OCEAN CITY — Night In Venice, one of the longest, continuously running Boat Parades and bay front home celebrations in the world, marks it 56th celebration on July 24.
The parade has never been cancelled because of the weather or for any other reason but there have been some close calls.
City Public Relations Director, Mark Soifer, remembers a time about 15 years ago when Philadelphia TV anchor, Larry Kane, was grand marshal. It had stormed all night before the event and area weather forecasters were predicting a complete washout with flooding for the day.
“Larry came to Ocean City with a van full of foul weather gear,” recalls Soifer. “By the time he arrived at the Yacht Club to board his boat, the sky was clear and the sun was shining.
“We’ve also had rain or threats of rain until a few hours before start time,” notes Soifer who has worked on the event for 39 years. “But the skies have always cleared.”
Weather hasn’t been the only factor that has threatened the parade.
“One year there was a complete turnover of the committee and it was touch and go about whether we could physically handle the event,” said Soifer. It was then that Harbor Master, George Mimnaugh and Dave Winslow stepped in to rescue the event.”
High gas prices and a down turn in the economy have all been recent factors that have caused concern. Somehow, the event always manages to sail on. “We keep our fingers crossed and the committee works hard,” said Soifer.
Night In Venice is set for Sat., July 24th starting 7:30 p.m. at the Longport Bridge, the north point of the Island. Boats will sail along the bay and in and out of lagoons to 23rd Street and South Harbor. There will be grandstands set up along street ends so that the public can enjoy the parade. Seating is free.
A total of $5,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the best decorated lagoon homes and boats. Cash prizes of $1,000 each will be given to the Best Decorated Boat and Home. Three $500 prizes will be awarded to runners-up in both categories.
All boat owners who enter the Parade will be given a $50 cash card to enhance their decorations, a photo of their boat sailing in the parade and commemorative captain’s hats. Both boaters and homeowners will receive a commemorative mug for entering the event.
Optional decorating theme for homes and boats is “Some Enchanted Evening.”
To enter a boat or home in the competition, call or stop at City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave., Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 609-525-9300 or email msoifer@hotmail. com or fax 609-399-0374. Forms can be downloaded at www.ocnj.us, click on Night In Venice information. After hours or on weekends call 609-364-4010. Entry in the competition is free.
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Do you think it's appropriate for BLM to call for "Burning down the city" and "Black Vigilantes" because…
