By MADDY VITALE
Spooky, scary, creepy and kooky, Ocean City’s Halloween Parade gave spectators thrills and chills Thursday night and it was obvious why the event has been a hit for 73 years.
The parade traveled down Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street. The event, sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club, always attracts big crowds and this year was no different.
Suni Wood, of Marmora, grew up in Ocean City and the parade was her family’s holiday tradition. Now, she is making it a family tradition for her children.
Her children, Madilyn, 7, Mason, 4, and 1-year-old son, Madden, couldn’t wait for the excitement to begin. They found a spot at Ninth Street across from City Hall where judging was taking place.
“We come every year. We love it. It is our favorite parade,” Wood said.
“I can’t wait to see my friends from class because they are in the parade,” Madilyn said.
“This is the best day ever!” Mason exclaimed.
Like the Woods, families lined the parade route to watch the colorful floats and parade marchers go by.
There were dancers dressed in spooky costumes and makeup. There were monsters, giant pumpkins and dinosaurs, pageant queens, and even a couple of horses.
“It is one of the longest running Halloween parades in the Tri-State area,” explained Jeff Shirk, Ocean City Exchange Club president and parade chairman for the last 20 years. “There are more than 20 floats, multiple bands and six marching divisions, all judged for prizes.”
Shirk noted that each year the parade attracts 2,000 to 3,000 spectators.
Judging by the overflowing crowds lining the sidewalk, the night was another successful event.
Michael Hartman emceed the event for the Exchange Club and offered humor mixed with details about each float and organization in the parade.
Erin and Ron Gifford, of Ocean City, brought their children, Natalie, 5, and 6-year-old Lillian, and their cousin, Kelly Adams, brought her son, 7-year-old Liam, for a night of spooky fun.
Lillian, who was dressed as a police officer, said her favorite part of the parade was definitely the dancers.
Her little sister, Natalie, dressed as her favorite cartoon character “Peppa Pig,” agreed with her sister.
And Liam explained his take on the parade: “The best part is the big fire trucks,” he said.
People came from all over to watch the parade. The Triolo family, of Mays Landing, brought some fellow Triolo family members to the parade while they were visiting from Kissimmee, Fla.
“It’s our first time at the parade,” Rachael Triolo, of Kissimmee, said while pushing her 22-month-old daughter Ellie’s stroller. “We are having a lot of fun.”
Some spectators, like Amber Richardson, of Egg Harbor Township, have enjoyed the parade for years.
Richardson said she wanted to make it a family tradition for her 1-year-old daughter Chloe.
“It’s her first time, and I think so far she is loving it,” Richardson said.
Liz Oaks, of Egg Harbor Township, called it the best parade around.
“It’s been going on for so many years,” Oaks said. “Obviously it is great.”
