Registration Open For Ocean City's Mr. Mature America Pageant

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Applications are now being accepted from anyone looking to participate in this year’s Mr. Mature America Pageant in Ocean City. The pageant will take place on April 14, 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.

The Mr. Mature America Pageant celebrates the achievements of men 55 years and older. The pageant, now in its fifth year, mixes talent, good looks and self-deprecating humor. Contestants ham it up on stage, competing in talent, poise and interview segments.

Anyone looking to participate can complete the online entry form available at www.ocnj.us/mrmature or call Michael Hartman at 609-525-9284 for more information. Deadline for sign-ups is March 14.

The event is the first and only pageant of its kind in the United States, according to Ocean City officials. Erik Estrada, who captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide in his six-year run as highway patrol officer Frank Poncherello in the TV series "CHiPs," will host this year’s show.

The historic Flanders Hotel returns as a founding sponsor this year. The Flanders will cater meals for contestants and offer special rates for attendees during the pageant weekend.

Tickets are on sale now for between $18 and $30. They are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111, or in-person at the City Hall Welcome Center or the Roy Gillian Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway.

Earlier in the day, Ocean City kicks off the season of silly with the annual Doo Dah Parade. Registration also is open for any individuals, groups or businesses who want to participate in the Doo Dah Parade at noon on April 14. Sign up at www.ocnj.us/Doo-Dah-Parade.

The Doo Dah Parade was first held in Ocean City in 1986 as an event to herald the end of income tax season. It featured unusual entries like beach chair drill teams and fan clubs of legendary comedians.

The parade begins on Asbury Avenue at Sixth Street, proceeds to 12th Street and turns east to the boardwalk. This year it will pass the Ocean City Music Pier and finish on the boardwalk at Sixth Street.

For more than a decade, the parade has been anchored by a legion of dogs from the Basset Hound Rescue League.

The attached images were provided by Ocean City Public Information Officer Doug Bergen:

Photo # 1: Matthew Allen, 64, of Newtown, Pa., is crowned Mr. Mature America in 2017.

Photo # 2: Gregg Clayton, 2017 first runner-up, performs “The Purple People Eater” to an appreciative crowd.

Photo # 3: Regis Philbin, the 2017 host, questions contestants in an on-stage interview.