You can expect plenty of Easter events in Ocean City this weekend, some unusual, some traditional.
Unusual: (Sat., March 30) Decorated doggies and assorted pets will compete in the WOOFIN’ PAWS Pet Fashion Show set for Carey Stadium, 6th Street off the Boardwalk starting 11 a.m. with registration beginning 10 a.m.
The event is open to any pet that will not eat another pet. We are pleased to report that in the long, colorful history of this competition this unspeakable calamity has never occurred. Categories include Best Dressed, plus Best Bonnet, Swim Suit, Cutest Tail Wagger, Pet Owner- Look Alike, Intelligent Pet Tricks and Most Patriotic.
There is a $5 entry fee that benefits the Ocean City Humane Society, a no kill shelter, named one of the finest of its size in the country. The event ends with a massive belly rub, as a thank you to all participants and in fond memory of Barclie, Ocean City’s legendary doggie, who was especially fond of the procedure.
Unusual: (Sat. March 30) The GREAT EASTER EGG Hunt: There is nothing that unusual about Easter Egg Hunts but when 100,000 eggs and hundreds of highly focused children are involved, well, that’s unusual. The event, sponsored by the Boardwalk Merchants’ Assn., detonates at 2:30 p.m. between 11th and 14th Streets. We say detonates because there is a happy explosion of scrambling youngsters when the signal to start is given.
The hunt is divided into age groups to keep it fair for all participants. Ages 0-2 and 3-4 are at 11th St.; 5 and 6 years are at 12 St. and 7 year olds are at 13th St. Each group hunts in a separate circle. Only ages 0-2 may have a parent accompany them. Arrive on time. The event ends quickly.
Unusual: (Sat. March 30) BREAKFAST with the EASTER BUNNY: Here is your opportunity to dine with the legendary bunny who will pose with your children while you snap photos. Enjoy breakfast from 8 a.m. till noon at Yianni’s Café, 841 Asbury Ave., next to City Hall. There will also be special sales along Asbury Ave. all day Saturday.
Unusual: (Thurs. March 28-Fri., March 29) THE LAST SUPPER, a re-enactment based on DaVinci’s famous painting, will be presented 7 p.m. both days at the Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave. The pageant is directed by Carol Lothian. Call (609) 399-1915 or visit www.oceancitytabernacle.org.
Traditional: (March 31, Easter Sunday) The Annual Easter Sunrise Service is set for 6:30 a.m. at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terr. This non denominational service is open to the public.
Traditional: (March 31, Easter Sunday) The annual Easter Fashion promenade and competition is set for 1 p.m. on the Boardwalk in front of the Music Pier. There will be categories for Best Dressed Family, Children, Couple, Man, Woman, Teen Male and Female. The Easter Bunny will be stationed by the railing on the south side of the Pier to pose for photos and give out free chocolate rabbits to children.
Really Unusual: (April 13) It’s the 28th Annual DOO DAH Parade eagerly awaited by over 500 BASSET HOUNDS who get to waddle through the downtown and on the Boardwalk starting at noon. Many of the Bassets proudly waddle in costume.
By this time the hounds are completely recovered from exerting themselves in their annual Olympics held on Friday, April 12 at 1 p.m. on the Tabernacle Grounds, 6th and Asbury Ave. Here they engage in strenuous activities like hopping over hurdles, plodding through tunnels and dashing about. Fortunately Bassets are good snoozers and able to recover quickly for the Parade.
The endearing hounds entertain courtesy of the Tri State Basset Hound Rescue League. This is the largest gathering of Bassets in the country (well Michigan may have a few more) but why travel all the way up there when you can see this marvelous conglomeration in Ocean City.
Also really unusual in a sloppy sort of way is the PIE-ASCO held after the Parade in front of the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Dedicated PieAscoites gather to plaster each other with shaving cream pies, the kind the late, great Soupy Sales used on his syndicated TV Shows. (Shaving Cream is easily removed with water and/or a towel and does not damage fabrics.) The contest is free and open to all seeking a new, aesthetic experience. Call (609) 525-9300 or just show up.
Grand Marshal of the Parade this year will be Pretty, Perky Peggy King one of the first to be awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The multi- talented resident of Philadelphia began her career as a big band singer with Charlie Spivak and Ray Anthony and went on to star in early TV on the George Gobel Show. She also made movies with Abbott and Costello and appeared on the Johnny Carson, Jack Benny, Bob Hope and Ed Sullivan Shows. Peggy will star in this year’s Doo Dah Comedy Show, 7 p.m., on Fri., April 12th at the Music Pier.
King will be joined by syndicated cartoonist, John McPherson of “Close to Home” and Betty Lambert of Harmony, Pa., an 80 year old Baton Twirler who still does splits. Lambert will lead the Parade in front of the Ocean City High School Band. The weekend will also feature a free program on the benefits of humor by renowned humorist, Dr. Joel Goodman, who heads the Humor Project of Saratoga Springs, New York. The session is set for 2 p.m., Fri., April 12th at the Ocean City Library, 17th and Simpson.
The Doo Dah Parade features impersonators of legendary comedians, clowns, unusual brigades and individual entries, costumed characters, dogs other than basset hounds, bands and more. For information or to participate in the Parade, call (609) 525-9300, after hours (609) 364-4010. Downtown merchants will feature specials during weekend.
The Ocean City Free Public Library is a happening place. For information, on its many events including the Open MIC NIGHT held in cooperation with the Ocean City Repertory Theater Company, call (609) 399-2434, Ext. 5238.
The Open Mic is held every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Local performers get to display their musical talents. Those who would like to listen, relax and enjoy refreshments are also invited. It’s free and held in meeting room N116.
The OCEAN CITY THEATRE CO., 854 Asbury Ave., has just announced its summer program of family friendly musical entertainment. The shows include Winnie the Pooh, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dorothy Meets Alice, Rapunzel and Uberboy and the Superhero Musical. For information call (609) 398-1118 or access This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
LAST MINUTE NEWS: The deadline for entering the Ocean City Arts Center’s Juried Photography Show has been extended to today, March 27. Call (609) 399-7628.
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