Guide to the 30th Annual Doo Dah Parade in Ocean City

This Saturday marks the 30th annual DooDah Parade in Ocean City.

The following is a guide to this weekend’s events, as provided by Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer:

WHO WILL BEGIN PARADE: The colorful Pitman Hobo Band will lead the parade for the 30th year. The Parade starts at 6th and Asbury Avenue, goes to 12th and Asbury, turns to the Boardwalk and ends at the Music Pier where there will be various ceremonies and the exciting PieAsco.

The Hobo Band will be joined by two Dixieland Bands, a Bagpipe Band and the “School of Rock,” two high school pop bands.

WHO WILL END THE PARADE: At least 500, easygoing, ear flapping, tail wagging Basset Hounds in honor of the Tri State Basset Hound Rescue League that finds a home for abandoned bassets and rehabilitates them. Following the parade, there will be a gathering of the friendly pooches at the Ocean City High School Practice Field, 6th Street off Boardwalk. The public is invited to fraternize with the doggies and enjoy the display tents. Admission is free.

The Ocean City Dog Park will also feature a Canine Brigade of dog park luminaries.

WHO WILL BE GRAND MARSHAL: Momma Dietz, the CEO and colorful spokesperson of Dietz and Watson, will be grand marshal. Dietz and Watson has been the major sponsor of the Parade since its beginning. Momma Dietz, a 90-year-old dynamo, has been with the company for 70 years. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she is responsible for its phenomenal growth.

WHO ELSE OF NOTE WILL BE FEATURED IN THE PARADE: Hall of Fame Rock’n Roll drummer of the original Bill Haley’s Comets, Ocean City’s Dick Richards; Mr. Mature America 2015 Gary Sakas; Michael T. Wright, impersonating the late Joe Franklin, former grand marshal who greatly assisted the Parade, Martin Z. Mollusk, Wonder Bear; Trash Buster, the Canned Crusader, who has been in every Parade; and Mr. Pie in the Face, who stars in the PieAsco smooshing after the Parade.

WHO ELSE OF NOTE? Rapid T. Rabbit’s array of costumed characters who have been with the Parade for 20 years. Based out of New York, this brigade features performers who have appeared throughout the country. There will be the Shore Points Roller Blade Contingent, the Ghost Busters Brigade, and many other humorous groups to entertain viewers. Also impersonators of legendary comedians including Harpo Marx and Laurel and Hardy.

Plus: The Ocean City High School Drama Club Brigade, Ocean City and Cape May County Pageant winners , and many other humorous individuals. After the parade, visitors are invited to meet the celebrities and characters in front of the Music Pier.

Scott Schell, who has composed an album of songs about the Doo Dah Parade, will be the special guest. He will perform a song on the reviewing stand after the parade.

FINAL PARADE EVENT: The popular PieAsco in honor of the late, great comedian Soupy Sales who attended Doo Dah for six consecutive years. Soupy had one of the first humorous syndicated TV shows. A feature of the show would be the appearance of celebrities such as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr., who would smoosh each other in the face with Shaving Cream Pies. Shaving cream was used because it could be quickly removed from the expensive suits of his guests without causing damage.

After the parade, folks will sit in grandstands by the Music Pier and when Dick Richards gives the signal - smoosh each other. Entry in event is free. Bring a towel.

BUT WAIT! WAIT! THERE’S MORE!: On Friday, April 11, the day before the parade, the Basset Hound folks will hold the hilarious Basset Hound Olympics, 1p.m. on the Tabernacle Grounds, 6th and Asbury Avenue. The nonchalant bassets race (sort of) leap over hurdles (some prefer walk around them) negotiate tunnels, then wander to the sidelines and take a nap. Event is free.

Also on Friday, Dr. Joel Goodman, creator of the Humor Project of Saratoga Springs New York, will present a program on the benefits of humor, 2 p.m., at the Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th and Simpson Avenue. Goodman has given such programs on all seven continents of the world and for many major corporations and government agencies. Entry is free.

The attached images were provided by Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer.