Night In Venice Returns to Ocean City Saturday Night

The annual Night in Venice Boat Parade commences Saturday night, July 11, 6 p.m. at the Longport Bridge.

Boats will sail along the Bay and in and out of Lagoons from the Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue.

About 70 boat owners and 200 Bay residents are expected to compete for prizes, according to Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer. The optional decorating theme is “Dancing Under the Stars.”

The parade can be seen from grandstands on street ends from Battersea Road to 14th Street. Seating is free.

Visitors will also be able to watch the Parade from the Bayside Center, 525 Bay Avenue, where there will be special limited bleacher seating, entertainment and refreshments for sale. Visitors can also bring their own chairs. No alcohol will be allowed.

The Bayside area will open at 4 p.m. The Good Tymes Band will play from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Children’s activities include crafts, games and face painting. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children. Call 609-399-6111.

John Stauffer, owner of Johnson’s Popcorn, will be the Grand Marshal of the parade. Johnson’s Popcorn is celebrating its 75th anniversary in Ocean City. Members of the Action News Weather Team will also be featured in the parade.

There will be free parking at the Ocean City Airport, 26th and Bay Avenue, and nearby Shelter Road from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Shuttles will take visitors to street end seating and the Bayside Center. There will be free transportation back to parking sites after the parade until 10 p.m.

To enter a boat in the celebration, visit www.ocnj.us/NIV, stop at the City Hall Welcome Center, 9th and Asbury Avenue, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. or call 609-399-6111.

Parking restrictions are in effect from midnight on Friday, July 10 through midnight on Saturday, July 11.

Both sides of Bay Avenue between 16th and 24th streets and the east side of Bay Avenue between 14th and 16th streets will have restrictions. Also included will be West 16th Street to West 18th Street. Cars remaining in the restricted area after deadline will be subject to towing at the owner’s expense.

The ordinance prohibiting open alcoholic containers in public will be strictly enforced. Residents should ,ake sure that guests stay on their property. Underage drinking will not be tolerated, and residents are reminded not to drink and drive. Both car drivers and boat captains must refrain from drinking.

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 Night In Venice Patrol Boats. Note: Ocean City Ordinance prohibits excessive noise after 10 p.m.

All pedestrians and bicyclists should use the Shared Bike Path and stay on the south side of the shoulder for viewing from the Route 52 Causeway.

No one will be allowed to bring chairs for seating onto the bridge. Persons must not block free movement on the shared bike path. No alcoholic beverages permitted on the bridge at any time. Persons are not permitted to walk along the bridge with motor vehicle traffic. Police will monitor the bridge while the parade is in progress for assistance.

Drivers should be aware that there will be large amounts of both pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the bayfront areas. To insure that everyone is safe, drivers should obey the laws of the road and yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. All roads are open to motor vehicle traffic.

The attached image is an Ocean City Patch file photo