What’s Happening in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – What’s happening in Ocean City? Well, there are a couple of things…
July 16: The Night In Venice Parade is set for 7:30 p.m., Sat., July 16 starting at the Longport Bridge and concluding at Tennessee Ave. Expect a smaller boat Parade and fewer decorated homes this year. It will still be an impressive sight but the Recession has prompted many to forgo the expense of decorating and fueling boats. Some home owners, too, have been hesitant about scheduling parties and decorating. In spite of that there will be well over 140 decorated homes.
Night In Venice has been held every year since its inception in 1954. It has never been cancelled by the weather, real or financial. Recognizing that there are families in the area who are in financial need, the Night In Venice Committee will divert $500 of its prize money to the Ocean City Food Cupboard.
Grand Marshal of the Parade will be Philadelphia Flyers forward, Ian Laperriere who was recently awarded the NHL’s prestigious Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy, presented to the player “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.”
There will be Free Grandstand Seating along parade route street ends. Free shuttles to these locations will be available from the Airport Parking Lot, 25 and Bay and the Soccer Field at Tennessee Ave. starting 5 p.m. Shuttles will also make a pick up at the Community Center Complex 17th and Simpson Ave. The service will be available until midnight.
The Bayside Center, 525 Bay will offer a picnic setting for parade viewing starting 5 p.m. with music by the Good Tymes Band plus games, crafts and face painting for children. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for 12 and under. Tickets are available at City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave., Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Music Pier Box Office on the Boardwalk open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. There will be refreshments for sale. People can bring their own picnic baskets. No alcohol is permitted.
Traffic Information: The 9th Street Bridge, for traffic exiting Ocean City Only, will be closed at approximately 7:45 p.m. until all boats pass through. The in bound roadway of the 9th St. Bridge will remain open. The Longport and 34th St. Bridges will remain open to car traffic.
Parking will be prohibited on Bay Ave. from 14th St. to 24th St. on the East Side and 16 St. to 24 St. on the West Side. This will be in effect from midnight, Fri., July 15 to midnight Sat., July 16.
No pedestrian or bicycle traffic will be permitted on any part of the 9th St. Bridges, Route 52 Causeway, during the Parade.
To enter the Boat or Home competition, stop at or call 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. Entry in the competition is free.
Homes in the competition will be judged between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Be sure to show your address on the back of your home for judges.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the best decorated boat. Trophies will be presented to the best decorated boats and homes. All boat owners will receive a $50 cash card, a special captain’s gift and a photo of their boat sailing in the Parade. Home and boat owners will receive a commemorative mug featuring Night In Venice optional theme, Broadway on the Bay.
Safety Reminders: Both car drivers and boat captains must refrain from drinking alcohol. Ocean City Police will be patrolling the streets and directing traffic. The Bay will be heavily patrolled by the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Marine Police and 14 Night in Venice Patrol Boats. No Swimming or Rafting is permitted in lagoon areas during the Parade. Any activity in the lagoons during the event including water ball tossing is prohibited and will be enforced by the police.
July 15: The Merchants of Venice Seafood Festival is set for Fri., July 15 from 6th to 9th Sts. on Asbury Ave. with hours from 5 p.m. till 9 p.m. Enjoy an array of seafood, entertainment and rides for kids. Seafood is for sale, admission is free.
July 16: A Huge Summer Craft Show featuring 250 juried crafters, artists, photographers and food specialists is set for July 16 at Carey Stadium and inside the Sports and Civic Center, 6th St. off Boardwalk. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the one day show. This popular exhibition features talented, one of a kind artisans from throughout the East Coast.
Featured artist will be Connie Steiner who illustrates and writes children’s books for major publishers. For 15 years Mrs. Steiner contributed art and paintings to Sesame St. and was listed on the show’s credits as both an artist and author. Her popular, whimsical lithographs will be for sale.
The many talented crafters will be offering such items as functional pottery, belt buckles with bling, fuse glass art and jewelry, matching dresses for girls and dolls, maps created from license plates, hand poured soy candles and hand made soaps, 14K and sterling silver jewelry and bracelets, cut out paintings of your home, wired gem service ware, aged Balsamic Vinegars with hand made wooden serving bowls and much more.
