Ocean City Then and Now: Night in Venice Boat Parade

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The Townsends Inlet Bridge connecting Sea Isle City and Avalon is one of the bridges slated to get E-ZPass.

The Ocean City Night in Venice Parade in 1964. A regular feature from Ocean City author and historian Fred Miller: Chester Derr’s boat Patchet III was a prize winner in the 11th annual Night in Venice boat parade 50 years ago on July 25, 1964. The theme was "Ocean City Beach Patrol — Pride of South Jersey." Aboard were lifeguards Chet Derr Jr., Jack McCreesh, John Dodds, Bob Schneider and George Sonneborn; following in the lifeboat were South Jersey rowing champions Tom Oves and Charles Bowman. In the early 1900s, boat parades were a regular summer attraction in Ocean City, but the event fell by the wayside until 1954 when former OCBP captain Jack G. Jernee, as part of Ocean City’s 75th anniversary celebration, revived it here. This year’s parade will be held Saturday, July 26, beginning at 7:30 p.m. near the Longport Bridge. The theme of this year's parade is "Night at the Oscars," and it's not too late for boat owners and bayfront homeowners to participate.

Register your entry now at www.ocnj.us/NIV, or call 609-525-9300, or stop at City Hall, Room 214, 9th and Asbury Ave., Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or email [email protected].

All who participate in the boat Parade receive a $50 decoration card, a photo of their boat in the parade and a commemorative Night In Venice mug. Homeowners receive a commemorative mug and can pick it up at City Hall, Room 214. Boat owners receive their mugs at the Captain's Meeting.