OCEAN CITY — It doesn’t quite draw the crowds of July 4, the annual celebration of the nation’s victory in the war for independence, but it’s a close second.
America’s Greatest Family Resort is getting set to host the 70th anniversary of Night in Venice on Saturday, July 26, and has activities in abundance.
Councilman David Winslow, longtime parade organizer, said the event is so popular partially because it’s uniquely Ocean City.
“We have First Night in January and we have Night in Venice in the summer,” he said. “It’s a longstanding family tradition, not only for folks who have houses on the bay but for others who go to street ends to watch it.”
Winslow said it provides an opportunity for people to get together with friends and family and enjoy a midsummer event.
“It’s a real cheerful festival that we put on every year. A lot of people plan their vacations around it,” he said. “I’ll start getting calls the day after the parade asking when it is next year. It’s such an ingrained tradition in the culture of Ocean City.”
The highlight, of course, is the wildly popular decorated boat parade and house decorating contest, in which hundreds go all out with themes ranging from pop culture to sports, politics and world events. The boat parade starts at 6:30 p.m. in the north end and proceeds south to Tennessee Avenue, meandering in and out of lagoons along the route.
The city always offers a suggested theme, and this year it’s “70 Years of Champions,” providing an opportunity for people to honor the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles or any other championship team, individual or group from the past seven decades.
The boat parade and decorated bayfront home contests provide a chance to be part of the highlight of the summer season in Ocean City.
Vessels filled with family and friends, others with youth actors and actresses and still more with city ambassadors such as Miss Ocean City Taylor Mulford, Junior Miss Ocean City Sarah Smith and Little Miss Ocean City Taegen Vivarelli pass through Great Egg Harbor Bay.
Grand marshals and guests will be Philadelphia Flyers great Bernie Parent and Philadelphia Eagles legend Vince Papale, along with Flyers mascot Gritty.
“Philadelphia and Ocean City have always been connected, and I’m excited that Gritty will be helping us celebrate Night in Venice,” Mayor Jay Gillian said. “He’s a great representative of Philly, and we’ll be ready to give him a warm welcome.”
Spectators fill every available horizontal surface to watch the parade, viewing it from vantage points high and low, on land and sea. They line the beaches in the Northend, stand on decks and docks, sit in boats and splash around on floats to see the spectacle.
The vantage point from a boat is far superior to from shore, providing the opportunity to see the elaborately decorated houses and the massive parties they host.
The city’s Community Services Department, led by Dan Kelchner, runs the show, providing catered food from sponsors to all of the lead boats and making sure everyone gets aboard the correct vessel at the Ocean City Yacht Club.
The city crowns the young woman who collects the most money for charity as Miss Night in Venice. She and her court get a prominent spot in the parade.
Tickets are on sale for a viewing area at the Bayside Center at 520 Bay Ave. Activities there will include a picnic spot and snack stand, face-painting, a DJ and bleacher seating. Tickets are $6 for children (12 and under) and $10 for adults. The area will remain open and provide a spot to view the fireworks display after the parade.
The fireworks display is scheduled for about 9:30 p.m.
The parade is free to watch from other areas, and bleacher seating will be set up at street ends with a free shuttle service running from remote parking areas.
Other weekend events include a concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 25. Boat House Row: The Yacht Rock Experience will perform a special concert at the Music Pier to open Night in Venice weekend. The six-piece band will perform smooth hits from the 1970s and 1980s, including music from Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Steely Dan and Toto. Ticket prices are $30 and $25 (inclusive of fees).
Tickets are available at oceancityvacation.com, by calling (609) 399-6111 or in-person at the Music Pier Box Office, City Hall, the Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway and the 46th Street Information Center.
The third annual Night in Venice 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk is scheduled for the morning of July 26. The 5K race will start at 8 a.m. at 19th Street and Haven Avenue, and the one-mile walk will begin soon after. The race will follow a flat, out-and-back course along Haven Avenue and the adjacent bike path. Online registration and more information are available at runsignup.com/niv5k.
“I want to thank Dave Winslow and the Night in Venice Committee, the city and chamber teams, our sponsors, all the marine safety personnel and the community for putting this event together,” Gillian said. “I’m looking forward to another fun year for Night in Venice.”
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
