Doo Dah Parade, Mr. Mature, More In Ocean City This Week

OCEAN CITY, N.J. — Ocean City's schedule is packed with activities this week. Here's what's going on.

Doo Dah Parade, April 13, noon

The annual Doo Dah Parade returns and so do marching bands, floats and hundreds of basset hounds. Barbara Eden, the star of "I Dream of Jeannie" will serve as the grand marshal before hosting the Mr. Mature America Pageant later that evening.

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.

Highlights include the Ocean City High School Marching Band, the Hobo Band, Jersey String Band, Shriner’s Mini Cars, the Pleasantville High School Marching Band, the 501st Star Wars Legion, Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2019 Ava Tortorici, Miss Ocean City Megan Keenan, Junior Miss Ocean City Julia Wilson, Little Miss Ocean City Stevie Wright, Mr. Mature America 2018 Bill Quain and all of the 2019 pageant contestants.

Mr. Mature America Pageant, April 13, 7 p.m.

Six of the nation's finest will compete for the coveted crown, with all taking home a ceremonial ham for their efforts. The pageant includes competition in talent, judge’s interview, poise and appearance and on-stage question.

Advance tickets for the show are on sale now and available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111, or at the City Hall Welcome Center (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue), the Roy Gillian Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway or the 46th Street Welcome Center. Tickets also will be available at the Music Pier on the day of the event.

Eden will hold a meet-and-greet session after the pageant at about 8:30 p.m. All signatures (on items provided or on an 8x10 photo provided by Eden) will be $50. Autographs on any genie bottles brought will be $75. Photos are an additional $25 with purchase of an autograph.

Wild Wild West Event, April 11, 5 to 7 p.m.

This Wild Wild West-themed cocktail party includes light fare; live demonstrations of painting, music, dance and more; artwork and jewelry for sale; a 50/50 raffle; and cash bar.

Tickets cost $35. Themed attire is welcome. A prize will be awarded for Best Costume for Cowboy or Cowgirl. To reserve tickets, call 609-399-7628 or visit the Ocean City Arts Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue.

Basset Hound Olympics, April 12, 1 p.m.

The hounds in town for the Doo Dah Parade compete in sprints, obstacle courses and more on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle.

You can bring a basset or come to watch. The event event benefits the Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue, a nonprofit that rescues basset hounds and basset hound mixes. To learn more about this event or about the rescue, please visit tristatebassets.org.

Author's High Tea Ticket Sale, April 12 and 13

The Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library present the annual Author's High Tea at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 2 at the Flanders Hotel in Ocean City. The guest speaker will be Nancy A. Hughes, mystery writer and author of “The Dying Hour” and the trilogy of “A Matter of Trust,” “Redeeming Trust” and “Vanished.”

Tickets can be purchased 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 12 and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 13 in the atrium outside the library (1735 Simpson Avenue). Cost per ticket is $30. For more information, visit www.friendsvolunteersocfpl.com.

The Great Egg Hunt, April 13 and 20, 2:30 p.m.

Two major egg hunts on the beach for children up to 7 years old. The free event features areas divided by age group and for children with special needs.

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