OCEAN CITY — Hundreds of basset hounds braved the gloomy weather, while twice as many extra-long ears flapped in the steady breeze, as Ocean City welcomed spring and celebrated the end of tax season with the annual Doo Dah Parade on April 13.
The parade, Ocean City’s season-opening celebration of all things humorous, features marching bands, floats and a brigade of hundreds of basset hounds traversing Asbury Avenue from Sixth to 12th streets, then back north on the boardwalk.
Brian Merendino of Colonia said his hounds George, 8, and Charlotte, 10, were not enjoying the weather.
“They hate it. They would rather be on the couch,” Merendino said.
He agreed that the wind was challenging.
“A lot of flapping,” he said, noting he and his wife have been taking part in the parade for nine years.
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. Former Ocean City publicist Mark Soifer brought the parade to the resort.
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 in America’s Greatest Family Resort.
Philadelphia Flyers great Brian Propp was the grand marshal. He surpassed 400 goals, 1,000 games and 1,000 points in a 15-season National Hockey League career.
Propp is a member of the Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame and is third on the team’s all-time scoring list with 850 career points. Propp played in five Stanley Cup championships and five NHL all-star games. He went on to become a sports broadcaster, entrepreneur, business relationship and development guru and a philanthropist in the community.
“I’m honored to have Brian lead our parade this year,” Mayor Jay Gillian said. “He’s a legend to all Flyers fans and a class act in every way.”
Participants included the Ocean City High School Marching Band, the Hobo Band, the Jersey String Band, the Woodland String Band, Crescent Shriner’s Mini Cars, the Fred Hall Orchestra and the Atlantic City Fire Department Sandpipers Band.
As always, the Ocean City police and fire departments were on hand to keep all of the overzealous hound dog fans in line, while Dan Kelchner and his crew from the Community Services Department made sure everything operated smoothly.
Dietz and Watson returned as the event sponsor.
Lee and Ellen Marsh, of Magnolia, Del., brought Lulu, Cain and Elvis Lee to the island for the parade.
“We foster for Tri-State,” Lee said, noting they spend a lot of time with basset hounds.
“We love them,” Ellen said, adding it was the third straight year of them participating.
Lee said they have had the dogs for decades.
“I gave my wife her first basset hound before we got married,” he said.
The couple thought the dogs were enjoying the weather.
“I think they are liking it because it’s cool; I don’t know about the humans,” Lee quipped.
Beverly and Nathan Wilkinson and daughter Mailey were visiting from Quakertown, Pa., with Dudley and Cannoli. It was the sixth time for the adults and their pooches but the first for Mailey.
“They’re very kind and sleepy and really cuddly,” Nathan said of why they like the breed.
Likewise, Roger Maxson of Bristol, Conn., who was visiting for a second year with Sully, said “we just love the breed,” noting “their lifestyle kind of fits mine, the older I get, and they’re just lovable dogs; like a plush toy that walks.”
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
