Page 18 The Gazette of OC / 2014/2015 COMMUNITY GUIDE

terest by all its citizens; and to support

the improvement of the general welfare,
health, comfort, safety and environment
of the whole island. The group meets
monthly in the Ocean City Library. For
more information, see www.OCCANJ.
org or call 609-399-5358.
Gardens Civic Association
For over 50 years, the Ocean City
Gardens Civic Association has dedicated
itself to raising funds for scholarships and
local charities. The organization con-
ducts various events to colelct funds for
high school seniors, Hope Pregnancy,
the Food Cupboard, the Clothes Closet,
and the Covenant House. These events
include a yard sale, the bike parade, the
annual dinner dance, Photos by the Sea,
and the New York theater trip.
There is a new membership drive in
June and annual dues are $15.
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Jacque Zoller at 609-399-3936 or jn-
zjsz@msn.com; or President Pat Watts
at 391-1657 or ljwatts4@aol.com. Pro-
spective members must reside in the Gar-
dens section of Ocean City.
Fairness in Taxes
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association that serves the taxpayers and
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cials and citizens the information needed
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government and education. The group
meets monthly in the Ocean City Library.
See fairnessintaxes.com for more infor-
mation.
Ocean City is home to many charities,
clubs and civic groups, from gardening to
philanthropy to politics to recreation.
Ocean City Ecumenical Council
The faith-based Ecumenical Council
of Ocean City gathers food, clothing and
money to feed and clothe those in need.
The Ocean City Community Food
Cupboard is located at St. Peters Method-
ist Church. Ocean City residents in need
will receive a generous emergency supply
of food once every 30 days. If further need
arises before 30 days have passed, the
client may receive a referral for additional
food from the Ocean City Social Service
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able food donations are welcome. Call
609-398-3191 for more information.
The Clothes Closet is located at 555
West Ave. Ocean City residents in need
and who can provide proof of residency
are welcome to visit the Clothes Closet.
Donations of lightly used, clean clothing
appropriate for the season are gratefully
accepted. People may bring their dona-
tions to the Clothes Closet during open
business hours. Call 609-398-1009 for
more information.
See www.ocecnj.org.
Exchange Club of Ocean City
The Exchange Club of Ocean City
was chartered June 4, 1947. In its cove-
nant of service, Exchangites vow to con-
secrate my best energies to the uplifting
of social, religious, political and business
ideals. Community projects include the
Book of Golden Deeds Award; the Free-
dom Shrine; the Roger LaRosa Golf
Tournament; Spring Block Party food
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Ocean City Pageant and Parade; Fall
Block Party food stand; Lynn Baker Me-
morial Golf Tournament; craft shows on
the Music Pier; Ocean City High School
scholarships; the Halloween parade; and
funds for the prevention of child abuse.
The club meets weekly. For more infor-
mation, see www.ocexchangeclub.
org.
Ocean City Fishing Club
The Ocean City Fishing Club has been
a proud and civic-minded member of the
Ocean City community for more than 100
years. Founded in 1913, the club is the
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in the United States. It is headquartered
on the Boardwalk near 14th Street, with a
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ocean.
Every August, the club and the Ocean
City Department of Recreation sponsor a
free Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tourna-
ment for youngsters between 8 and 16
years of age. Another annual, co-spon-
sored event is the Invitational Surf Fishing
Tournament for teams and individuals.
For more information about the Ocean
City Fishing Club, call 609-398-0534.
Ocean City Alumni Association
The Ocean City Alumni Association
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rum for alumni to celebrate the rich his-
tory, network with fellow and future alumni
and simply be proud to be a Red Raider.
Red and White Weekend, now in its sixth
year, is an opportunity for alumni to renew
friendships and celebrate their alma ma-
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more information, contact Marcia Shall-
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Mulford at 609-703-9967.
Ocean City Community
Association
The mission of the Ocean City Com-
munity Association is to protect and pro-
mote the best interests of the property
owners and residents of the city of Ocean
City New Jersey; to encourage civic in-
Many ways to get involved
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Community Arts Project, www.communityartprojects.com
Ocean City Democratic Club, www.facebook.com/OceanCityDemo-
craticClub
Ocean City Republican Club, momnespo@yahoo.com
Eastern Star 83, www.njoes.com/lodge_addresses.html
Masonic Lodge No. 171, 609-365-9099
Rotary Club of Ocean City-Upper Township, www.clubrunner.ca/portal/
+RPHDVS["DFFRXQWLG
.QLJKWV RI &ROXPEXV www.kofcknights.org/
&RXQFLO6LWH"&12
&RORQ\&OXE
OCNJ CARE, www.ocnjcare.org/
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Ocean City Community Center Association, www.ocnjcca.org
Friends of the Ocean City Pops, oceancitypops.org/friends-of-the-
pops.aspx
Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library, fvocfpl.
