A regular feature from Ocean City author and historian Fred Miller:
Chester Derr’s boat Patchet III was a prize winner in the 11th annual Night in Venice boat parade 50 years ago on July 25, 1964.
The theme was “Ocean City Beach Patrol — Pride of South Jersey.” Aboard were lifeguards Chet Derr Jr., Jack McCreesh, John Dodds, Bob Schneider and George Sonneborn; following in the lifeboat were South Jersey rowing champions Tom Oves and Charles Bowman.
In the early 1900s, boat parades were a regular summer attraction in Ocean City, but the event fell by the wayside until 1954 when former OCBP captain Jack G. Jernee, as part of Ocean City’s 75th anniversary celebration, revived it here. This year’s parade will be held Saturday, July 26, beginning at 7:30 p.m. near the Longport Bridge.
The theme of this year’s parade is “Night at the Oscars,” and it’s not too late for boat owners and bayfront homeowners to participate.