Guide to Ocean City's Night in Venice

Ocean City's Night in Venice is one of the biggest events of the summer for visitors and the height of the summer social scene for bayside residents.

The annual boat parade starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16. The lineup of decorated boats will proceed from the base of the Ocean City-Longport Bridge along the bayfront, in and out of lagoons along the way, all the way to Tennessee Avenue (off Bay Avenue between 22nd and 23rd streets).

Parade organizers expect fewer boats and fewer decorated homes this year.

"The recession has prompted many to forgo the expense of decorating and fueling boats," Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer said. "Some homeowners, too, have been hesitant about scheduling parties and decorating."

Soifer said visitors can still expect a spectacular parade and more than 50 boats and 140 decorated homes.

"Night in Venice has been held every year since its inception in 1954," he said. "It has never been cancelled by the weather, real or financial. Recognizing that there are families in the area who are in financial need, the Night In Venice Committee will divert $500 of its prize money to the Ocean City Food Cupboard."

Here are the parade details:

Best Places to Watch: If you're not invited to (or crashing) one of the many private parties that help Ocean City earn the label "the wettest dry town in America," your best bet is at one of the street ends along the route. The parade lineup sometimes thins as boats choose not to complete the route, so streets at the beginning of the parade (at the north end of Ocean City) might be your best bet. There will be free grandstand seating set up at most street ends. 

The Bayside Center (between Fifth and Sixth streets on Bay Avenue) will offer live entertainment, refreshment sales, parade viewing and a picnic setting for an admission price of $7 (adults) and $3 (12-and-unders). The location opens at 5 p.m. with music by the Good Tymes Band, games, crafts and face-painting for children. Tickets are available at City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave., 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday at the Music Pier Box Office. No alcohol is permitted.

Parking and Shuttle: Free shuttles to all viewing locations will be available from the Ocean City Municipal Airport parking lot, 25th Street and Bay Avenue, and the soccer field at Tennessee Avenue (toward the bay off Bay Avenue) starting at 5 p.m. Shuttles also will make stop at the Ocean City Community Center, 1735 Simpson Ave. The service will be available until midnight. 

Traffic Information: The Ninth Street Bridge will be closed to all traffic leaving Ocean City at approximately 7:45 p.m. until all boats pass through. The new fixed-span bridge at Ninth Street will remain open to all inbound traffic. The Ocean City-Longport and 34th Street bridges will remain open to car traffic.

Parking will be prohibited on Bay Avenue from 14th Street to 24th Street on the east side and from 16th Street to 24th Street on the west side. This will be in effect from midnight Friday, July 15, to midnight Saturday, July 16.

No pedestrian or bicycle traffic will be permitted on any part of the Ninth Street bridges or Route 52 causeway during the parade.

Grand Marshal and Miss Night in Venice: Philadelphia Flyers forward Ian Laperriere leads the parade as grand marshal. The lineup also includes and her court.

To enter the boat or home competition: Stop at City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave., 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday. Cal, 609-525-9300 or email msoifer@hotmail.com or fax 609-399-0374. Entry in the competition is free.

Homes in the competition will be judged between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Be sure to show your address on the back of your home for judges.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the best-decorated boat. Trophies will be presented to the best decorated boats and homes.

All boat owners will receive a $50 cash card, a special captain's gift and a photo of their boat sailing in the parade. Home and boat owners will receive a commemorative mug featuring Night In Venice optional theme, Broadway on the Bay.

Safety: Both car drivers and boat captains must refrain from drinking alcohol. Ocean City Police will be patrolling the streets and directing traffic. The bay will be heavily patrolled by the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Marine Police and 14 Night in Venice patrol boats. No swimming or rafting is permitted in lagoon areas during the parade. Any activity in the lagoons during the event including water ball tossing is prohibited and will be enforced by the police.

Merchants of Venice Seafood Festival: The annual pre-parade festival is set for 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 15, between Sixth and Ninth streets on Asbury Avenue. The event features an array of seafood, entertainment and rides for kids. Seafood is for sale. Admission is free.