wordpress.com
Ocean City Garden Club, gardenclubocnj.wordpress.com
VFW Post 6650, www.oceancitynjvfw.org
$PHULFDQ/HJLRQ3RVWZZZOHJLRQRFQMRUJ
%R\6FRXW7URRSKWWSVVLWHVJRRJOHFRPVLWHRFWURRS
Girl Scouts, www.gscsnj.org
Ocean City Yacht Club, www.ocyc.org
Ocean City Sailing Foundation, www.ocsailingfoundation.org
Stainton Society, shoremedicalcenter.org/stainton-society
Ocean City Dog Park, www.oceancitydogpark.org
Ocean City Humane Society, hsocnj.org
Mew to You CATS, capeatlanticcats.com
Embroiders Guild, www.marega.org/jerseycape.html
Parent Teacher Association, www.teacherweb.com/NJ/OceanCity-
PublicSchool/OceanCityPTA/index.aspx
Ocean City Rowing and Athletic Association and OCBP Alumni Associa-
tion, www.ocraa.com
Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Club, www.ocmtc.com
Some other Ocean City
clubs and organizations
Page 24 The Gazette of OC / 2014/2015 COMMUNITY GUIDE
By ANN RICHARDSON
Years ago, special events were
strictly seasonal in Ocean City,
conned to the warmer months
and limited in size and scope.
There was the annual Baby Pa-
rade and parades to celebrate
Halloween and Christmas, a boat
parade for Night in Venice and
reworks for the Fourth of July, but
once fall arrived, the island was
pretty much quiet until Memorial
Day rolled around.
Today, Ocean City is hopping al-
most all year round. Things kick off
with First Night, the non-alcoholic
celebration of New Years Eve, fol-
lowed by First Day at the Beach
with First Dip, a chilly plunge in the
ocean, and First Run on the board-
walk, a 5K to raise money for local
charities. Hardly a week goes by
without something going on, from
the spring and fall block parties to
more than 500 Bassett Hounds pa-
rading down the boardwalk for the
annual Doo Dah Parade, events
are big business.
We do a lot of family-friendly
events, humorous events that are
not held anywhere else, said Mark
Soifer, Ocean City longtime publi-
cist.
About 50 years ago, city of-
cials began to recognize the im-
portance of special events and
the role that they could play in the
growth of Americas Greatest Fam-
ily Resort.
In short, it all began with an art
show, and Soifer, who guided the
seaside resort to world-wide fame
on a shoe-string budget with the
creation of unique and zany family
events.
The energetic promoter has
done far more than just put Amer-
icas Greatest Family Resort on
the map. Soifer understands what
makes business tick and, with mer-
chants in mind, promotes and un-
derstands the needs of a seashore
resort founded on Christian ide-
als. He focused on one thing, the
unique brand, Americas Greatest
Family Resort, which dates back to
1921, and built on that.
From the very beginning, Soifer
was asked to make a dime out of
every nickel in a meager advertis-
ing budget. The rst thing he tried
was Miss Crustacean. The beauty
pageant for hermit crabs was so
unique that on a slow news day,
it was picked up by international
news wires and broadcast across
the globe.
The sillier the better, Soifer re-
alized. Crustaceans were racing
and children were ocking to the
boardwalk to sculpt salt water taffy
and french fries.
Soifer trusted his own instincts
and gradually everyone else did, too.
Were a family resort, people
learn about Ocean City by word of
mouth; they come back year after
year because of the memories, the
beach, the boardwalk, he said.
They like us because were a
clean and safe family resort.
Upcoming events
Oct. 29
Ocean City Chamber Welcome
Night, 6-8 p.m. at the Ocean City
Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moor-
lyn Terrace
Oct. 30
Halloween Parade, sponsored
by the Ocean City Exchange Club,
7:15 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from
Sixth to 11th streets
Nov. 1
Trail of Two Cities, 5K from
Ocean City to Somers Point, 8
a.m. via the Route 52 causeway
and bridge; call 609-525-9300
Nov. 11
Veterans Day service, 11 a.m.
at Veterans Memorial Park, Fifth
Street and Wesley Avenue
Nov. 14-15
Quiet Festival, a celebration of
all things quiet; call 609-525-9300
Nov. 15-16
Holiday Celebration of Fine Arts
and Crafts, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the
Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk
and Moorlyn Terrace; call 609-365-
2239
Events bring visitors to Ocean City all year
Babies and children dress up and parade down the boardwalk in
the annual Ocean City Baby Parade, which recently celebrated
its 104th year.
Kids of all ages have a chance to nd prizes at Ocean Citys an-
nual Great Egg Hunt on the beach, part of the Easter festivities.
continued on Page 30
Santa Claus arrives atop City Hall during the Black Friday holiday
celebration Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue.
