Philadelphia sports legends Bernie Parent and Vince Papale will be among the grand marshals for the 70th annual Night in Venice boat parade on July 26 in Ocean City.
The theme of this year’s event is “70 Years of Champions.” It’s a chance to celebrate this year’s Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and any other local sports champion from the past seven decades.
In two of the best seasons ever by an NHL goalie, Parent helped the Philadelphia Flyers win consecutive Stanley Cups in the 1973-74 and 1974-75 seasons. Parent won the Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy both seasons. Parent is a 1984 inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame and currently resides in Avalon.
Papale was a 30-year-old teacher, coach and part-time bartender in 1976 when he attended a public tryout for the Philadelphia Eagles. Not only did he make the team, but he became a fan favorite and earned the team’s “Man of the Year” honors in 1978 for his gritty play on special teams. His story is the subject of the film “Invincible.”
Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty has also confirmed his participation in this year’s parade.
Ocean City is getting ready to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Night in Venice, and here’s how you can join the fun.
- Participate: Entries are currently being accepted from all those who want to participate in the annual bayfront celebration. The boat parade and decorated bayfront home contests provide a chance to be part of the highlight of the summer season in Ocean City. The theme for the 2025 event is “70 Years of Champions.” It will be an opportunity for people to honor the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles or any other championship team, individual or group from the past seven decades. The theme is always optional, and entries for boats and homes are currently being accepted online at www.ocnj.us/NIV or by calling 609-399-6111. Participants will receive a commemorative mug and poster by local artist Aaron “Bogy” Bogushefsky.
- Spectate: Tickets are on sale for a special viewing area at the Bayside Center at 520 Bay Ave. The viewing area will include a picnic spot and snack stand, face-painting, a DJ, and bleacher seating. Ticket prices will be $6 for children (12-and-under) and $10 for adults (with service fees included). The area will remain open and provide a perfect spot to view a spectacular fireworks display after the boat parade. The boat parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and the fireworks display will go off at approximately 9:30 p.m. Admission is limited, so don’t wait to make your purchase. The parade is free to watch from other areas, and bleacher seating will be set up at street ends with a free shuttle service running from remote parking areas.
- Yacht Rock: At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 25, Boat House Row: The Yacht Rock Experience will perform a special concert at the Music Pier to open Night in Venice Weekend. The six-piece band will perform smooth hits from the 1970s and 1980s, including music from Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Steely Dan, Toto and many more. Ticket prices are $30 and $25 (inclusive of fees). Tickets are available online at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111 or in-person at the Music Pier Box Office, City Hall, the Welcome Center on the Ninth Street causeway, and the 46th Street Information Center.
- 5K Run: The third annual Night in Venice 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk is scheduled for the morning of Night in Venice on Saturday, July 26, 2025, and registration for the event is now open. The 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) race will start at 8 a.m. at 19th Street and Haven Avenue, and the one-mile walk will begin soon after. The race will follow a flat, out-and-back course along Haven Avenue and the adjacent bike path. Online registration and more information are available at: www.runsignup.com/NIV5k.
“I want to thank Dave Winslow and the Night in Venice Committee, the city and Chamber teams, our sponsors, all the marine safety personnel, and the community for putting this event together,” Mayor Gillian said. “I’m looking forward to another fun year for Night in Venice.”
Look for more announcements about the 2025 lineup as the event approaches. Presenting sponsors for 2025 Night in Venice are ACME Markets and OCNJ Watersports.
Music Pier features concerts and theater
The Ocean City Music Pier will be host to a week of great music and theater.
The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company’s Junior Company kicks things off on Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, with “The Prom: School Edition.” A talented cast of high school students from across the Delaware Valley will tell the story of four eccentric Broadway stars who find themselves in desperate need of a new stage. When they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know it’s their time to shine a spotlight on the issue—and themselves. In addition to being a Broadway hit, “The Prom” was also adapted into a successful film featuring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, James Corden, Kerry Washington and others. Tickets ($15) are available at oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
The Ocean City Pops orchestra will turn up the “County Jukebox: Kenny, Dolly and Friends” in a great show at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20. The set list will stretch from 1950s classics all the way to contemporary hits. Tickets are available online at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111 or in-person at the Music Pier Box Office, City Hall, the Welcome Center on the Ninth Street causeway, and the 46th Street Information Center.
The summer series will feature other productions, including:
- July 29 – A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD (TYA): A hit on Broadway, “A Year with Frog and Toad” was nominated for three Tony Awards – including Best Musical. Based on Arnold Lobel’s well-loved books and featuring a hummable score by Robert and Willie Reale, this whimsical show follows two great friends through four fun-filled seasons
Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners through the Cape May County Division of Culture & Heritage. Tickets are priced at $11 in advance and $13 on the day of the show. They are available at oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
Weekly family events
A full summer of weekly events will begin in July. The lineup this year will include:
- Beach Exercise – Yoga (8 a.m. at 6th Street Beach) and Family Nights on the Boardwalk (7-9 p.m.) on Mondays.
- Beach Walks (9 a.m. at 59th Street and Central), Fantastic Tuesdays (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Asbury Avenue) and Mummers Nights (7-9 p.m. on the Boardwalk) on Tuesdays.
- Beach Exercise – Pilates Yoga (8 a.m. at 6th Street Beach), Beach Walks (6:30 p.m. at 59th Street and Central), and Family Nights on the Boardwalk (7-9 p.m.) on Wednesdays.
- Market Days (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Asbury Avenue) and Mummers Nights (7-9 p.m. on the Boardwalk) on Thursdays.
- Beach Exercise – Low Impact (8 a.m. at 6th Street Beach) and Walking Club (8 a.m. on the Boardwalk from the Music Pier) on Fridays.
