Barbara Eden to Lead Doo Dah Parade

Barbara Eden will serve as grand marshal for the 2019 Doo Dah Parade in Ocean City on April 13 and return that night to emcee the Mr. Mature America Pageant.

Eden is best known for her iconic “I Dream of Jeannie” television series launched in 1965. The show ran for five seasons (139 episodes) and has been airing on cable and in syndication for more than five decades. Her recently published memoir, “Jeannie Out of the Bottle,” became a New York Times bestseller. The autobiography chronicle’s Eden’s colorful life and Hollywood career. Her talent and charm are billed as a perfect fit for the Mr. Mature America Pageant, which mixes self-deprecating humor with nostalgia and talent in a tribute to men ages 55 and older. Eden will host the sixth annual event and conduct on-stage interviews with contestants. The pageant is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, April 13 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The event is the first and only pageant of its kind in the United States. It includes competition in talent, judge’s interview, poise and appearance and on-stage question. Registration is now open for any contestant 55 or older who would like to participate. Visit www.ocnj.us/mrmature for more information and to sign up as a contestant. Earlier in the day, Eden will serve as grand marshal in the Doo Dah Parade, Ocean City’s season-opening celebration of all things humorous. The procession features marching bands, floats and a brigade of more than 500 basset hounds. This year’s event starts at noon Saturday, April 13. The parade route starts at Sixth Street and travels downtown Asbury Avenue to 12th Street, then turns to the Boardwalk at 12th Street and finishes on the Boardwalk at Sixth Street.  The parade is now open to all entries. Register to participate in the parade at www.ocnj.us/Doo-Dah-Parade. Members of the 500-strong basset hound pack saunter down the Boardwalk during the 2018 Doo Dah Parade. LIBRARY TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH The Ocean City Free Public Library will be host to a series of events in celebration of Black History Month. One dynamic storyteller – Michelle Washington Wilson – will give the first two presentations. At 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, Wilson will present “The Food and the Folks of the Great Migration,” stories of the widespread migration of African Americans in the 20^th century from rural communities in the South to large cities and some rural communities in the North, including towns and communities at the Jersey Shore. This program is for adults only and registration is required. Call 609-399-2434, ext. 5222, to register. At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, Wilson will present “Quilts of Faith.” Before there were cell phones, or any kind of phones, people exchanged messages by symbols and codes, through songs and signs with hidden meanings. Imaginations were captured by a tale of African Americans weaving secret codes into quilt patterns in the 1800s to pass on clues and directions to runaway slaves on their dangerous journey to freedom. Quilts of Faith” combines the legacy of quilting with stories and songs, and this program also has local ties. This family program is for all ages. Registration is required. Call the Children’s Department at 609-399-2434, ext. 5241. Other events include “Learn About Infobase Research Databases” to teach about the library’s research tools, particularly as they relate to African-American history. This event is 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19. Call 609-399-2434, ext. 5222 to register. Story Hour (10:30 a.m. Feb. 15), Toddler Time (10:30 a.m. Feb. 25), Story Train (1:30 p.m. Feb. 25) and a free film screening of “Selma” (12 p.m. Feb. 26) are also part of the schedule. Ocean City’s Boy Scout Troop 32 is getting ready for its Super Chili Bowl fundraiser. COMING UP SOON: SUPER CHILI BOWL (Feb. 2): Ocean City Boy Scouts from Troop 32 will hold the third annual Super Chili Bowl fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center in the Ocean City Community Center (1735 Simpson Avenue). Prizes will go to the top chefs receiving votes from the general public after sampling the many different chili styles. The event is free for chef/participants with $5 per person charged at the door for taste-testing guests. Prizes will be given for Best Chili, Most Unique Chili, Hottest Chili and Best Cornbread. Chili chefs can register by sending their name, email address and phone number to Crystal Erney by phone at 609-335-3598 or by email at [email protected]. FISHING FLEA MARKET (Feb. 2): The annual Ocean City Intermediate School flea market for fishing gear will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 at the school at 1801 Bay Avenue. HISTORICAL MUSEUM CHILDREN’S TEA (Feb. 9): The ever-popular Ocean City Historical Museum Children’s Tea will be held 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Ocean City Community Center (1735 Simpson Ave.). The theme of this year’s event for girls and boys is “Pirates and Scallywags.” Festivities begin in the museum with fun-filled facts about pirates. After the program, attendees will proceed to the Senior Center for activities and a “high tea” featuring all types of sweets, sandwiches, tea and punch. Tickets are $10 each, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased at the museum or call 609-399-1801.