Doo Dah and Earth in Ocean City

Ocean City will combine its Doo Dah days and Earth Day into a celebration of “Mirth and Earth.”
A series of events beginning with the rollicking Basset Hound Olympics and ending with an expanded Earth Day program are scheduled with the colorful Doo Dah Parade sandwiched in between.
The laid back Basset Hound Olympics kick off the weekend at 1 p.m. on Fri., April 17 when the floppy eared pooches gather at the Tabernacle grounds, 6th and Asbury Ave., for their annual athletic extravaganza.
The nonchalant canines will attempt to sprint, leap over or walk around hurdles and negotiate tunnels while their best friends urge them on. The results are hilarious and admission is free.
The contest is sponsored by the Tri State Basset Hound Rescue League, a group that will bring over 500 bassets to the Doo Dah Parade the next day.
On Friday, April 17 world renowned humorists, Dr. Joel Goodman and Margie Ingram of the Humor Project in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. will present two sessions at the Henry S. Knight Building, the City’s Public Works headquarters, 12th and Haven Ave.
Admission is free thanks to a grant from the Ocean City Library.
Topics covered will be “Top Ten Hints for Aging Well (at any age or stage of life)” from 7 to 8 p.m. and “Save Your Dollars and Sense of Humor: Humor to Tickle Tough Times” from 8:15 to 9:15 p.m.
The 24th Annual Doo Dah Parade begins at noon on Sat., April 18th. Starting at 6th and Asbury Ave., it proceeds to 12th and Asbury, then to the Boardwalk ending at the Music Pier.
This year’s grand marshal is Bill Dana, (Watch this Web site for Bill Dana’s upcoming interview by Herald columnist Jim Vanore.) creator of Jose Jimenez, whose career spans over 50 years in show business.
Dana starred on the NBC-TV Bill Dana Show, was a guest on numerous TV sitcoms, was in the movies, wrote the Get Smart show and segments of All In The Family, sold thousands of records based on his characters and in 1970 created the first series of environmental cartoons to be syndicated nation-wide.
Following the Parade, the popular PieAsco will be held in front of the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorln Terrace.
When famed comedian Soupy Sales gives the signal, folks sitting in grandstands will smoosh each other with shaving cream pies, the kind Soupy used on his legendary TV shows.
All who participate will get a certificate signed by Soupy and a face full of shaving cream.
At 8 p.m. on Saturday, Bill Dana will recreate his popular comedy routines at the Doo Dah Comedy show inside the Music Pier.
Impersonators of legendary comedians will perform with Dana. Admission is $10 and includes a dessert buffet following the show.
Tickets are available at City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave., 609-525-9300 or online at www.ocnj.us. On weekends call 609-364-4010.
The City’s Earth Day celebration is set from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bayside Center on Sunday, April 19th. The program includes environmental displays, green giveaways, entertainment, and children’s activities.
Bikers from Ocean City’s Third Annual End to End Bike Tour will start their ride 10 a.m. at 59th St. and finish at the Center to help kick-off the proceedings.
There will be more than 30 exhibitors, and give-aways include light bulbs, cloth bags, pencils, pens, and decals.
Entertaining are The Turtle Singer at 11 a.m., The Philadelphia Zoo at 12:45 p.m. and Smithsonian recording artist and story teller, Jim Albertson at 2 p.m.
Other features during the day include the Wetlands Institute turtle area, crafts and games for children, a remote by 94.3 F.M. Radio and selections by the World’s Only Wind Chimes Band of Ocean City.
There will be an environmental awards ceremony at noon.
The Wetlands Institute will run boat rides along the bay for a fee. Food vendors include Island Grill, Scully’s, and the Special Olympics.
Free parking and trolley service to the Bayside Center will be available from the Sixth St. parking lot at the north side of the fire house. Earth Day sponsors include Grand Rental Station, the Great American Trolley Co., and Skinny Water.
For more information on the Earth Day Celebration call 609-525-9333.
Participating down town merchants will mark Doo Dah Days April 17-19 by absorbing the sales tax for all purchases.