Ocean City residents from left, Virginia Germano, Alice Picardo, Laura Baises, and Casey and Jenny Picardo take a seat in a lifeguard boat while awaiting the winners of the drawings.
By MADDY VITALE
There are a few requirements for holiday shopping: a list so that you have an idea of what you will get your family and friends, and a plan showing you where you will likely find the best deals on those perfect gifts.
And if you headed to Ocean City on Saturday for “Earlier than the Bird,” from 8 a.m. to noon, like hundreds of other shoppers, you also needed your pajamas.
With temperatures in the mid-40s, no one was complaining about being dressed in their night clothes for the popular annual shopping extravaganza. It seemed the holiday-themed robes and fluffy socks were enough to take shoppers from shop to shop.
Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, said of the event, “We are so excited to see so many shoppers enjoying the downtown before Thanksgiving. It is really wonderful."
The event is eight years old and grows bigger and better every year, Gillian pointed out.
"What a wonderful way to start the holiday season,” she said.
From left, Chamber members Shawnda McGinnis, Rose Savastano, Justin Juliano, the Turkey mascot, Mimi Cottrell, Executive Director Michele Gillian and Sally Huff. (Photo courtesy of Chamber of Commerce)
Adding to the festive downtown atmosphere were wreaths adorned with red bows that hung over top Asbury Avenue and garland and ribbons wrapped around old-fashioned style lamp posts.
There were even free horse and carriage rides from noon to 3 p.m., which added to the holiday spirit. Carriage rides continue at the same time Sunday.
Shoppers strolled around in fluffy slippers and robes decorated with Christmas motifs. There were even people dressed as elves.
Like previous years, people attended "Earlier than the Bird" to enjoy the holiday shopping excitement and be a part of the festive spirit. The lucky ones could win prizes for best-dressed.
Aside from discounts on merchandise were free cups of coffee and donuts at participating locations.
“There is no other place like it. No one does something quite like this,” Nicole Zaccarelli, of Philadelphia, summed up the atmosphere. “Even though I’m from Philly, there really is nothing else like it."
And the sales didn't hurt the happy mood.
“There are lots of sales,” Nicole's sister, Melissa Zaccarelli, of Blackwood, N.J., noted.
Horse and carriage rides help transform the downtown into a winter wonderland.
The Zaccarelli sisters were joined by their mother, Gail, of Delaware County, Pa., who has a vacation home in Marmora.
The family wore red robes decorated with a pattern of Christmas lights.
Gail Zaccarelli said a bit about what she thought of the resort.
"It is like being in a Hallmark movie. Ocean City is special. It has a small-town feel and is really homey,” she noted.
The Zaccarelli family had just begun their shopping journey down Asbury Avenue, but had already purchased ornaments and gifts for family. Gail even treated herself to a craft.
One mother-daughter duo from Ocean City spent some time deciding what type of pajamas to wear.
“They are supposed to be bears, but they don’t really look like them,” joked Lizzie Peteraf of the fluffy slippers she and her mom, Lisa Peteraf, selected.
Ocean City residents from left, Virginia Germano, Alice Picardo, Laura Baisas, and Casey and Jenny Picardo take a seat in a lifeguard boat while awaiting the winners of the drawings.
While some people walked along the avenue in search of bargains, Laura Baisas, of Ocean City, and her family decided to plop down in the lifeguard boat in Mark Soifer Park, where a radio personality was announcing winners of raffles.
Baisas said, “It’s an amazing way to kick off the holiday season and support local businesses.”
For information about the Chamber of Commerce and Ocean City events visit www.oceancityvacation.com or call 1-800-BeachNJ.
Friends Kari Dukes and Lynn Mesure, both of Philadelphia, await a horse and carriage ride clad in pajamas and glittery slippers.
Ocean City mascots Martin Z. and Mollie Mollusk get into the spirit. (Photo courtesy of Chamber of Commerce)
