Community Corner

Spring Events Kick Off With Easter Egg Hunt, Doo Dah Parade in Ocean City

The 29th annual Doo Dah Parade and the first of two Easter Egg hunts is April 12.

Written and submitted by Mark Soifer, Ocean City Public Relations Director 

It’s now time to start seriously thinking about Ocean City’s exciting April events. They include two great Easter Egg hunts, The Doo Dah Parade, The Woofin’ Paws Pet Fashion Show, The Sunrise Service and Easter Fashion Competition.

TWO EGG HUNTS (APRIL 12 and19): Because of the popularity of our Easter Egg Hunts, the Boardwalk Merchants are presenting two this year. Both will be held from 11th to 13th St. on the Beach at 2:30 p.m. There will be five age groups: Up to 2 years at 11th St., 3 years at 11th St., 4 years at 12th St., 5 years at 12th St.  6 years and 7 years at 13th St. Rain dates are April 13 and April 20 at 2:20 p.m. 180,000 Eggs with Candy and Toys will be distributed.  For more information, call 1-800-BeachNJ. 

29th annual Doo Dah Parade, April 12: The parade starts at noon, 6th and Asbury Ave., goes to 12th and Asbury, and then to Boardwalk and ends at Moorlyn Terrace in front of the Music Pier. Peter Funt of Candid Camera will be grand marshal. The Parade includes 600 friendly basset hounds, costumed characters, clowns, fun brigades, bands and surprises. The popular PieAsco follows when the Parade ends. Folks sit in grandstands and smoosh each other with shaving cream pies, honoring the legendary Soupy Sales who attended Doo Dah for many years. You can enter just by being there. It’s free. Smoosh the person sitting next to you and receive a certificate to celebrate the occasion.

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On Friday, April.11 the humorous and endearing Basset Hound Olympics is set for noon at the Tabernacle Grounds, 6th and Asbury Ave.  On Friday, April 11 at 2 p.m., Dr. Joel Goodman will present a program on the benefits of Humor at the Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th and Simpson Ave. Admission is free.

This Friday at 7 p.m., Peter Funt will host a program featuring The Best of Candid Camera at the Music Pier. The event will open with a rendition of “Who’s on First” by Abbott and Costello champion impersonators, Gil Palmer and Lou Sciara. Admission is by a donation of canned or dry food to the Ocean City Food Cupboard.

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On Saturday, April 12, there will be a tribute to Abbott and Costello at 3:30 p.m. after the Parade at the Ocean City Free Public Library featuring the Abbott and Costello impersonators and a movie, “Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy.” The movie includes a cameo performance by Pretty, Perky, Peggy King, who will be at the Library to greet her fans. The event is free and will be held in the Library’s main lecture room. For information on Doo Dah events or to enter the parade call 609-525-9300. For afterhours and weekend calls, call 609-364-4010.

THE WOOFIN’  PAWS PET FASHION SHOW, April 19: 11 a.m. at Carey Stadium, 6th St. off the Boardwalk. Registration begins at 10 a.m. The competition is open to any pet that will not eat another pet…dogs, cats, bunnies, ferrets, guinea pigs, turtles etc. Categories include: Best Dressed, Bonnet, Intelligent Pet Tricks, Bathing Suit, Owner Pet Look Alike, Super Hero Costume.

There is a $5 donation per pet that benefits the Ocean City Humane Society. The Humane Society will have a table at the event where spectators may make a voluntary donation to support the no-kill, award winning shelter. 

Best of Show receives the Dean Schofield Woofin’ Paws Plaque for Perfection in memory of a beloved and valued volunteer of the City’s Public Relations Division. For more information, call 609-525-9300 or access www.ocnj.us.                                                                                               

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE, April 20: a traditional nondenominational service by the sea. All are welcome to the Music Pier, 6:30 a.m., Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. For more information, call 609-525-9300.

EASTER FASHION PROMENADE, April 20: Takes place in front of the Music Pier. Come dressed in your Easter best to stroll in our fashion contest and win prizes. The Easter Bunny will be present to pose for photos and give chocolate bunnies to children. Fashion promenade prizes include Best Woman, Best Man, Best Family, Best teens, girls and boys, Best Bonnet, Most Unusual Bonnet, and Children. 

STEP INTO SPRING 5K WALK/RUN, April 26: Registration begins at 7 a.m. in front of the Music Pier. Run/Walk begins 8 a.m. It benefits the Betsy Young Memorial Foundation and Abramson Cancer Center of Philadelphia. To register, call 609-233-9020 or on line www.active.com.  

CLEAN OCEAN ACTION BEACH SWEEP, April 26: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Check in at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace for clean up supplies. All organizations and families are encouraged to participate in this annual statewide event to help keep our beaches clean and safe and protect our coastal environment. For more information call 609-399-6111, ext. 9711. 

REMINDER:  (April 5-6) The Spring Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace, featuring the finest artisans on the East Coast. Free parking at nearby City lots. $3 contribution benefits local charities. For more information, call 1-800-822-4112.

REMINDER: The annual Tea sponsored by the Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library will be held at the Flanders Hotel, Thursday May 8 at 2 p.m. New this year will be a High Tea for Attendees. Carol Brill, MFA, author of “Peace by Piece and Cape Maybe,” will be guest speaker. Ticket sales will be held on Friday, April 11 from 6p.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. till noon in the Atrium of the Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th and Simpson Ave. Tickets are $25 and limited to 4 per person. No reserved seating. FVOCFPL website http://fvocfpl.wordpress.com

REMINDER: The third and final session of the Art of Improvisation by the Somers Point Jazz Society will be held on Sunday April 6 at the Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th and Simpson Ave., starting at 2 p.m. in the Main Lecture Room. Admission is free. The session will be a continuation of the earlier programs as well as an opportunity for student musicians of all ages to bring their instruments to play and learn new techniques. The session will offer students and adults who may not have had a chance to play this music the chance to do so with a quartet of seasoned, professional musicians and educators.

These include saxophonist and educator, Dr. Michael Pedicin with Chris Simoni, piano, Lee Smith, bass and Vic Stevens, drums. To learn more about the Somers Point Jazz Society, visit its website www.spjazz.org or call 609-927-6677. The Art of Improvisation Series is dedicated to the late Christopher Maloney, Library Director, who lived a life filled with creative and intellectual inspiration and Community involvement. 

ABOUT ART: The Ocean City Arts Center, 17th and Simpson Ave., presents its annual Juried Photography Show through April. The exhibit provides both professionals and amateurs the opportunity to show their work. Admission is free. The Arts Center is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. Call 609-399-7628.

The Ocean City Fine Arts League, “Art on Asbury,” 806 Asbury Ave. is featuring a Protect Our Environment Art Show in April including art made of recyclable materials such as plastic, metal and/or paper. They will also be featuring a show called “Architectural Insights, Buildings from Urban to Rural.” Call 609-814-0308 or access art@oceancityfineartsleague.org. 


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