Jim Gardner To Be Grand Marshal In Ocean City's Night In Venice

OCEAN CITY, NJ — This year, Night in Venice will be celebrating all things Philadelphia. When the annual event returns on July 29, the theme will be "It's a Philly Thing" and the iconic Action News anchor Jim Gardner will serve as Grand Marshal.

For more than 45 years, Gardner was a daily presence for Delaware Valley residents as anchor for the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. broadcasts on 6abc Action News. The beloved reporter retired in 2022.

The theme gives participants a chance to celebrate Philadelphia's rich history and culture in sports, food, music, education, government and more.

Entries are currently being accepted for the boat parade and decorated bayfront home contests. For this highlight of the summer season in Ocean City, thousands of spectators line the bayfront, and thousands more attend private parties at homes along the route from the Ocean City-Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue.

You can enter online at www.ocnj.us/niv or by calling 609-399-6111.

Presenting sponsors for 2023 Night in Venice are ACME Markets and the Jet Drive Exchange Boat Club.