Champions theme a hit with decorators of boats, homes along the parade route
OCEAN CITY — This year’s Night in Venice theme was popular among those competing in the boat- and home-decorating contests as America’s Greatest Family Resort held the 70th anniversary event July 26.
The theme, “70 Years of Champions,” provided an opportunity for people to honor their favorite Philadelphia teams with displays celebrating the Eagles’ 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and former Birds head coach Andy Reid on Feb. 9 in Super Bowl LIX, and the 41-33 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
Grand marshals were Philadelphia Flyers great Bernie Parent and Philadelphia Eagles legend Vince Papale, along with Flyers mascot Gritty.
In the boat category, JABAMZ took second place for EAGLES and ShoreBet took third for E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!.
Robb-Sullivan was second with ELGSES – Super Bowl Champs and Chiumento was second with Eagles are Going to Disneyland! Jenkins/Burgess was third with 70 Years of NIV with Philly Champs!
Many honored the Philadelphia Phillies for their two World Series victories, in 1980 over the Kansas City Royals and 2008 over the Tampa Bay Rays.
With the Philly Phanatic at the helm, Joe’s Jawn, Platt took second for Marsh on Deck. The Yurgin family took third for Local Legends/Founding Fathers of Philly.
Others marked the triumphs of the Philadelphia Flyers, who won the Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975, or the Philadelphia 76ers, who won the NBA championship in 1967 and 1983.
South Jersey Yacht Sales won best lead boat with Parent and Gritty aboard.
At least one boat and one home marked the Miracle on Ice, the USA hockey team’s stunning victory over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
The Jemmer/Manna entry took first for 1980 USA Gold Medal Hockey Team and the Cassidy family was first for Miracle On Ice.
Others diverged from the theme, instead celebrating local happenings, pop culture, musicians and Wonderland Pier as 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, passed through Great Egg Harbor Bay.
Earlier in the week, the Miss Night in Venice Committee crowned Giuliana Guardascione Miss Night in Venice 2025. Her court included first runner-up Noley Schenck, second runner-up Aarelene Sanchez and third runner-up Madison Richards.
BOAT RESULTS
Best in show 25’ and over #224, Eliza Gail, Higgins, Wonderland Boardwalk Champs
Best in show 24’ and under #284, That’s What Sea Said, Young & Beiswinger Families, Scooby Doo – Champion of Saturday Morning
Best Commercial #260, Sassy, Pau Hana Tiki Boats, Sunday Night Fever
Best Lead Boat #200, Sponsored by South Jersey Yacht Sales, Bernie Parent & Gritty
Best Decorated 25’ and over
1st Place: #230, No Name, Rafetto, Night In Venice Carnival – The Greatest Show on Earth!
2nd Place: #261, Nautilus, Schwinn, Philadelphia Union
3rd Place: #231, ShoreBet, Mancill, E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!
Best Decorated 24’ and under
1st Place: #235, The Jemmer, Manna, 1980 USA Gold Medal Hockey Team
2nd Place: #232, JABAMZ, Sztenderowicz, EAGLES
3rd Place: #239, Taker Under, Sweeney, The Beatles
Best Musical 24’ under
1st Place: #287, Dozens of Dollars, Pace, Celtic Warriors
Most Original 25’ and over
1st Place: #249, YOLO, Muckenfuss, Championship
2nd Place: #234, The Grateful Fred, Bornhardt, Jaws 50th Anniversary
3rd Place: #279, Andiamo, Angstadt, Cheers to 70 Years!
Most Original 24’ under
1st Place: #286, Heading West, Gillespie, O.C. Open
2nd Place: #247, Joe’s Jawn, Platt, Phanatic at the helm, Marsh on Deck
3rd Place: #238, Reel Nauti, Maceno, Nor’Easter Nick – Champions in Weather!
HOUSE RESULTS
Zone 1:
1st Place: #65, Hornyak, Celebrate The Magic
2nd Place: #98, Dolaway, 80s Night In Venice
3rd Place: #135, Yurgin, Local Legends/Founding Fathers of Philly
Zone 2:
1st Place: #30, Greene, Bleeding”Greene”
2nd Place: #164, Eni, Phillies 1980
3rd Place: #110, Benner, We Are The Champions
Zone 3:
1st Place TIE: #57, Kelly/Fitzpatrick, When Irish Isles Are Smiling
1st Place TIE: #150, Tamburri-Wolfe, 70 Years of Champions
2nd Place: #40, Robb-Sullivan, “ELGSES” – Super Bowl Champs
3rd Place: #76, Jenkins/Burgess, 70 Years of NIV With Philly Champs!
Zone 4:
1st Place: #78, Hernandez, Local Legends
2nd Place: #26, Thornton, Champions
3rd Place: #49, Valdes, Grease The Poles!
Zone 5:
1st Place: #79, Thornton, Broadway On The Bay!
2nd Place: #120, Weber, Bananas About O.C.
3rd Place: #94, Rossiter, FAU & Red, White and Blue!
Zone 6:
1st Place: #81, Myers, Boardwalk Memories
2nd Place: #39, Chiumento, Eagles are Going to Disneyland!
3rd Place: #99, Raganato, Celebration on Broad Street
Zone 7:
1st Place: #112, Miller, Underdog Champions
2nd Place: #93, Davidson, We Should’ve Got A Bigger Boat
3rd Place: #91, McCarraher/Prettyman, McGillan Old Ale House Celebrates 70 Years of Champions
Zone 8:
1st Place: #118, Dorney, Wonderland
2nd Place: #86, Borkowski, Barefoot Blue Jean Night
3rd Place: #144, Dardine, Club Clams Casino
Zone 9:
1st Place: #146, Maxwell, Viking By the Sea – Raging in O.C.
2nd Place: #128, Derr, No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care!
3rd Place: #53, Hoffman, NASCAR Champions
Zone 10:
1st Place: #52, Church, The Best 70 Years
2nd Place: #80, Vaules, Rocky – A Classic Philly Champion
3rd Place TIE: #113, Devine, Joey Chestnut – Hot Dog Eating Champion
3rd Place TIE: #59, Schulte, Ocean City…The Gold Standard for Greatest Family Resort
Zone 11:
1st Place: #127, Ruh, Champion of The Party, Red Solo Cup
2nd Place: #24, Weigel, JAWS
3rd Place: #73, Kuhlberg, No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care
Zone 12:
1st Place: #26, Cassidy, Miracle On Ice
2nd Place: #51, Votta, Commotion in the Ocean
Zone 13:
1st Place: #133, Van Stone, Who Greased The Poles?
2nd Place: #117, Gemmi, City of Champions, Board Street on the Bay!
3rd Place: #119, O’Neil, 70 Years of Champions
Zone 14 (Condo/Commercial):
1st Place TIE: #77, Bay Club Condos, Honoring Our O.C.B.P. Champions
1st Place TIE: #36, Harbor House Condos, Saloon By The Sea
2nd Place: #89, Marina Mews, Mutiny At the Mews
3rd Place: #74, Bay Village, Breakfast with Champions
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
