OCEAN CITY — America’s Greatest Family Resort will be the scene of a lot of long-eared, tail-wagging waddlers Saturday, April 18, when hundreds of basset hounds join the annual Doo Dah Parade.
The parade, which steps off a noon on Asbury Avenue at Sixth Street, is Ocean City’s season-opening celebration of all things humorous, marking the return of spring and end of tax season.
It features marching bands, floats and a brigade of basset hounds traversing Asbury Avenue from Sixth to 12th streets, then back north on the boardwalk.
Philadelphia Flyers great Mark Howe will be the grand marshal of the parade.
A legendary defenseman, Howe played 16 seasons in the NHL, including 10 with the Flyers. He reached the Stanley Cup finals three times, and was a finalist for the Norris Trophy three times.
Howe will be available for free autographs and pictures at the Ocean City Music Pier for an hour after the parade.
According to information from the city, the first Doo Dah Parade was held April 19, 1986. It was based on the original Doo Dah Parade, a spoof of the Rose Bowl Parade held in Pasadena, Calif.
Ocean City’s event is always scheduled close to Tax Day and serves as a way to blow off steam after filing income taxes. It’s also a great way to welcome a new season.
As part of the parade, Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue will host its annual Boardwaddle.
“It’s fun, a happy-go-lucky, comical, enjoy-your-dog-breed event,” said Valerie Mazzei, the organization’s president. “For anybody who loves a basset hound, it has become a tradition.”
Mazzei said she became enamored with the breed after finding a stray more than 20 years ago.
Lincoln “became our family pet and was the best dog ever and changed our trajectory on life,” she said.
Behind the smiles and floppy ears is a powerful mission, according to Mazzei.
The Boardwaddle Brigade is the largest fundraiser of the year for Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming neglected and homeless basset hounds.
“This event is not only fun — it’s critical to our mission,” Mazzei said. “Every dollar raised helps us give these dogs a second chance at life.”
The Mays Landing resident said the organization has been taking part in the parade for 28 years, since former city public relations guru Mark Soifer reached out to a former president.
“It was a hit from day one,” Mazzei said.
Thousands of spectators line the parade route and gather to see adoptable dogs.
But the parade is only part of the weekend-long fundraiser.
Mazzei said planning begins in January.
“A lot of effort goes into pulling this all together, having 500 basset hounds in one place,” Mazzei said, noting last year people came from as far away as England and this year’s registration list includes residents of California, Chicago, Arkansas, Florida and Tennessee.
Festivities begin with the Basset Hound Olympics on April 17. Registration is at 11 a.m. and the games begin at noon at the Ocean City Tabernacle grounds on the corner of Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. Events include the 10-meter sprint, 15-meter hurdles, high jump and obstacle course.
Later that evening, the Pawction Dinner begins with a cocktail hour at 5 p.m. at Linwood Country Club. Tickets must be purchased in advance at tristatebassets.org.
The live auction includes basset hound-themed items. There also is a silent auction, raffle table and prize giveaways.
Parade registration is 10 to 11:45 a.m. April 18 at the Tabernacle. Afterward, a picnic is held at Carey Stadium between Fifth and Sixth streets just off the boardwalk. The weekend wraps up with an ice cream social at the Doggie Beach Ice Cream Bar & Boutique in Ventnor.
Visit tristatebassets.org for more information.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
