Storm dampens boat parade, doesn’t stop Ocean City’s big summer party night
OCEAN CITY — Vacationers and locals filled the bayside and lagoons Saturday evening to see the iconic Night in Venice boat parade, which came to a bit of an early end because of a short but powerful thunderstorm that scattered some spectators but didn’t stop the partying.
The grand marshal and parade leader was Jim Gardner, retired Action News anchor. People on land cheered and celebrated when they recognized Gardner’s familiar mustachioed face.
Boats began their journey at the Longport Bridge and made their way along the bay and through the lagoons until they arrived at their final planned destination, Tennessee Avenue.
Spectators shouted, waved and laughed as the decorated boats passed.
The spirit of Philadelphia was alive and well with the theme this year being “It’s a Philly Thing.”
There was Philadelphia sports team representation: Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and 76ers. Even sports teams mascots were present: the Eagles’ Swoop, the Phillies Phanatic, the Flyers’ Gritty and Philadelphia Union’s Phang. The decorated houses along the bay and lagoon also showed off Philly pride and culture featuring the Liberty Bell, Mummers, cheesesteaks and the famous movie, “Rocky.”
Aside from the boat carrying the grand marshall, others carried Mayor Jay Gillian, Ocean City Council members, pageant queens and Miss Night Venice and her court.
Prizes were awarded to the best decorated boats and houses.
The best boat in show 25’ and over was the Shanti, by the Toner family, “No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care.” The best boat in show 24’ and under was the Dsea V of the Callahan family with a “Philly Cheesesteak” theme.
Among the decorated houses were a lot of Philadelphia sports teams and “Rocky” represented.
There also were three different houses that were decorated as Barbie’s dream house in honor of the hit “Barbie” movie.
Even partiers were dressed to match the house themes, wearing sports jerseys, Mummers and Rocky costumes and looking like Barbie girls.
As the parade carried on, lightning was spotted and a powerful thunderstorm brought the parade to a screeching halt. The water became rough and the storm so bad boats were docked all along the Bayside Center and the Ocean City Yacht Club. Because of the lack of boat slips some boats had to dock at people’s bayside houses. Spectators also tried their very best to take cover.
The storm took about 20 minutes to pass and once it did some boats headed back to shore to enjoy the parties and others decided to continue on with the parade. The rain didn’t stop them and it sure didn’t stop the fireworks either.
Night In Venice is one of the busiest summer nights on the island with thousands of people crowding bulkheads to see the parade pass and make it to the parties that went on until well into the night.
NIV DECORATING BOAT RESULTS
Boat Number, Name of the Boat, Family’s Name and Theme
Best in show 25’ and overà #263, Shanti, Toner, No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care
Best in show 24’ and under à #248, Dsea V, Callahan, Philly Cheesesteak
1st Place Lead Boat à #202, Icona, Hilferty, Gritty & Dan Hilferty
2nd Place Lead Boat à #203, Gone Fishin’, Elliott, Philly Phanatic
3rd Place Lead Boat à #216, OC Parasail, Richards, Ferko String Band
Best Commercial à #251, Keeper, Herron, Barbie Party
Best Non-profità #220, Reel Addiction, Eachus, Local Elected Officials
Best Decorated 25’ and over
1st Place: #289, Lusea Rose, Badagliacco, Barbie Dream Boat
2nd Place Place: #237, Salty Fish, Fisher, Move Closer to Your World
3rd Place: #291, Master Baiter, Smith, Luau
Best Decorated 24’ and under
1st Place: #229, That’s What Sea Said, Young/Beiswinger, Salty Peanuts
2nd Place: #282, Heading West, Gillespie, Whiz Wit
3rd Place: #246, Delivering Shims, Staley, Lets Go Phillies!
