Everyone gets into the act on Night in Venice. The bay front homes and the boats are decorated for the biggest party of the year.
By Maddy Vitale
Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, holds 43,000 fans. Magnifying the popularity of Night in Venice, three to four times the number of people who fit in that stadium are expected to come to Ocean City on Saturday night for the summer boat parade and bayfront extravaganza.
Police, fire and city officials are taking precautions to make sure the big crowds are safe and the festivities remain family friendly in “America’s Greatest Family Resort.”
“Night in Venice is a signature event for Ocean City that highlights our back bays and beautiful shoreline,” said Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michele Gillian. “We are anticipating between 100,000-120,000 people to participate.”
Gillian noted that 55 boats are already registered to participate in the boat parade, with the projection of 65 by Friday. The parade begins at 7 p.m. with fireworks to follow.
Fireworks light up the sky over the bay after the parade.
“While it is tradition to judge the decorated houses and boats, the addition of fireworks has really revitalized the event,” Gillian explained. “Night in Venice means a lot to Ocean City and the business community.”
City officials have held meetings while planning for the event, with the focus on pedestrian and motorist safety.
“With so many vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians converging on the bayfront and with so many boats on the water, Ocean City’s preparations focus on public safety,” said Ocean City Public Information Officer Doug Bergen.
Safety on the water is also a top priority.
Boat captains are required to attend a captains meeting, which includes a review of all safety protocols and the latest advisories. Marine units from local and State Police will also be out on the water, Bergen said.
This is the 64th consecutive year of the celebration. Over the years, it has become more organized through a lot of hard work and planning, officials said.
The HERO Campaign Boat Readies itself for Night in Venice
Spectators get to take in a host of activities and watch celebrity grand marshals.
One of the grand marshals is Jon Dorenbos, a former Philadelphia Eagles long-snapper who performs sold-out magic shows.
Parade participants include the cast of “Beauty and the Beast,” presented by the Ocean City Pops and Ocean City Theatre Company, the OCTC Show Choir, city officials and scholarship pageant winners.
Parking is at a premium in many shore towns over the summer, and Ocean City is no exception.
Officials took that into consideration when they mapped out areas for parking and shuttle service for Night in Venice, officials said.
Night in Venice beauty queens wave to the crowds lining the Bayfront during the event last year.
Starting at midnight Friday, police will restrict parking along parts of Bay Avenue. As the event approaches on Saturday, there will be limited vehicle access to the bayside streets to allow for safe passage of all pedestrian and vehicle traffic and emergency vehicle access to isolated areas of the bayfront, Bergen said.
Free parking and shuttle service will run starting at 4 p.m. Parking will be available at: Ocean City Municipal Airport located at 25th Street and Bay Avenue, the Soccer Field at Tennessee Avenue off Shelter Road, and the Ocean City Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave.
Shuttles will drop off spectators at street ends where they can watch the parade and return them to the parking lots afterward. The service is free and will be available until 11 p.m.
Spectators have plenty of places to enjoy great views and check out the decorated boats and homes and watch the entertainment. One public vantage point for the boat parade is the Ocean City Bayside Center at 520 Bay Ave. Public Works crews will set up bleachers at street ends along the bayfront and at Bayside Center.
For more information call (609) 399-6111.
