In a town that loves its parades – Ocean City has the Halloween, Christmas and world-famous Doo Dah just to name three – Wednesday’s Miss New Jersey Parade might be considered a bit underrated. But that is about to change if Karen Mahar has anything to say about it.
“I am feeling good about our lineup and I hope people come out,” Parade Director Mahar said. “It is in the middle of the week and the summer season still isn’t (in full swing) and I am not sure all our residents and visitors know about it. But it really is a nice event.”
The procession steps off at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 15 on the Boardwalk at 6th St. and travels South on the boards and exits in 14th. In addition to all 30 pageant contestants, the parade includes marching bands, Ocean City dignitaries, floats, some really nice cars, and a few surprises.
The parade’s theme, Miss New Jersey in Toyland, will include depictions of each contestant’s favorite childhood toy.
“Many of the girls became really creative.” Karen said. “There are some classic toys represented, but also some more contemporary ones.”
When pressed for examples, Mahar demurred. “People should come out and see for themselves.”
As the womens’ cars drive by, tradition calls for spectators to ask them to “show us your shoes.”
The parade is the opening event for the pageant, held at the Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk. Preliminary competitions will take place on the next two evenings, Thursday and Friday, with the Finals set for Saturday night.
Contestants take part in talent competition and make presentations on behalf of a cause or personal interest, or “platform.”
The Miss New Jersey Pageant has become a business booster for Ocean City. With 30 contestants competing from all over the state, many of their families have been staying in local hotels, motels and B&Bs, eating in local restaurants and buying goods and services from local businesses.
And it all begins with the parade. The reigning Miss New Jersey 2015, Lindsey Giannini will be on hand, as will members of the Ocean City Council.
Each contestant rides in a convertible. Some are designated and supplied by the competitor; others are provided by the parade organizers. There are classic cars, “old time” historic vehicles and cutting edge new cars.
Mahar, whose fulltime job is Director of the Ocean City Free Public Library, was quick to credit her support team, starting with the City team. Kathy Caraballo of Ocean City’s Community Services Department has been invaluable behind the scenes, Mahar said, and Community Services chief Mike Allegretto has been “great to work with,” she added.
Mahar also thanked Bruce Twiggs who handles the staging aspects of the parade. “We simply couldn’t do it without him,” she said.
Judges for the parade include entertainment reporter and talk show host Scott Cronick, graphic artist Bob Petrecca, Lori Link and Tracey Wiser of the branding firm Wiser Link and former Chatterbox owner Aimee Repici.
Two Ocean City residents, Devon Vanderslice (Miss Cape May County); and Myra McCann (Miss EasternShore) will be among the line of march. Each contestant will be followed on the parade route by a Miss NJ Most Outstanding Teen representative. There will also be a Mummers string band, Ocean City’s mascot Martin Z. Mollusk, and the Peepmobile, a vehicle promoting the popular Peeps candies.
All Star One, an Egg Harbor Twp. Competitive cheer unit will be in the line of march, as will the Camden Academy Charter High School Band.
