Doo Dah Parade Marches for 28th Time on April 13

One of TV’s first singer celebrities, a syndicated cartoonist, a 79-year-old woman baton twirler and 500 basset hounds will all be the stars of Ocean City’s 28th Doo Dah Parade on April 13.

“Perky” Peggy King of Philadelphia who starred on the George Gobel show in the early days of TV will be grand marshal. Prior to that she toured with the country’s leading big bands including Charlie Spivak, Ralph Flannigan and Ray Anthony and appeared with Mel Torme.

During her career she made guest appearances on many of the most popular shows of the era including "American Bandstand," "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson and the Jack Benny, Bob Hope and Ed Sullivan shows.

King will be joined by John McPherson, the syndicated cartoonist of “Close to Home.” McPherson’s cartoon appears in 300 newspapers throughout the world and numerous books of his work have been published.

As a special feature, a 79-year-old majorette, Betty Lambert from Harmony, Pa., will appear in the parade that celebrates humor and its legends. Lambert will twirl her baton and do splits during the parade. (Ocean City Patch incorrectly reported that Lambert would be the grand marshal in a Feb. 12 story.)

Doo Dah enthusiasts will be pleased to know that over 500 basset hounds will once again waddle in the event. The hounds will also participate in the hilarious Basset Hound Olympics set for Friday, April 12 at 1 p.m. on the Ocean City Tabernacle grounds at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

 Following the Olympics, world-renowned humorist, Dr. Joel Goodman, will present a program on the benefits of humor at the Ocean City Library, 17th and Simpson Ave., from 3 to 4 p.m.

Also on April 12 at 7 p.m., a Doo Dah Comedy Show has been scheduled for the Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. The show will feature songs by King, a cartoon talk by McPherson and the annual appearance of the impersonators of legendary comedians who also ride in the Parade. These include Groucho Marx, Charo, Jack Benny, Abbott and Costello and Lucy performers. Admission for individuals or families will be by donation of canned or dried food for the Ocean City Food Cupboard or a donation of $10 for the cupboard.

The evening will also include a Tribute to Soupy Sales, rescheduled from last year because of technical difficulties. Trudy Sales, Soupy’s widow and a former June Taylor dancer, will participate in the event.

The Parade begins at noon on Saturday, April 13, at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue, goes through the business district to 12th Street and Asbury Avenue, then proceeds to the boardwalk, concluding at Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace.

An awards ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the parade featuring King, McPherson and Lambert. This is followed by the colorful PieAsco when folks sit in grandstands and smoosh each other in the face with shaving cream pies, the kind Soupy Sales used on his syndicated TV Show.

To participate in this fun parade as a comical marcher or group or with your dressed up doggie, contact the Public Relations Office, 2 nd Floor, City Hall, 9th and Asbury in Ocean City, call 609-525-9300 or email msoifer@hotmail.com. After hours call (609) 364-4010.

— News release from the City of Ocean City