What’s Happening in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – Last week Santa descended from the roof of City Hall to greet his admirers. This week he will enter town on a Retail Merchant’s Association float as the grand marshal of the City’s annual Christmas Parade.
The event is set for Dec. 7 starting 7 p.m. Santa will float from 6th and Asbury Ave. to 11th and Asbury, then return to the mini park at 9th and Asbury Ave. to greet his friends, pose for photos and distribute treats to children.
The Pitman Hobo Band, Ocean City High School Band and Pennsport String Band will serenade Santa in the manner to which he has become accustomed. Mayor Jay Gillian and First Lady Michele Gillian will represent the City administration along with Councilmen Tony Wilson, Pete Guinosso and Michael DeVlieger.
The Ocean City High School Girl’s Field Hockey State Champions will ride on a Gillian’s Wonderland Float.
There will be costumed characters, floats and an array of area Misses including Miss Ocean City, Devon Vanderslice, Junior Miss Ocean City, Shannon Wallace and Little Miss Ocean City Paige Aita, Plus Miss Night in Venice, Miss Cape May County and Little Miss and Junior Princess CMC. That’s enough royalty to start a court at Stainton’s.
Martin Z. Mollusk and “Elmo” will ride in a car, the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office will bring McGruff and Eagle Eddie. There will be a Marine Corps Color Guard, fire engines and many other features.
The stores on Asbury Ave. are open. Don’t forget to shop before and after the Parade.
First Night: New Year’s Eve is less than four weeks away. Now is the time to make your plans for the evening. We strongly suggest and endorse Ocean City’s 20th Annual First Night celebration, without question the Best New Year’s Entertainment Value at the Jersey Shore.
First Night offers outstanding entertainment for all ages, from 4 p.m. till midnight capped by a fireworks display, weather permitting. And for just $15 per person. Also included are rides at Wonderland Pier from 5 to 9 p.m. plus miniature golf at Gillian’s Adventure Golf from 2 p.m. till 9 p.m.
There are 60 shows to choose from: Magic Shows, Musicals, Comedy, Japanese Drummers, a Mummer’s String Band, Broadway music, the list goes on and on. You can check out the complete program at the following locations before purchasing your buttons: the Wonderland store at the Stainton Complex, 8th and Asbury Ave. or Chamber of Commerce Complex, 9th St. across from TD Bank. You can also see the complete program at www.firstnightocnj.com and order your buttons online.
The Ocean City Restaurant Assn. will again offer its popular Taste of the Jersey Shore at the High School Cafeteria. You can check the complete menu on the First Night Website and book your reservations on line at www.eatinocnj.com. Price is $20 for adults, $8 for children with hourly seating 4 to 8 p.m. Questions? Call (609) 399-1412 or (609) 525-9300.
Free Christmas Buffet: Peaches Lukens of Ocean City has organized a Good Samaritan Christmas Buffet in Ocean City for 23 years. All are invited to this event held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Christmas Day at St. Peters Methodist Church, 8th and Central Ave.
No reservations are required and “our home cooked meal is free to all who need company, a good meal and some great cheer,” says Peaches.
There will be live entertainment and all the food you can eat! Take outs and deliveries are available. Transportation to and from dinner provided. Handicapped access. “ We hope you’ll come and join us,” says Peaches. For more information, call (609)398-8781.
(Dec. 6)The Ocean City PTA Shopping Extravaganza will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Intermediate School, 1801 Bay Ave. Vendors, cookies for sale, and much more. For Information, contact Sarah McDowell at SarahMcDowell@comcast.net.
(Dec.6-8) The Ocean City High School Drama Club will perform a Christmas Carol, a ghost of Christmas by Charles Dickens at the school’s Hughes Performing Arts Center, 6th and Atlantic Ave. Shows are set for Dec. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. For tickets call (609) 399-1290 ext. 1442.
(Dec. 7-8) The Ocean City Library Friends and Volunteers Winter Book Sale will be held Dec. 7 from 3 to 8 pm. and Sat., Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Atrium of the Library, 17th and Simpson Ave. Fiction and non fiction hard and paperbacks for adults and children, CD’s and puzzles, special books, etc. will be available.
(Dec. 8-10) The Ocean City Free Public Library has continuous events through the year. On Dec. 8 at 10 a.m., it has scheduled Edible House Centerpiece with Chef Chelius. On Dec. 9 it will feature a Holiday Festival from 2 to 4:30 p.m. with live music by the White Walls, free refreshments at Yanni’s café, a face painter, balloon sculptor and Santa bringing gifts. On Mon., Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. there will be a showing of the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life at 6 p.m. in the Lecture Room N110. On Dec.16 “The Jazz Vocalist” from Melody to Scatting, a combination lecture and performance by Gina Roche, Paul Jost and Denise Montana will be held at 2 p.m. in the Main Lecture Room. For information about events and holiday Library Hours, call (609) 399-2434 ext. 5238.
(Dec 8) Santa Paws: The Ocean City Humane Society, Shelter Rd. off Bay and Tennessee Ave., invites you to bring your pet to have its photo taken with Santa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $10 per photo. Call (609) 399-2018.
(Dec. 8) Amnesty International has scheduled a Human Rights Day celebration featuring internationally known poet Lamont Steptoe at the Bayside Center at 7 p.m. Donations accepted. Call (609) 398-1934 or email shanley2001@Yahoo.com.
(Dec. 8) Christmas at the Tabernacle: The Angelus Choir with instrumentalists and soloists will perform 4 p.m., 550 Wesley Ave. Admission, free. The Tabernacle will also present a live Nativity Scene, 2 p.m. on the building’s grounds. Call (609) 399-1915.
(Dec. 14-16) 2012 Holiday Spectacular: The annual production, produced and directed by Michael Hartman, returns to the Music Pier with a new show and cast of professional singers and dancers. Spectacular costumes, outstanding talent, high energy choreography combine for a memorable performance. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and children under 12. Special discounted school rates are available for morning show on Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. Contact info@oceancitytheatrecompany.com. Shows will be held on Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 15 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 16 at
2 p.m.
(Through the Holidays) Every weekend through Dec. 23, photos with Santa in a Lifeguard boat will be available from noon to 3 p.m. at the Music Pier plus free horse and carriage rides these same hours starting at City Hall, 9th and Asbury Ave. Hospitality Nights are set for the downtown for Fridays, Dec. 14-21. There will be breakfast with Santa every weekend through Dec.23 at a different downtown restaurant, 8:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Call (609) 398-4662 for information.
(Dec.22) The Ocean City Theatre Co. presents, Yours Truly, Jack Frost at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace, show times 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All tickets $10. Jack Frost outwits the evil Elvina who attempts to ruin Christmas. Fully staged by talented children 3rd to 8th Grade. Tickets available on www.ocnjus or call (609) 525-9300.