Page 30 The Gazette of OC / 2014/2015 COMMUNITY GUIDE
Nov. 22
Earlier than the Bird, downtown
shopping extravaganza, 8 a.m.-
noon
Nov. 22-23
Christmas Arts and Crafts Fes-
tival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Ocean
City Music Pier, Boardwalk and
Moorlyn Terrace; call 800-822-
4112
Nov. 28
Christmas in the Downtown
Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue,
2-5 p.m. on Asbury Avenue in
downtown Ocean City; enjoy
treats and merchants, carolers and
watch Santa arrive atop City Hall
to light the Christmas tree
Dec. 6-7
Train Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun-
day at the Ocean City Music Pier,
Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace;
admission is $3 for adults and $1
for children; call 609-525-9300
Dec. 6
Ocean City Pops holiday concert
Joy to the World: A Symphonic
Choral Celebration, 7:30 p.m. at
the Ocean City Tabernacle, 550
Wesley Ave.; sponsored by Nor-
man and JoAnne Schaut; tickets
are $15 at ocnj.us/boxofce or at
609-525-9300
Dec. 7
Christmas Parade, 1 p.m. from
Sixth to 11th streets on Asbury Av-
enue; sponsored by the Downtown
Merchants; call 609-525-9300
Dec. 12-14
2014 Holiday Spectacular pre-
sented by the Ocean City Theatre
Company featuring professional
singers and dancers in a high-
energy tribute to the holidays,
7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 13, and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the
Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk
and Moorlyn Terrace; tickets are
$15-$18 available at ocnj.us/box-
ofce or 609-525-9300
Dec. 31
First Night, an alcohol-free,
family-friendly New Years Eve
celebration with events and activi-
ties at various locations throughout
the city, leading up to reworks at
midnight; call 609-525-9300 or see
rstnightoceancitynj.com
Jan. 1
First Day at the Beach and First
Dip, 2 p.m. at the Moorlyn Terrace
beach;
5K run at 1 p.m.; call 609-525-
9300
Noon-3 p.m. every Saturday
and Sunday, Dec. 6-21 will be
horse and carri age ri des in
front of City Hall, Ninth Street
and Asbury Avenue, and pho-
t os wi t h Sant a at the Music
Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Ter-
race
Dates to be announced
Messiah Sing-in
Live Nativity at Ocean City Tab-
ernacle
Martin Luther King Service and
Community Dinner
Martin Luther King Day of Ser-
vice
Ocean City Historical Museum
Childrens Tea
Ocean City Theatre Company
Valentines Day show
Mr. Ocean City High School
Mr. Mature America
Spring Arts and Crafts Festival
Ocean Citys Great Egg Hunt
Living Last Supper
Woon Paws Pet Fashion Show
Easter sunrise service, Easter
Fashion Promenade
Basset Hound Olympics and
Doo Dah Parade
Spring Beach Sweep
March for Babies Walk
Martin Z. Mollusk Day
Ocean Citys Got Talent
Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides
Walk
Boardwalk and Downtown Ta-
ble Sales
Esther Weil Student Music
Competition
Ocean City Library Authors Tea
Spring Block Party
Walk MS
American Heart Association Walk
Miles for Melanoma
Walk to End Lupus Now
OCNJ Triathlon/Duathlon
Standup 4 SEALs Beach Chal-
lenge
Unlocking of the Beach and
Businesspersons Plunge
Ocean City Flower Show
NJAA Jeep Invasion Weekend
Miss New Jersey Parade and
Pageant
Ocean City Restaurant Week
Antique Auto Show
International Surng Day
Relay for Life
Sports cards and Collectibles
Show
July Jubilee
Fourth of July Fireworks
SOCIA and Gardens Civic As-
sociation bicycle parades
Tribute to the Philippines
Chip Miller Surf Fest
T. John Carey Masters Swim
Miss Night in Venice pageant
and Night in Venice Parade
Boardwalk Art Show and Art of
Surng Festival
Miss Crustacean
Pamper Scamper
Ocean City Baby Parade
Miss Ocean City
Twins Contest
Weird Week
Little Miss Ocean City
Boys and Girls Surf Fishing
Tournament
Mr. Fall Guy and Miss Fall Gal,
or King and Queen of Plop
Labor Day Race
Street Rod Weekend
Sept. 11 Remembrance Cer-
emony
Ocean City Airport Festival and
Air Show
OCHS Alumni Associations
Red and White Weekend
Corvette Show
Walk for the Wounded
HERO Walk
Bike MS: City to Shore Ride
Fall Block Party and Indian
Summer Weekend
Junior Miss Ocean City
Fall Beach Sweep
Pageants
Ocean City is home to a number
of local and regional pageants in-
cluding: Little Miss Ocean City, Ju-
nior Miss Ocean City, Miss Ocean
city, Miss New Jersey, Miss Cape
May County, Miss Cape Resort,
Miss Night in Venice, Miss Cape
May County Outstanding Teen,
Miss Cape Resort Outstanding
Teen, Miss New Jersey Outstand-
ing Teen and New Jersey National
Teenager.
continued from Page 24
Events bring visitors to Ocean City all year
Night in Venice Parade participants oat down the bay in Ocean
City in their candy-themed boat.