Atlantic City Weekly

The current Miss New Jersey Ashley Shaffer.

Pageants and parades

It’s pageant week in Ocean City as The Miss Artisan Pageant is held Saturday, June 12, and the really big pageant, Miss New Jersey, kicks-off on Wednesday, June 16.

The Miss Artisan Pageant has become a bit of an Ocean City tradition, even if it is a little low-key. The Artisans Order of Mutual Protection return Friday to Sunday for their 65th annual weekend in Ocean City. The Artisans are headquartered in Philadelphia and were formed more than 100 years ago to provide insurance for working people.

On Saturday, the organization will present the annual Miss Artisan Pageant, 8pm, in the Ocean City Music Pier (Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace). During this colorful event, the Artisans select the young lady to represent them for the coming year. There will be entertainment and admission is free and open to the public.

The Miss New Jersey pageant really brings home the pageant feeling, starting with a Boardwalk Parade 7pm Wednesday. All 27 of this year’s contestants will dress in unusual costumes depicting exotic creatures. The parade includes music, floats and several special attractions. Current Miss New Jersey Ashley Shaffer leads the parade.

The pageant itself begins Thursday, June 17, at the Music Pier. Preliminaries are scheduled for Thursday and Friday with the finals on Sat., June 19.

Tickets are available by calling Mary Lou Cake at 856-424-3564. The Miss New Jersey Pageant is part of Miss America, which is staging a bit of a comeback this year as it returns to ABC. — Mike Pritchard

Cultural Calendar

Saturday June 12

The Ocean City Cop Chase

Wonderland Pier, 5th and Boardwalk. A 5K run, 2-mile fitness walk and children’s events. The chase supports scholarships for high school seniors, a Christmas toy drive for local youth and distribution of free bike helmets. The 5K race starts 8am. Two-mile walk starts 8:15am. Registration is at Ocean City High School Track, 6th St. off Boardwalk, from 6:45-7:45am. The city Police Department will host a series of short dash races at the High School track after the 5K run for children 5-12. Entry is free. All who participate will receive ribbons and a chance to win a bicycle compliments of 8th Street Bikes. Visit ocpba.com or call 525-9108 or 391-5223.

Ocean City Firefighters Beach Volleyball Tournament

5th St. Beach. Entry fee is $100 for a four person coed team, $120 the day of the tournament. 8:30am-4:30pm. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Sponsored by the Ocean City Fire Department. Rain date, June 13. Call Chris 609-412-666.
Humane Society of Ocean City – Family Golf Tournament

O.C. Municipal Golf Course, 2600 Bay Ave. Teams of four. Lunch is served following the event at the Red Barn building. Teams should pre-register at the shelter. For more information call 609-398-4200 or visit hsocnj.org.

Miss Artisan Pageant

Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Includes entertainment. Free.

June 16-19

Miss New Jersey Pageant

Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Boardwalk Parade Wed. 7pm. Preliminaries June 17-18 and the final on Sat., June 19. Tickets are available by calling Mary Lou Cake at 856-424-3564.