The “July Jubilee” (actually held June 23 to 27) will offer important tests of life skills such as french-fry sculpting, saltwater taffy molding and “Beadamania.”
Ocean City’s week-long series of family-oriented contests is a tradition that happens twice a summer. The first week starts Monday, June 23. The second week takes place in August. All events are held at the Ocean City Music Pier (on the boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace) and each day the events start at 11 a.m.
Entry in the contests is free and prizes are awarded. Age divisions include 5-and-under, 6-8, 9-12, teens and adults.
The contest schedule is as follows:
- Monday: Salt Water Taffy Sculpting. Contestants are challenged to create a work of art from taffy donated by Shriver’s. Have you ever seen a Ferris wheel made of taffy?
- Tuesday: It’s French Fry Sculpting. This category has featured such entries as Elvis, a bouquet of flowers, and a map of the State of New Jersey. The fries are donated by the Promenade Food Court. Also on Tuesday, Leslie Skibo, founder of the Community Art Projects, will receive the IMMY Award, given each year to the person who has used their imagination for positive purposes. Skibo has led the program that has produced outstanding and pleasurable art on city buildings and utility boxes.
- Wednesday: It’s “That’s the Way The Cookie Crumbles.” Transform a giant cookie into a work of art. There is also a Super Hero Impersonation Contest. Suzanne Muldowney will be honored during the contest for her longtime impersonation of Underdog that marks its 50th anniversary this year.
- Thursday: Contestants sculpt paper clips, which have resulted in such past entries as the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Friday: Events wrap up with BEADAMANIA, a new event created by Ray Esterlund, that asks contestants to make artwork out of beads (beads supplied).
For information, call the Public Relations Office (609) 525-9300, after hours and on weekends, (609) 364-4010.
The July Jubilee leads up to Ocean City’s Independence Day celebration on Friday, July 4. Events include a 9:30 p.m. musical fireworks display fired from a barge at sea off the Music Pier. There will be two bike parades during the day: The South Ocean City Improvement Assn’s colorful event starts 10 a.m. at 40th and Asbury Ave., registration at 9 a.m. The Gardens Civic Assn. Parade starts 10 a.m. with registration 9 a.m. at the Longport Bridge Parking Lot. The annual Air Circus Kite Flying Contest is set for 6 p.m. at the 9th St. Beach.
