The wacky Doo Dah Parade begins Downtown and makes its way to the Boardwalk Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
The early forecast for the weekend looks great, and Ocean City will be ready to welcome spring with the annual Doo Dah Parade on Saturday, April 15.
The Doo Dah Parade is Ocean City’s season-opening celebration of all things humorous. The procession features marching bands, floats and a brigade of hundreds of basset hounds. The parade starts at noon Saturday.
The 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 First Ocean City Doo Dah Parade was held on April 19, 1986. It was based on the original Doo Dah Parade, a spoof of the Rose Bowl Parade, held in Pasadena, California.
Ocean City’s event is always scheduled close to Tax Day, and it serves as a way to blow off steam after filing income taxes. It’s also a great way to welcome a new season in Ocean City.
Former Philadelphia Phillies great Mickey Morandini will be the grand marshal of the parade.
Morandini was the second baseman for an underdog Phillies team that reached the sixth game of the World Series in 1993 -- much like the gritty Phillies team that surprised the world with their run to the World Series in November.
He played 11 years in the big leagues -- eight with the Phillies. In addition to the World Series, he has played for the U.S. in the Summer Olympics and for the National League in the All-Star Game.
Morandini will be available for free autographs and pictures at the Ocean City Music Pier for an hour after the parade.
Some highlights will include the Pleasantville High School Marching Band, the Hobo Band, the Jersey String Band, the Woodland String Band, Crescent Shriner’s Mini Cars, the Wildwood High School Marching Band and the Atlantic City Fire Department Sandpipers Band.
Mickey Morandini during his playing days with the Phillies. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR OCEAN CITY PAGEANTS
Searches for the next Miss Ocean City and Junior Miss Ocean City have begun with the announcement of the application process for interested contestants.
To be eligible to compete in the Miss Ocean City Pageant, young women must be at least 16 years old by August 1, 2023, and must not have reached their 21st birthday by August 12, 2023; attend or have graduated from Ocean City High School; or have parents/guardians who own property in Ocean City or a sending district to Ocean City High School (including Sea Isle City, Upper Township and Longport).
The Miss Ocean City Pageant will be held on Saturday, August 12, at the Ocean City Music Pier. Contestants will compete in interview, talent, swimsuit, poise and onstage question.
To be eligible to compete in the Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant, young women must be 12 years old by August 1, 2023, and must not have reached their 16th birthday by August 1, 2023.
The Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant will be held on Saturday, August 19, at the Ocean City Music Pier. Contestants will be judged in on-stage question, talent, poise and appearance, and a judges’ interview.
The city is in search of volunteers who have experience and interest in the pageant organizations. Please review the volunteer positions and feel free to reach out for more information about each one.
For a pageant application, volunteer application and additional information, visit ocnj.us/MissOceanCity, ocnj.us/JuniorMissOceanCity or email [email protected]. Applications also can be picked up at the City Hall Welcome Center (861 Asbury Avenue).
Miss Ocean City Grace Oves receiving her crown in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Oves family)
