OCEAN CITY– The City of Ocean City offered this guide to the Night in Venice boat parade that starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 23.
Where does the parade route begin and end?
The boat parade begins near the Ocean City-Longport toll bridge and travels along the bayside to Tennessee Avenue, looping in and out of lagoons along the way.
Where can I watch the parade?
To view the Night In Venice boat parade, grandstands will be set up at street ends along the bay from Battersea Road to 16th Street and also at Tennessee Avenue. These are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Streets include: Battersea Rd., North Street, First Street, Sixth Street, Seventh Street, 11th Street, 13th Street, 15th Street, 16th Street and Tennessee Avenue. Spectators with their own seating can access the parade route from any other public street end and from the bayside park at Second Street.
The Ninth Street Bridge also provides a good vantage point. All pedestrians and bicyclists should use the Shared Use Bike Path and stay to the south side shoulder for viewing. No persons will be allowed to bring chairs for seating onto the bridge. At no time will persons block the free movement of the Shared Use Bike Path. No open alcoholic beverages are permitted on the bridge at any time. Persons are not permitted to walk along the bridge with motor vehicle traffic. Ocean City Police will be present monitoring the bridge while the parade is in progress for assistance.
Tickets for a special viewing area at the Bayside Center, 520 Bay Avenue, are sold out. This area includes a picnic area, food for sale (to benefit the Junior Raiders football and cheerleading squads) and bleacher seating plus DJ entertainment and live entertainment by the Uptown String Band.
What does it cost?
The parade is free to watch at all locations except the Bayside Center.
Where can I park?
Free parking and shuttle service will run starting at 4 p.m. Parking will be available at:
– Ocean City Municipal Airport: 25th Street and Bay Avenue
– Soccer Field at Tennessee Avenue: Off Shelter Road
– Ocean City Community Center: 1735 Simpson Avenue
Shuttles will drop off spectators at street ends where they can watch the parade and return them to the parking lots afterward. The shuttle also drops off at the Bayside Center. The service is free and will be available until 10 p.m.
Parking restrictions begin at midnight Friday (July 23) through midnight Saturday (July 24) for the following locations:
– Both sides of Bay Avenue between 16th Street and 24th Street
– The east side of Bay Avenue between 14th Street and 16th Street.
– West 16th Street, West 17th Street and West 18th Street will have parking restrictions in place.
Parking regulations will be strictly enforced. Violators will be ticketed and in severe cases, the vehicles will be towed if public safety is affected. This is to allow for safe passage of all pedestrian and vehicle traffic and emergency vehicle access to isolated areas of the bayfront.
What is the Night in Venice theme?
The event’s theme is “Mummers: Struttin’ on the Bay,” a tribute to the colorful costumes, themed entries and distinctive string bands that define Philadelphia’s annual New Year’s Day parade and Ocean City’s Tuesday nights on the Boardwalk. This theme is optional.
When and where are the fireworks?
Night in Venice will include a fireworks display launched after the parade from a barge in the bay north of the Ninth Street Bridge, roughly off Third Street, at approximately 9 p.m. The display should be best viewed from street ends or the bayfront between the Ocean City-Longport toll bridge and 16th Street.
Who participates?
Anyone with a boat or anyone with a house along the bayfront parade route can participate by decorating their boat or home. Judges pick winners among boats, homes and condominium complexes.
How do I participate?
You can register your boat or house online at ocnj.us/niv.
How can I see results of the contest?
Results will be announced on ocnj.us and oceancityvacation.com by noon Sunday, July 24, and awards can be picked up starting at 1 p.m. July 24 from the City Hall Welcome Center.
Are paddleboards and kayaks part of the parade?
For safety reasons, paddleboards and kayaks are not part of the Night in Venice parade.
Who sponsors Night in Venice?
ACME Markets is the presenting sponsor and will have a stand at the Bayside Center.
Will there be a grand marshal?
Jay Wright, recently retired Villanova University men’s basketball coach, and his wife, Patty, will be grand marshals and will be joined by family members. Jackie Evancho, who will be performing a Sunday (July 24) concert with the Ocean City Pops, will be in the parade. “Dancing With the Stars” professionals Keo Motsepe and Anna Trebunskaya, who will be part of the “Motown With a Twist” show on Friday (July 22), also will be in the parade.
What else is happening on Night in Venice Weekend?
Motown With a Twist will bring a night of the Motor City’s most famous hits to the Ocean City Music Pier on Friday, July 22, and the show will feature “Dancing With the Stars” professionals Keo Motsepe and Anna Trebunskaya performing with finalists from the show, as well as vocals by finalists from “American Idol,” “The Voice” and “America’s Got Talent.” Tickets for the show ($30 and $25) are on sale now. Visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call (609) 399-6111, or stop by the Music Pier Box Office, the City Hall Welcome Center or the Roy Gillian Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway.
Jackie Evancho will be performing with the Ocean City Pops in a special concert 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 24, at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Tickets for her show are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling (609) 399-6111.