Kids & Family
Ocean City Announces Theme Of Night In Venice Parade
Ocean City officials said the 66th annual boat parade will return on July 24. This year's theme is "Honoring Our Heroes."
OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City's 66th annual Night in Venice boat parade is set to return on July 24.
The parade's theme will be “Honoring Our Heroes,” though participants can also use last year’s planned “Olympics” theme.
Post-parade fireworks have been planned this year, according to Mayor Jay Gillian.
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"After missing last year’s event, I know everybody will be excited to get back into the swing of summer,” Gillian said in his weekly update on Friday. “This year’s optional theme will be “Honoring Our Heroes,” a salute to all those who helped us get through the year."
The Night in Venice boat parade starts at 6 p.m. July 24. The boat parade begins near the Ocean City-Longport toll bridge and travels along the bayside to Tennessee Avenue, looping in and out of lagoons along the way.
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To view the Night in Venice boat parade, grandstands will be set up at street ends along the bay from Battersea Road to 16th Street, and also at Tennessee Avenue.
The Bayside Center at 520 Bay Ave will be open with a picnic area, food for sale and bleacher seating plus live entertainment. The parade is free to watch at all locations except the Bayside Center. Ticket information has not been announced yet.
Free parking and shuttle service will run starting at 4 p.m. Parking will be available at the Ocean City Municipal Airport, the soccer field at Tennessee Avenue and the Ocean City Community Center.
Shuttles will drop off spectators at street ends where they can watch the parade and return them to the parking lots afterward. The shuttle also drops off at the Bayside Center. The service is free and will be available until 11 p.m.
Fireworks will be launched after the parade from a barge in the bay north of the Ninth Street Bridge near Third Street. The display should be best viewed from street ends or the bayfront between the Ocean City-Longport toll bridge and 16th Street, officials said.
Entries for boats and homes are currently being accepted online at www.ocnj.us/niv or by calling 609-399-6111.
The deadline to register is July 21 at noon.
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