Doo Dah Parade Celebrates 29 Years Saturday

The Doo Dah Parade, Ocean City’s tribute to humor and legendary comedians, begins at noon at 6th and Asbury Avenue, proceeds to 12th and Asbury and then turns to the Boardwalk and ends in front of the Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace. There will be an awards ceremony, as well as the PieAsco.

The PieAsco is a tribute to the late, great “pie in the face comedian” Soupy Sales, who attended the Doo Dah Parade for many years. Folks (this can be you) sit in grand stands and smoosh each other with Shaving Cream Pies, the kind Soupy used on his syndicated TV show. If you participate, you receive a certificate praising your smooshing abilities.

Grand Marshal this year will be Peter Funt, longtime host of TV’s legendary Candid Camera program. Peter will host a retrospective program, “Six Decades of Smiles,” on Friday at the Music Pier starting at 7 p.m. This will be a review of great Candid Camera episodes. Admission will be a donation of canned or dry food for the Ocean City Food Cupboard. 

Also on Friday at noon, the Tri State Basset Hound Rescue League will hold its hilarious Olympics at the Tabernacle Grounds, 6th and Asbury Avenue. The floppy eared doggies will leap over hurdles (sort of) plod through tunnels and then settle down for a well-earned nap. The Rescue League raises money for bassets in need of a home.

Over 600 Bassets, some in fancy and humorous garb, will be featured in the Parade on Saturday along with costumed characters, unusual brigades, bands, clowns and other funny entries plus an outstanding display of balloon sculpting by Robert Archer called “Aliens with a Flying Saucer.” 

Another Doo Dah event is scheduled for Friday. “The Positive Power of Humor, Hope and Healing,” will be presented by Dr. Joel Goodman, founder and director of the Humor Project, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Dr. Goodman has talked to audiences on all seven continents of the world. Learn how humor can increase the quality of your life. The program is free and will be presented at the Ocean City Library, 17th and Simpson Avenue at 2 p.m. on Friday. This will be Goodman’s 10th visit to Ocean City, all well received. Admission is free.

Following the Parade on Saturday, there will be a Tribute to the Abbott and Costello Fan Club at the Library starting at 3:30 p.m. in Lecture Hall N110.The free program will feature the world’s leading impersonators of Abbott and Costello, Bud Palmer and Lou Sciara, performing “Who’s on First,” and a showing of the classic movie “Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy.” There will be a special appearance by legendary vocalist, TV and movie actress, Pretty, Perky, Peggy King who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of fame and a cameo appearance in the movie. For information call 609-525-9300 or 609-364-4010.

THE BIG EASTER EGG HUNTS: There will be two this year! The first after the Doo Dah Parade on April 12 and the second after the Woofin’ Paws Pet Fashion Show on April 19. Both start at 2:30 p.m. and extend from 11th to 13th streets on the Beach. 

There will be five age groups: up to 2 years and 3 year olds at 11th Street, 4 year olds at 12th Street, 5 year olds at 12th Street, and 6 and 7 year olds at 13th Street. Over 180,000 Eggs with candy and toys will be given away. Rain dates are April 13 and April 20. The event is sponsored by the Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants Association.

WOOF! WOOF!: Ocean City is a dog and pet friendly community!  We have a pet friendly Dog Park where canines can convene in safety and comfort; we have the Doo Dah Parade where basset hounds and other doggies can flap their ears in the sun; we have Barks on the Boards where pooches can stroll in comfort and compete for prizes; we have an award winning Humane Society that is a no-kill shelter and we have the Woofin’ Paws Pet Fashion Competition where any pet that will not eat another pet can celebrate the spring. 

The Woofin’ Paws Pet Fashion Show will precede the second Easter Egg Hunt on April 19. It’s set for Carey Stadium, 6th Street off Boardwalk starting at 11 a.m. Registration begins at 10 a.m. As we have previously stated the event is open to any non-cannibalistic pet which includes dogs, cats, bunnies, ferrets, white mice, Guinea Pigs, Turtles, etc. I know, I know, cats might eat white mice and etceteras. Entrants are expected to restrain their cats from such practices.

CATegories include Best Dressed, Bonnet, Intelligent Pet Tricks, Bathing Suit, Owner Pet Look Alike and Super Hero Costume. There is a $5 donation for each entry that benefits the Ocean City Humane Society. There is no admission charge for spectators. The Humane Society will have a table selling products and taking voluntary donations. Best of Show receives the Woofin’ Paws Plaque for Perfection honoring the memory of Dean Schofield, a valued Public Relations Division volunteer. 

On April 20, the Easter Sunrise Service, a traditional, nondenominational program by the sea, will be held at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace, at 6:30 a.m. Guest speaker will be the Rev. David Bailey, Sr. founder of Ranch Hope. Easter music will be celebrated with trumpets, congregational singing, students of Nancy Fox performing and pianist, Jeff Seals. The service is sponsored by the Ocean City Ministerium and Ecumenical Council. Parking will be free at 8th or 9th Street Boardwalk lots.

Also on April 20, the annual Easter Fashion Show Promenade and Competition will be held in front of the Music Pier with judging beginning at 1 p.m. The Easter Bunny will be present at the south side of the Pier to pose for photos and give chocolate bunnies to children. Fashion prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Best Dressed Woman, Man, Couple, Best Family, Teen Girl and Boy, Best Bonnet, Most Unusual Bonnet and Best Children. 

PHOTO EXHIBIT: The Ocean City Arts Center, 17th and Simpson Avenue, features its juried Photography Show through April. Fifty-two photographs were accepted for exhibit from the 195 submitted. There will be an awards ceremony on April 11 at 7 p.m. Admission to the ceremony and exhibit is free. Arts Center hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Call 609-399-7628 for information.

ART ON ASBURY: The Ocean City Fine Arts League, 806 Asbury Avenue, is featuring a unique “Protect our Environment” Art Show through April. It features art made of recyclable materials such as plastic, metal and paper. “Art on Asbury” will also present a second April show called “Architectural Insights, Buildings From Urban to Rural” through April. Call 609-814-0308 or access art@oceancityfineartsleague.org. 

THE SLOW WALKER, a new book that will be of special interest to those who admire the beauty of the woods, flowers and all that nature has to offer, is now available at Sun Rose Words and Music, 756 Asbury Ave. It is written by Dan North, who teaches Journalism at City College of New York and spends his spare time investigating natural habitats throughout the country. The book includes essays published by the Audubon Society newsletter and other environmentally conscious groups. Price is $10.