Best Comic 25’ and over
1st Place: #253, Tipsy, Pau Hana, The Geator with the Heater
2nd Place: #241, Brook Sea III, Brook, It’s A Philly Thing
Best Comic 24’ and under
1st Place: #264, No Name, Carleton, Grease The Poles
2nd Place: #287, No Name, Randazzo, All Things Rocky
3rd Place: #242, Dozens of Dollars, Pace, Llamas Love Cheesesteaks
Best Musical 25’ and over
1st Place: #208, Moover, Moss, Night In Venice Tributes Jerry Blavat
Best Musical 24’ and under
1st Place: #279, The Three “C”s, Lawless, South Philly Menu
2nd Place: #223, No Name, Cates, Tribute to Jerry Blavat
Most Original 25’ and over
1st Place: #245, Eliza – Gail, Higgins, Phildelphia’s Channel 6 – Action Cruise
2nd Place: #297, Luna Tuna, Senatore, Union Construction Workers
3rd Place: #244, Shore Bet, Mancill, 76 Traffic, Always a Shore Bet in Philadelphia
Most Original 24’ and under
1st Place: #258, Reel Nauti, Pitman, It’s Always Sunny with Noreaster Nick!
2nd Place: #271, Reeling Rocco, Leo, The Best of Philly
3rd Place: #280, Brown eyed Girls, Terry, American Girls
HOUSE RESULTS
#, Last Name, Theme
Zone 1:
1st Place: #72, Allen, Grease The Poles
2nd Place: #31, Weckerly, It’s A Philly Thing
3rd Place: #76, Delibertis, 6ABC On The Wooder
Zone 2:
1st Place: #143, McMahon, Philly Phans
2nd Place: #132, Gabriel, Come On Barbie, Let’s Go Party!
3rd Place: #105, Greene, Philly Love
Zone 3:
1st Place: #22, Kelly, We Love Philly!
2nd Place: #33, Jenkins/Burgess, It’s A Philly Thing
3rd Place: #20, Kelly/Fitzpatrick, It’s Always Chilly in Philly
Zone 4:
1st Place: #36, Hernandez, Crazy Philly Phans
2nd Place: #13, Wiegand, It’s A Philly Thing
3rd Place: #46, Walker/LoSasso, Philly Twist
Zone 5:
1st Place: #79, Thornton, A Magical Night in Venice
2nd Place: #71, Lawver/Weber, It’s A Shore Thing
3rd Place: #52, Sage, Chez Phanatic & Phriends
3rd Place: #30, Reardon/O’Connells, Philly Pever
Zone 6:
1st Place: #26, Myers, The Moshulu – A Taste of Philly
2nd Place: #85, Smith, It’s A SWOOP Thing
Zone 7:
1st Place: #111, Miller, Rocky Philadelphia’s Hometown Hero
2nd Place: #102, Davidson, The Steaks Are High, It’s A Philly Thing…Bring Us A Championship!
3rd Place: #92, Scanlons/Brandenberges, Game On!
Zone 8:
1st Place: #67, Redmond, It’s A Philly Thing
2nd Place: #82, Seitzinger/Boyle, Night in Dublin
3rd Place: #118, Dorney, Boat House Row
Zone 9:
1st Place: #41, Wiggins/Moffet, Traditions
2nd Place: #89, Rosenberg, It’s A Philly Thing
3rd Place: #88, Marshall/Rombola, Dilly Dilly
Zone 10:
1st Place: #171, Vaules, Grease The Pole
2nd Place: #16, Handen, It’s A Philly Thing – Cheesteaks
3rd Place: #64, Sutera, #WeAreOCNJ
Zone 11:
1st Place: #23, Huber, Motown
2nd Place: #134, Ruh, Tailgate Like OC Sunny Harbor – It’s A Philly Thing
3rd Place: #169, Pellegrino, It’s A Philly Thing
Zone 12:
1st Place: #147, Votta, Pizza Party!
2nd Place: #146, Hill, It’s A Philly Thing/Eagles
3rd Place: #163, Seeburger, Phanatic About OC!
Zone 13:
1st Place: #35, Murphy, It’s A Philly Thing: Celebrating Philly Things
2nd Place: #49, Rafetto, Xfinity Live!
3rd Place: #63, DeLeo, Philly Sports
Zone 14 (Best Condo/Commercial):
1st Place: #75, Harbor House Condo, Philly Love Is In The House: The Harbor House
2nd Place: #165, Marina Mews Condos, It’s A Knock Out
3rd Place: #87, Bay Club Condos, Bay Club Celebrates “It’s A Philly Thing!”
3rd Place: #164: 10th Street Wharf, Pretzels on the Bay
By CAMRYN SCHULTHEIS /For the Sentinel
