OCEAN CITY, NJ — Registration is now open for people who want to take part in Ocean City's annual Halloween Parade or the Halloween House Decorating Contest, with several other holiday events also scheduled later this month.
The 78th annual Halloween Parade will begin at 7:15 p.m. Oct. 29 and follow Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street.
The parade is organized by the Exchange Club of Ocean City in partnership with the city. Organizers said everybody is welcome to watch or participate. Parade divisions include children or groups of children up to age 12, children or groups over 12, family groups, adult groups, animals and pets in costume, organizations marching in costume, cheerleaders and drill or dance teams, non-commercial floats and commercial floats.
People who want to join the parade can register by email at oceancity_halloween@yahoo.com. Registration information must include a name, email address or phone number, the division for entry, and a brief description of marchers, costumes or a vehicle. According to the announcement, an email confirmation with a registration number will be sent within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
Medals and trophies will be awarded to first- and second-place entrants. Judges will evaluate entries on appearance, originality and artistry. Winners will be notified by phone or email the day after the parade, and names also will appear in the next issue of the Ocean City Sentinel. More information on the parade is available at Ocean City Halloween Parade (ochp.blogspot.com), and information on the Exchange Club of Ocean City is available at www.ocxc.org.
The seventh annual Halloween House Decorating Contest also is accepting registrations. The deadline to sign up is 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. The contest will award prizes to homes and businesses in a variety of categories, and a list of participants will be posted so residents can see the decorated homes.
Judging for the decorating contest will take place on the evenings of Oct. 22 and 23 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Winners will receive gift certificate prize packages. Information and registration for the decorating contest are available at ocnj.us/halloweenhouse.
Ocean City also announced other Halloween events. A Halloween Costume Skate is scheduled from 4 p.m. to dusk Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue. The Ocean City Free Public Library will host Halloween Fest from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 1735 Simpson Avenue. Traditional trick-or-treating hours in Ocean City will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
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