A Look Back
By Fred Miller
Halloween has been celebrated in Ocean City since the earliest days of the resort, sometimes with too much enthusiasm! An editorial titled “CRIMINAL ACTS” was in the November 9, 1893 Ocean City Sentinel. Editor R. Curtis Robinson wrote, “Some of the pranks played by those who celebrated Halloween in this place merit severe condemnation.”
One hundred and twenty-four years ago, the November 5, 1896 Ocean City Sentinel reported, “Hallowe’en masqueraders no doubt contributed in their own gayety whether they do so much as they think to that of the spectators. Hallowe’en sports at home contribute considerable amusement to most well conducted family circles. In the country and smaller towns the masqueraders get a little too exuberant sometimes, their mischief taking the form of tipping over outhouses, carrying off gates, removing the wheels from wagon, stripping the belated cabbage patches and other pranks more or less vexatious to those at whose expense they are played.”
“Masqueraders Were Out in Force on Hallowe’en” was the headline in the November 2, 1905 Ocean City Sentinel. The article reported, “Old King Comus held high carnival on the streets of Ocean City on Hallowe’en. Never before were there seen so many masqueraders as were out on Tuesday evening last. The streets were alive with fun-lovers attired in fantastic garb.”
“MASQUERADERS FILLED STREETS ON HALLOW-E’EN” was the headline in the November 3, 1910 Ocean City Sentinel. The article reported, “The main streets of Ocean City were filled with bands of merry makers Monday night Hallow-e’en and the get-up and antic of many of the masqueraders attracted much attention from on-lookers.”
One hundred and four years ago, this was the headline in the November 2, 1916 Sentinel: “Large Crowd of People in Varied Costumes, Had Pleasant Evening.” Trophies were award in various categories.
“HALLOWE’EN CARNIVAL HERE WAS SPLENDID SUCCESS” was the headline in the November 4, 1920 Ocean City Sentinel. The article began, “Ocean City, through the Young Men’s Progressive League, demonstrated on Monday evening that the people of this resort can accomplish results when they attempt anything.
“The Hallow’en parade was the prettiest (and parts of it the most grotesque) affair of its kind ever seen in this resort.”
Ocean City’s Halloween parade has been held every year since 1920 even during World War II. During the war years (1942, 1943 and 1944), the annual parade was held inside the Music Pier.
The parade had been organized by the Young Men’s Progressive League, the Chamber of Commerce, the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association, the Department of Public Relation, but since 1948 it has been run by the Exchange Club of Ocean City.
