A season of special events in Ocean City kicks into high gear in April.
A weekend arts and crafts show on the Ocean City Music Pier on Saturday and Sunday (April 5 and 6) provides a warm-up for an Egg Hunt on the beach and the Doo Dah Parade the following weekend. Another Egg Hunt, the Woofin’ Paws Pet Fashion Show, the Sunrise Service and Easter Fashion Competition come next.
April 5 and 6
SPRING FESTIVAL OF FINE ARTS AND CRAFTS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Ocean City 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.
April 11
BASSET HOUND OLYMPICS and HUMOR EVENTS: On Friday at noon, the humorous and endearing Basset Hound Olympics is set on the Tabernacle Grounds, 6th and Asbury Ave. 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 free. 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.
April 12
29th ANNUAL DOO DAH PARADE: Starts at noon, 6th Street and Asbury Ave., goes to 12th and Asbury, 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.
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO TRIBUTE: 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 Parade call (609) 525-9300, after hours and on weekends, call (609) 364-4010.
April 12 and 19
EGG HUNTS: Because of the popularity of the annual Egg Hunts, the Boardwalk Merchants are presenting two this year. Both will be held on the beach between 11th and 13th streets 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.
April 19
WOOFIN’ PAWS PET FASHION SHOW: 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.
(April 20) Easter Sunrise Service, 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.
April 20
EASTER FASHION PROMENADE: In front of the Ocean City 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.
April 26
STEP INTO SPRING 5K WALK/RUN: Registration begins 7 a.m. in front of the Music Pier. Run/Walk begins 8 a.m. Benefits 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: 9 a.m. to 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 State wide event to help keep our beaches clean and safe and protect our coastal environment. For more information call (609) 399-6111 ext. 9711.