This huge summer festival will feature an array of other specialties plus the practical gifts and home décor. Admission is $3. All profits from tickets and booth rentals support local charities including the Ocean City Food Cupboard which has already received $100,000 from the event. For information, contact the South Jersey Artisans Guild, 800-822-4112 or 609-399-9998.
July 13: The Ocean City Pops presents Irish Night at the Pops, 8 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets are $15/$10 at the Music Pier Box Office, 609-525-9248 or at www.ocnj.us.
July 14: Great Balls of Fire, pianist Linda Gentille interprets the work of Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Joel, etc., 7:30 p.m. at the Music Pier, tickets $25 at the door or on line at www.GreatBallsOfFire.us.
July 15: The Ocean City Tabernacle presents Shawn McDonald in a teen concert 7 p.m. at the Music Pier, tickets are $10 available at the Tabernacle, 5th and Wesley Ave., 609-399-1915, at the Music Pier Box office or on line at www.octabernacle.org.
July 17: Nor’easters soccer game with the West Chester Flames, 6 p.m., Carey Stadium, 6th and Atlantic Ave., adults $6, Youth $4, call 609-525-9999.
July 17: Ditchfield Family Singers, 7 p.m. concert at Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave. This is an eight voice touring group from Sarasota, Florida. Free. Call 399-1915.
July 17: The Ocean City Pops presents a Cabaret Evening with Jody Kidwell and Dominic Inferrera 8 p.m. at Music Pier. Tickets are $15/$10 at the Music Pier Box Office.
July 17: “The Blue Note Years”. The Hassan Abdullah Quintet/Sextet, along with host, Michael Pedicin, will discuss, present and feature an overview of the Blue Note Label’s music and artists during this important period in the history of jazz. The music of John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, and others will be introduced.
Discussion will include the creative factors that defined the BLUE NOTE sound and define its contribution to the legacy of jazz.
This event is part of the Ocean City Public Library’s “Jazz Education Concert Series” and will take place at the Senior Center Multi Purpose Room from 2:00-3:15 p.m.
Use the 18th Street Entrance to the Community Center.
July 18: Stockton State College presents The Family Stone a Tribute to that great Family singing group, 8 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets are $30 at the Music Pier Box Office.
July 19-20: The Ocean City Pops presents Oh! What a Night! Billboard Hits of the 50s and 60’s, 8 p.m. at the Music Pier, call 609-525-9248. Tickets $20/$12.
July 21: The World Famous Ferko String Band performs at the Music Pier 8 p.m. followed by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, July 22. Visit www.ocnj.us for listings of Ocean City events or call 609-525-9300 for information.
July 24: “The Music of Art Blakey” The Eddie Morgan Quintet will play and discuss the music of this prolific and talented jazz musician, Art Blakey, who had a brief stay right here in Northfield, NJ. Transcriptions from actual arrangements of some of his most popular tunes will be played and discussed. Eddie and his group will be “swinging like the Jazz Masters of the late Fifties,” which is a very important part of this true American Art form… Jazz.
This event is part of the Ocean City Public Library’s “Jazz Education Concert Series” and will take place at the Senior Center Multi Purpose Room from 2:00-3:15 p.m.
Use the 18th Street Entrance to the Community Center.
July 31: “The Music of Dave Brubeck”
The Michael Pedicin Quartet/The Brubeck Project, which includes two of Brubeck’s current sidemen (Randy Jones, drums; Michael Moore, bass) will play and discuss the music of this iconic musician, Dave Brubeck, who for more than half a century has brought his joyful and delightful music to fans all over the world. Michael, also an alumnus of the Dave Brubeck Quartet, will be joined by pianist, Dean Schneider. The performance is sure to provide a bold musical statement, playing the music of Dave Brubeck in a new and exciting way.
This event is part of the Ocean City Public Library’s “Jazz Education Concert Series” and will take place at the Senior Center Multi Purpose Room from 2:00-3:15 p.m.
Use the 18th Street Entrance to the Community Center.