Bob was a hit with the crowd when he slipped into his mermaid costume from Bowfish Kids.
By Maddy Vitale
Oves Restaurant at 4th and the Boardwalk in Ocean City offered more than just homemade apple cider doughnuts and scrumptious pancakes Thursday morning.
The eatery also offered live entertainment, thanks to Bob Kelly, a TV host with Fox 29, whose news team selected Ocean City to highlight in the show “Town Takeover,” which is part of “Good Day Philadelphia.”
From 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Kelly joked with patrons and passersby who stopped by for some laughter and fun.
Bob was a hit with the crowd when he slipped into his mermaid costume from Bowfish Kids.
The segment, which was aptly called “Shore Town Takeover,” also had live on-air spots with Kelly featuring local sports teams, businesses, city organizations and pageant queens.
To see the segment with the mermaids courtesy Fox 29 visit: http://www.fox29.com/good-day-videos/347596092-video
Jilly’s Candy Factory, Johnson’s Popcorn and Bowfish Kids were just some of the businesses highlighted.
Members of the Ocean City High School Boys and Girls Crew teams, the Ocean City High School Red Raiders Football team, Boy Scouts, the Ocean City Historical Museum, Miss Ocean City Miss Ocean City Madison Leigh Kennelly, Junior Miss Ocean City Hope Aita and Little Miss Ocean City Ginger Mumman.
Local sports teams including the Ocean City High School Girls and Boys Crew teams were on air.
Kelly pumped up the morning crowd with shout outs to Ocean City. Sometimes he would even yell out “Bam” in between spots, which inevitably led to giggles.
Noah Stevens, 11, of Ocean City who is a member Ocean City’s Youth Athletic Association All-Star baseball team.
He nibbled on a cinnamon doughnut before getting to meet Kelly and going on-air along with some of his teammates.
Noah said it was really cool to meet Kelly and watch the show.
Noah Stevens, 11, of Ocean City, with Bob Kelly, said the show was cool.
“His coach told us about this, and we came over,” said Noah’s mom Sandy Stevens.
Donna Oves, of the landmark restaurant, said this is the second year Fox 29 came out to the restaurant for a show.
Oves, who is also vice president of the Ocean City High School Crew Boosters, said it is a great thing the station does for the community.
“They really showcase some of the local sports teams, businesses, groups and city organizations,” she said.
Businesses including Jilly's Candy Factory were featured on the show.
Bob Kelly appeared to have a lot of fun in the broadcast.
But when the sun created a shadow the “set” had to be turned in the opposite direction.
Kelly asked how he could get up with the flipper on. He was told to hop, and he did to a crowd of people laughing.
Fox 29 photojournalist George Roach has been working with Kelly for a long time. He said “Town Takeover” is one of their favorite shows because they really get to see special slices of life in the communities.
Bob Kelly attempts to see over an Ocean City High School Red Raider Football player.
“It gives a town an opportunity to highlight people and groups,” Roach said. “We bring this morning show here and you see these little kids in mermaid costumes. They can look at the segment years later and it will bring back memories.”
Sisters Angelina Vallely and Isabella, of Quakertown, P.a., were on vacation with their family in Ocean City.
“Their grandmother is an avid watcher of Bob Kelly,” said mom Jaime Vallely. “We had to come down and see the show.”
Angelina even asked Kelly a question. “I asked if he had ever been to Quakertown,” she said with a wide smile.
Bob Kelly listens to Quakertown, P.a., resident Angelina Vallely's question.
Bob Kelly offers a doughnut to this little girl.
Beth Bowman, a trustee on the board of the Ocean City Historical Museum, takes the mic.
Bob Kelly asks Beth Bowman a little bit about the Ocean City Historical Museum.
Bob Kelly poses with Angelina Vallely and her sister Isabella.
The spectators and people who were featured on the program had lots of fun at Oves Restaurant Thursday morning.
Bob went for a ride on the boardwalk with some of our local celebrities: http://www.fox29.com/good-day-videos/347587052-video
Then he closed out the morning with the following:
http://www.fox29.com/good-day-videos/347626263-video
