Kate Flannery, best known for her role as Meredith, on The Office, will be part of the exciting lineup.
Ocean City will celebrate the 65th anniversary of Night in Venice at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13.
The boat parade and decorated bayfront home contest provide a chance to be part of the highlight of the summer season in Ocean City.
Thousands of spectators line the bayfront, and thousands more attend private parties at homes along the route from the Ocean City-Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue. The evening ends with a fireworks display over the bayfront at 9 p.m.
The parade includes a lineup of stars who will perform shows and greet fans throughout the weekend.
Special guests will include the legendary Chubby Checker, Kate Flannery from NBC’s “The Office,” and Caissie Levy, star of the Broadway production of “Frozen.” Former Philadelphia Eagle wide receiver Freddie Mitchell also will be part of the parade.
The optional theme is “Celebrate: 65 Years of Night in Venice,” a chance to reminisce about favorite memories from Night in Venice history. Entries for boats and homes are still being accepted online at www.ocnj.us/niv or by calling 609-399-6111. Deadline for entries is at noon July, 11.
Homes along the bay will be decked out for Night in Venice. (Photo courtesy City of Ocean City)
Here’s our guide to 2019 Night in Venice:
When is Night in Venice?
The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 13.
Where does the parade route begin and end?
The boat parade begins near the Ocean City-Longport toll bridge and travels along the bayside to Tennessee Avenue, looping in and out of lagoons along the way.
Where can I watch the parade?
To view the Night in Venice boat parade, grandstands will be set up at street ends along the bay from Battersea Road to 16th Street and also at Tennessee Avenue. These are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Streets include: Battersea Road., North Street, First Street, Second Street Marina, Fourth Street, Sixth Street, 11th Street, 13th Street, 15th Street, 16th Street and Tennessee Avenue.
Tickets are also on sale to view Night in Venice from the Bayside Center (520 Bay Avenue), which will be open with a picnic area, snack food for sale, bleacher seating and entertainment.
Tickets are $4 for children (12-and-under) and $8 for adults.
A DJ will play music from 4:30 p.m. until the first boats in the parade arrive.
Face-painting will be available for children.
The band will resume after the parade until the fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or 609-399-6111.
What does it cost?
The parade is free to watch at all locations except the Bayside Center.
Where can I park?
Free parking and shuttle service will run starting at 4 p.m. Parking will be available at:
The Amoroso family of Ocean City enjoys Night in Venice from Bayside Center in 2018.
Can I watch from the Ninth Street Bridge?
All pedestrians and bicyclists should use the Shared Use Bike Path and stay to the south side shoulder for viewing.
No persons will be allowed to bring chairs for seating onto the bridge. At no time will persons block the free movement of the Shared Use Bike Path.
No open alcoholic beverages are permitted on the bridge at any time. Persons are not permitted to walk along the bridge with motor vehicle traffic.
Ocean City Police will be present monitoring the bridge while the parade is in progress for assistance.
Can I watch online?
A video stream of the parade will be available through Facebook Live at Ocean City NJ. The video will be captured from the Bayside Center toward the beginning of the parade route.
When and where are the fireworks?
Night in Venice will include a fireworks display launched after the parade at 9 p.m. from a barge in the bay north of the Ninth Street Bridge, roughly off Third Street. The display should be best viewed from street ends or the bayfront between the Ocean City-Longport toll bridge and 16th Street.
Night in Venice will showcase boats and homes decorated for the celebration. (Photo courtesy City of Ocean City)
How do I participate?
You can register your boat or house online at 
Kate Flannery, best known for her role as Meredith, on The Office, will be part of the exciting lineup. (Photo courtesy City of Ocean City)
What else is happening on Night in Venice Weekend?
Tickets are on sale now for the following:
Sand Sculpting contest will be held at Sixth Street Beach Thursday, July 11.
ALSO COMING UP
‘MAMMA MIA’ (July 9 to 12): The Ocean City Pops and Ocean City Theatre Company team up to present the popular Broadway musical featuring the timeless music of ABBA. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. on July 9, 10 and 12 with a 2 p.m. matinee on July 11 at the Hughes Performing Arts Center (beach block of Sixth Street). Call 609-399-6111 or visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.
WACKY WEDNESDAY (July 10): Use your creativity to shape and sculpt french fries into your very own unique masterpiece. Contest is free. Open to all ages. Start time: 10:30 a.m. at the Music Pier.
FRECKLE CONTEST (July 10): Registration is free and begins at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Music Pier. Contest starts at 6 p.m. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS COMMUNITY CARAVAN (July 10): Gritty, the high-energy orange mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers, will make an appearance in Ocean City on Wednesday, July 10. He will be there for a portion of the Flyers’ Community Caravan, which will visit Ocean City 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center on the beach block of Sixth Street.
The first half hour of the Caravan will be reserved for participants in Ocean City Recreation Department morning programs.
From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the event will be free and open to fans of all ages. Flyers alumni are scheduled to attend and sign autographs.
The Caravan is part of an initiative to promote the sport of ice hockey and support youths across the region.
Each stop in the family-fun series includes an inflatable rink hosting alumni-run clinics and shoot-arounds, inflatable games and activities, tailgate games, and more.
SAND SCULPTING CONTEST (July 11): Registration is free and the informal, family-friendly contest begins at 9 a.m. at the Sixth Street Beach. Judging takes place by 11 a.m. For more information call 609-399-6111.
The Antiques and Collectibles Fair hosted by the Ocean City Historical Museum draws a crowd every year.
ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES FAIR (July 13): The Ocean City Historical Museum invites some of the best known antique and collectible dealers in the region. China, glass, furniture, vintage collectibles, postcards, jewelry, textiles, and more. Free admission for the 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. event at the Stainton Senior Center within the Ocean City Community Center (1735 Simpson Avenue). For more information call 609-399-1801.
40TH ANNUAL T. JOHN CAREY MASTERS SWIM (July 13): One-mile ocean swim starts at 43rd Street or 25th Street (depending on favorable current) and finishes at 34th Street. Register online at raceforum.com/johncarey. Race-day registration opens at 8 a.m. at 34th Street and the beach. The race will start at 10 a.m.
