Letter from the editor
Night in Venice is one of Ocean City’s most beloved summer traditions. The boat parade, now in its 70th year, is an islandwide celebration that brings the entire community together. Boats, decked out with lights, music and creative themes, cruise along the bay as thousands watch from the shoreline, bulkheads and back decks. Bayfront homes go all out with decorations and gatherings. It is a celebration of summer!
For my family and me, this tradition holds a special place in our hearts. It began for us in 1990, just after college, when Bob lived in a rental on the lagoon with a group of friends. The parties and celebrations around Night in Venice were unforgettable — the most fun-filled summer nights of my life.
As the years passed and we began a family of our own, the tradition evolved. Bob’s parents retired on the northern end of Ocean City, and we’d walk our kids each year to the bulkhead to watch the brightly decorated boats float by. His parents would head off to a party, and we’d take our sleepy little ones home, hearts full.
Later, when our daughters were teenagers, I remember picking them up from their shifts at Wonderland Pier and rushing to the bay just in time to catch the parade together. A few years ago, we even had the chance to ride in the parade aboard a friend’s boat. It was a blast — until a sudden thunderstorm soaked us all!
Still, the memories bring a smile every time. Whether you’re in the parade, watching from the shore or gathering with friends at a lagoon-front home, Night in Venice marks the pinnacle of summer — our halfway point through the season, and a reminder of just how lucky we are to spend summer at the Shore.
If you’re heading to this event Saturday be sure to check out the Guide to Night in Venice on pages 28 – 31.
Be sure to peruse the multiple event calendars in this edition and the entertainment guide outlined in yellow in the center of each issue of Shore Local. Let us know what some of your favorite summer traditions are. Please email us at shorelocalnews@gmail.com.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
