By MADDY VITALE
There was snow in Ocean City on Friday night, well, from an ice machine on a float, as the city celebrated the holiday with its annual Christmas Parade.
Asbury Avenue, decked out in old-fashioned decorations, appeared to be more like a holiday movie set as families enjoyed the festive atmosphere. This wasn’t just any old parade. The number of parade goers rivaled a crowd on a bustling summer weekend.
The parade stretched from Sixth Street to 11th Street and featured 60 entries, including the Ocean City High School Marching Band, the Pleasantville High School Marching Band, and the Absegami High School Marching Braves. Characters from “Frozen” also made an impressive appearance on their float.
Kristi and Kevin DeCarlo, who bought a home in Ocean City this year, said they were making the parade an annual tradition for them and their children, Logan, 7, and 9-year-old Carter.
“We are so happy to celebrate our first year here with our children. The town is so festive,” Kristi DeCarlo said.
“It as just that nice small-town feel,” Kevin DeCarlo pointed out.
The boys were excited about what they would see during the parade.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the big floats,” Logan said.
Carter added, “I want to see Santa.”
Fire engines sounded their sirens to the excitement of the children. Elves made their way along the parade route, joined by lots of floats in multi-color blinking lights.
Skateboarders dressed in the holiday spirit and zipped along, entertaining the crowds. Dance routines kept the holiday momentum going. There were quite a few Grinches that waved to the crowd atop floats.
Marching bands kept the beat going, and to cap off the evening, Santa made his appearance, by way of horse drawn carriage, to the delight of the revelers.
After the parade, the Upper Township Elementary and Middle School Choir sang in front of City Hall.
Spectators, such as Dennis and Debbie Fish, of Somers Point, watched in anticipation for the different floats.
They brought their great granddaughter, Malia Bradshaw, and grandson, Alex Rodriguez, to enjoy the festive event.
“We used to live in Ocean City, and we love the parade,” Debbie Fish said. “We wanted to bring the kids to enjoy it. It’s just so nice.”
Robin and Gary Parris, of Upper Township, and their daughter, Meghan, and son-in-law Jim Lowe, also of Upper Township, said the night was about a long-standing family tradition.
They lived in Ocean City and Gary Parris is retired from the Ocean City Police Department. Jim Lowe works in dispatch at the department.
“It’s so much fun. We know so many people. We have been coming to the parade since I can remember,” Meghan said.
“It is an absolute tradition,” Robin Parris noted. “It is absolutely wonderful.”
The Lowe’s children, Ben, 9, and 3-year-old twins, Andy and Alex, watched the parade while anxiously awaiting their brother, 11-year-old Sam, who was in one of the bands.
“There he is!” Meghan called out in excitement as she and her family waved to a smiling Sam.
This is the kickoff to the season of celebrations. A night like Friday’s parade may be hard to top — but it is worth trying. There is a lineup of holiday events in Ocean City through the next few weeks that would even make a Grinch’s heart grow … but that is for another story.
