What’s Happening in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – A new category has been added to this year’s Doo Dah Parade set for April 13.
It will be for the best entry depicting the “We Are Ready” theme emphasizing that Ocean City is prepared to accommodate its vacationers for the upcoming season.
The City’s Tourism Commission is running TV commercials emphasizing the point in the Philadelphia area and our Chamber of Commerce and City are promoting the theme on their respective websites and Facebook. We encourage social media enthusiasts to post it and tweet it to their many friends.
Dietz and Watson, the Parade’s major sponsor, has generously agreed to donate one of its hefty, semi-boneless Smoked hams as the grand prize for the best entry. All entrants in the category will receive special certificates of appreciation.
Grand Marshal of the Parade will be Pretty, Perky, Peggy King, one of the first 100 legends to have a star installed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Peggy began her career as a big band singer, then moved on to TV and movies before retiring to marry and raise a family. She has since returned to the spotlight to host a weekly radio show. The legendary star will perform at the Doo Dah Comedy Show, on April 12, the day before the Parade at the Music Pier.
Other honorees will include John Mc Pherson, the syndicated cartoonist of “Close to Home” and Betty Lambert, an 80 year old Baton Twirler who will lead the Parade in front of the Ocean City High School Band.
If you’d like to march in the Parade as a humorous entry call (609) 525-9300 during working hours, (609) 364-4010 after hours or access www.ocnj.us for an entry form. Entry is free and you will receive a free T Shirt and Hotdog snack after the Parade from Dietz and Watson.
2-4 p.m. (Sat) March 30, Breakfast with Bunny, Yanni’s Café, 841 Asbury Ave., 8 a.m. till noon. Also special sales along Asbury Ave. all day.
Easter Weekend Events kick-off March (28-29) when the Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave., presents The Last Supper, a re-enactment based on DaVinci’s famous painting at 7 p.m. directed by Carol Lothian. Admission is free. Call (609) 399-1915 or visit www.oceancitytabernacle.org.
(March 30) The Woofin’ Paws Pet Fashion Show invites any pet that will not eat another pet to compete in categories including Best Dressed, Best Bonnet, Swimsuit, Pet/Owner Look Alike, Cutest Tail Wagger, Intelligent Pet Tricks, Most Patriotic. Starts 11 a.m., Registration 10 a.m. There is a $5 entry fee that benefits the Ocean City Humane Society, one fee for all categories. Ends with a Massive Belly Rub in Memory of Ocean City’s Legendary Doggie, Barclie.
(March 30) The Great Easter Egg Hunt set for March 30, 2:30 p.m. between 11th and 14th Sts. Four age groups: 0-2 and 3-4 at 11th St.; 5 and 6 years at 12 St. and 7 years at 13 St. Each group hunts in a separate Circle. Only 0-2 may have a parent accompany them.
(March 31) Annual Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m. at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terr. Followed by the Easter Fashion Competition at 1 p.m. on Boardwalk in front of Pier. The Easter Bunny will arrive to pose for photos and present chocolate bunnies to children.
Breaking News! The Ocean City Historical Museum, 17th and Simpson Ave., will present Woodrow Wilson in Cape May County on March 21 at 7 p.m. County Clerk, Rita Marie Fulginiti, will discuss how Wilson’s progressive ideas had a lasting impact on New Jersey. The Museum will also mark the 100th anniversary of Wilson’s inauguration. The event is free. Seating is limited.
Fishing for History: To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Ocean City Fishing Club, the Museum and Club are producing a summer exhibit. If you have memorabilia, awards, fishing equipment that pertain to the Fishing Club and would like to loan them for the exhibit, please contact the Museum: Jeff@ocnjmuseum.org or (609) 399-1801.
Last Minute News: Buddhist Monastics and others walking from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C. for the cause of Peace will stop in Ocean City for Community Potluck Dinners on March 20 and March 21. On Wednesday 6:30 p.m., they will be at the Bayside Center, 520 Bay Ave. for dinner and Thursday at the Aquatic and Fitness Senior Room, 17th and Simpson Ave., for a presentation and dinner at 630 p.m.
The public is invited and encouraged to bring a gift of food and/or provide home stay accommodations. Georgina Shanley is coordinating the event locally. Contact her at (609) 442-2407 or shanleyg2001@yahoo.com.
The Ocean City Library continues its After School Movies on (March 20) with Wreck It Ralph (PG) and (March 27) with I Am Number 4 (PG 13). The Free movies start 3 p.m. in room N110 or N116.
Friends and volunteers of the Library are requesting donations of gently used books.
They respectfully request no water or storm damaged books, no magazines, no textbooks. Please drop off books at the Circulation Desk of the Library, 17th and Simpson Ave.
The Friends and volunteers also announce that May 9 will be the date of their Authors’ Tea. Theresa Tull will discuss her book, A Long Way from Runnemede: One Woman’s Foreign Service Journey. Further details will be coming soon.
The Library also continues it popular series, TED Talk, on Sat., March 23 at 11 a.m. in Lecture Room N110. Admission is free. Featured in the Video and Discussion Series is Alexandra Drane who has founded four companies inspiring people to lead “healthier, happier and more engaged lives through the use of innovative technology.” She will also talk about a non-profit movement she launched in 2008 aimed at helping people understand, communicate and have honored their end of life wishes.
The Ocean City Arts Center, 17th and Simpson Ave, is adding a new class to its Spring Session, Elements of Art for ages 3 to 6 beginning April 17 from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. The current Elements of Art Class will also begin its Spring Session on April 17 and will run from 1 to 1:45 p.m. The new class is being added due to the popularity of the afternoon class.
Elements of Art taught by Liz Stamm utilizes art to expand children’s creative and motor skills while doing fun art activities. This is also an opportunity for children to become experienced in a school environment if they have not attended pre-school.
The course runs eight weeks and costs $90 plus an annual $15 student Art Center membership if needed. Call (609) 399-7628 for information.