By MADDY VITALE
This was no ordinary Saturday in Ocean City. Basset hounds took over the downtown and the Boardwalk for the city’s zany Doo Dah Parade, a longstanding tradition where it takes a tall order to compete with the pooches.
Hundreds of basset hounds and their human counterparts dressed in costume to march in a procession from Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue through the downtown to 12th Street before heading up to the Boardwalk and ending at Sixth Street.
In addition to the basset hound brigade, the event also featured former Philadelphia Flyers great Brian Propp as the grand marshal, as well as marching bands, beauty queens, Martin Z. Mollusk, the city’s crustacean mascot, and floats galore.
The city created the beloved tradition 37 years ago to mark the end of tax time and to enjoy silly and fun things.
And for families that lined the downtown and the Boardwalk, it certainly was all about fun.
Chas and Ashley Grabowski, of Haddonfield, N.J., with a second home in Ocean City, brought their daughter, Tessa, 3, and 10-year-old son, Charlie, to start a new family tradition.
Chas Grabowski grew up on Asbury Avenue and spent many years as a spectator at the Doo Dah parade.
“Today is all about enjoying family time in the salt air,” Chas Grabowski said. “I grew up on Asbury Avenue and I’ve been coming here since I was a child. We are excited to be able to have our children experience Ocean City as well.”
Ashley added, “We are starting new traditions with our kids.”
Charlie was all about it.
“This is my first Doo Dah parade and I like it,” he exclaimed.
Terry Delgado and Evelyn Gondek, both of Wynnewood, Pa., brought Prunella, a 9-month-old basset hound, for the celebration. The fancily adorned basset hound, wearing a bonnet and a dress to match, was riding aboard a wagon and seemed a bit sleepy.
“This is her first time out and she’s being a good girl,” Delgado said with a laugh.
This may have been Prunella’s first parade, but over the years, Delgado said they have had three other basset hounds in the Doo Dah celebration.
There were many firsts Saturday.
Ed and Juliette Labate, of Brooklyn, N.Y., brought their dog, Nancy Drew, for her first-ever parade.
“She likes it,” Labate said.
Nancy Drew was definitely on a mission, barking at anyone who stepped in the way of her “stride” as she trotted along the Boardwalk.
At the end of the parade, emceed by Maryann McElroy, Propp signed autographs for fans who lined the Music Pier.
For more information about Ocean City events visit ocnj.us and oceancityvacation.com.
