Ocean City Night in Venice Sails Smoothly

Ocean City's annual Night in Venice decorated boat parade went off under hot and clear skies on Saturday evening (July 20), and with the help of a partnership with the HERO Campaign for designated driving, the parade saw an increase of more than 20 boats in the lineup.

With a salute to first responders and members of all branches of the military, the HERO Campaign brought 14 new boats to the event.

This year's lineup included 72 entries, according to Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer. The 2012 parade had 50 entries, and the 2011 parade saw 58 boats.

The boats set out from the Ocean City-Longport Bridge shortly after 6 p.m. and made the trip along Ocean City's bayfront, in and out of lagoons along the way, to the end of the parade route at Tennessee Avenue.

A home-decorating contest and private parties along the entire parade route make Night in Venice one of the highlights of the summer season in Ocean City.

The "Best of Show" winner for the boat parade was Trident Marine's salute to the military.

Other results are as follows:

COMIC DIVISION

Under 25 feet: Palmentieri, No. 70, "Gilligan's Island"
Over 25 feet: Whiteside, No. 35, "Don't Rain on Our Parade"

MOST ORIGINAL

Under 25 feet: Watkins, Boat No. 34, 'Voodoo in Venice'
Over 25 feet: Garvey, Boat No. 56, '50 Years of James Bond'

MUSICAL

Under 25 feet: Gibbons, Boat No. 45, 'Rock N Roll Summertime OC'
Over 25 feet: Zeldin, Boat No. 58, 'Musical OCTC'

BEST DECORATED

Under 25 feet: Rafetto, Boat No. 43, 'Grease'
Over 25 feet: Toner, Boat No. 32, 'Beach Blanket Bingo'

CHILDREN'S DIVISION

Buckley, Boat No. 39, 'Great Gatsby'

CLASSIC

Brown, Boat No. 62, 'Oldies'

BEST OF SHOW

Stewart, Boat No. 30, 'Trident Marine'

For complete results of both the home and boat decorating contests, see the Ocean City, NJ website.