The star of the Broadway version of Disney’s “Frozen” will be the featured performer for a special Ocean City Pops concert July 14 at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Caissie Levy, who is currently starring as Elsa in the stage production of “Frozen,” also will join Chubby Checker and Kate Flannery as a special guest in the 65th annual Night in Venice boat parade on July 13.
Tickets are on sale now for Levy’s show, and registration is open for anybody who would like to participate in Night in Venice as part of the boat parade or home decorating contest.
Levy also has performed on Broadway in “Les Miserables,” “Wicked,” “Hairspray” and “Rent.” She headlined Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops and backed up Rod Stewart during his Las Vegas residency.
This show replaces the Patina Miller show that was canceled last week due to a scheduling conflict for Miller. The Levy show is 7:30 p.m. July 14. Tickets are $45 to $55. Visit www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by one of the welcome centers at City Hall (861 Asbury Avenue), the Route 52 causeway, 46th Street and West Avenue, or the Music Pier Box Office on weekends.
Plans for a festive 65th anniversary celebration of Ocean City’s premier summer event, Night in Venice, are in the works.
The boat parade and decorated bayfront home contest are a highlight of the season in Ocean City. Thousands of spectators line the bay, and thousands more attend private parties at homes along the route from the Ocean City-Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue. A fireworks display caps off the bayfront festivities at the conclusion of the parade.
The parade this year starts at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. The “Celebrate! 65 Years of Night in Venice” theme is optional but offers a chance to reminisce about favorite Night in Venice memories through the years.
Entries for boats and homes are currently being accepted online at www.ocnj.us/niv or by calling 609-399-6111.
Checker will help kick off Night in Venice weekend with a special concert with his band, the Wildcats, 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 12 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The rock ‘n’ roll icon will perform “The Twist” and other hits from his legendary career. He will return on Saturday to appear in the Night in Venice boat parade.
Flannery, star of NBC’s “The Office,” will greet fans before her appearance in the boat parade. She will be at the Ocean City Music Pier starting at 11 a.m. Saturday (July 13). Tickets are available for an autograph and a selfie photograph with Flannery.
Tickets for these shows and for admission to a special Night in Venice viewing area at the Bayside Center (Bayfront near Sixth Street) are available at www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111, and at welcome centers throughout town.
ACME returns as a presenting sponsor for Night in Venice this year. Free shuttle transportation will be available and free grandstands will be set up at street ends along the route. For more information on participating in the event or attending, visit www.ocnj.us/NIV or call 609-399-6111.
RESTAURANT WEEK RUNS JUNE 7 TO 14:
Restaurant Week offers a great chance to sample new Ocean City dining options or to get great prices at favorite spots. Participating restaurants offer special fixed-price options, usually for two. This year’s specials run June 7 through June 14. Restaurants and specials are listed at www.eatinocnj.com.
NEW BAYFRONT EVENT PLANNED FOR JUNE 22:
The inaugural Bayside Family Day is planned for 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 22 in the bayfront park at Second Street and Bay Avenue. The new event will feature live music, food vendors, entertainment, educational demonstrations and more.
Sponsors include local businesses such as Totally Tubular Watersports, Ocean City Parasail, Jet Drive Exchange Boat & Jet Ski Club and Pirate Voyages. For more information, call 1-800-BEACHNJ.
COMING UP THIS WEEK:
WONDER’S BIRTHDAY BASH AT WONDERLAND PIER (June 6): Free fireworks show following an evening of discounted rides at Wonderland Pier, Sixth Street and Boardwalk. The company is celebrating 90 years of rides on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
ARTISANS FAMILY WEEKEND (June 7 to 9): The Artisans Order of Mutual Protection will hold their 74th annual Family Weekend in Ocean City.
The highlight of the weekend will be the Miss Artisan Pageant and a show by the Original Hobo Band to be held at the Music Pier on June 8. The Hobo Band will perform at 7 p.m. followed by the Miss Artisan Pageant at 8 p.m. Admission is free.
SKATO WITH KATO (June 7): OC Skate Park, 5th & Asbury Ave., 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sponsored by the Humane Society of Ocean City. For more information call 609-398-9500 ext. 4 or visit www.hsocnj.org
COP CHASE (June 8): 5K Footrace, 2 Mile Fitness Walk on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Proceeds from the Ocean City Police Chase will benefit the Ocean City Police Benevolent Association who support scholarships for high hchool seniors, The Christmas toy drive, and distribution of free bike helmets with the funds they raise throughout the year. For more info, call 609-525-9108 or visit www.ocpba.com.
FLAG DAY CEREMONY (June 8): Meet local veterans, enjoy refreshments and join a flag-raising ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday in the park near the foot of the Ocean City-Longport Bridge.
FATHER-CHILD GOLF TOURNAMENT (June 22): The Ocean City Recreation Department will sponsor a Father-Child Golf Tournament at 11 a.m. June 22 at the Ocean City Municipal Golf Course (2600 Bay Avenue). To register in advance, please visit www.ocnj.us/Father-Child-Golf-Tournament.
