Night in Venice boat parade sails into Ocean City July 28
All photos by Donald Kravitz
You might not be able to take a trip to Italy this summer, but escaping to Venice for a night is definitely a prospect.
Although the coastal Italian city whisks its visitors away through beautiful canals with bright colored buildings, exquisite Italian cuisine and opera music, another coastal city in New Jersey hosts its own Venice-themed evening.
Ocean City’s Night in Venice is one of the largest boat parades in the world. This annual tradition brings together boaters from not only Ocean City, but all over the region.
One night each summer, the parade lights up the waters of Ocean City starting at the foot of the Longport Bridge, through the bay and on to Tennessee Avenue.
This year’s Night in Venice, which starts at 6pm on Sat., July 28, will be the first in which there will be no traffic delays due to the (old) Ninth Street Causeway drawbridge openings.
Every year, people flock to Ocean City to watch the impressive procession from the shore and the bridges. The owners of condo and house balconies — and docks — are encouraged to decorate for the event. Viewers enjoy the brightly lit boats while boaters enjoy the lit-up houses.
The first boat in the parade carries Miss Night in Venice and her court. A fundraising drive chooses the queen and her court with all proceeds going to benefit local charities. The boats that follow in the wake of Miss Night in Venice carry local Ocean City dignitaries and politicians.
Thousands of spectators throughout the island and mainland will be checking out what has been called an “amazing show of boats.”
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian will be leading a flotilla of about 100 decorated boats, which are separated into categories based on length.
The boats that are best decorated will receive prizes in specific categories, such as “most original” and “best lighted.” The awards are given in memory of a long-time Night in Venice committee member and the director of the parade.
From lifeguard races, the completion of the Ocean City-Somers Point Bridge, sand sculpting contests and a themed boat parade, everyone has their favorite summer memory.
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