been postponed until June because of Sandy. All money raised goes to senior members who are headed for college or the military. The event includes food, raffles, door prizes and dancing. Tickets are $30 at the door. Ocean City High School has won 18 consecutive National Scholastic Surfing Assn. Northeast Championships.
The Ocean City Free Public LIBRARY, 17th and Simpson Ave., continues its free film series 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Library Lecture Hall. The next film is Feb. 25, THE COLOR OF MONEY.
Every Thursday the Library and the Ocean City Repertory Theater present Open Mic Night. Come to perform or just listen and relax with refreshments provided. The event is hosted by singer/songwriters Josh Wise and Robyn Rosenthal from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Meeting Room N116. A sign -up sheet is located at the door and performers are scheduled on a First Come-First Play basis. (3-4 songs or ten minutes). List will rotate once everyone has performed. The night usually starts with Wise and Rosenthal providing an opening set.
The OCEAN CITY TABERNACLE has released its schedule of entertainment events for 2013. Among the earliest are a March 21 bus trip to see “Noah” at Sight and Sound, a March28-29 Portrayal of “The Last Supper” 7 p.m. at the Tabernacle and a trip to Washington, DC to visit the Holocaust Museum and National Cathedral Tour and Evensong on April 18. For more information, visit www.OCTabernacle.org or call (609) 399-1915.
LOOKING AHEAD: (March 30) The Woofin’ Paws Pet Fashion Show kicks off EASTER Weekend events 11 a.m. at Carey Stadium, 6th St. off the Boardwalk. Prizes are awarded for Best Dressed and many other categories. New this year: the event will conclude with a massive Belly Rub. All contestants will be asked to reward their pets for participating in the competition by rubbing their tummies. A $5 entry fee for contestants benefits the Ocean City Humane Society.
The GREAT EGG HUNT will also be held on Sat., March 30 at 2:30 p.m. from 11th to 14th St. on the beach. There will be 100,000 eggs, 5,000 with prizes. Rain date, April 8th. Call 609-525-9300.
Other Easter events include the annual Sunrise Service 6:30 a.m. at the Music Pier, March 31, Easter morning and the Easter Fashion Promenade starting 1p.m in front of the Music Pier on Easter afternoon. For more information call 609-525-9300.
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