The 40th Anniversary of the Ocean City Christmas Parade is set to return in full force at 11 a.m, Saturday, in north Ocean City.
The route will ascend north from Old Landing Road in the south traffic side of Coastal Highway to 120th Street where judges will await the floats and other participants.
The Masters of The Ceremony this year are local radio sensation and DJ, DJ BK, and 47 WMDT Good Morning Delmarva Anchor Jordie Clark. The two will let parade goers know who is coming down to the judges’ stand.
Ocean City has professional judges from the National Judges’ Association, skilled in judging different events, including parades.
There are four award categories that are allotted to give first, second and third place prizes to the winners. The categories are School Band, Top Parade Float, Marching Unit, and Best Motorized Vehicle. Three additional awards will be given that are the Mayor’s Choice Award, Coca-Cola Award, this is awarded to the parade entry with the most energy and fun, and the Carousel Award, which is presented to the parade entry with the best Ocean City vacation theme.
“This is something people look forward to,” Ocean City Special Events Director Frank Miller said.
Special Events Assistant Brenda Moore added that the event is typically a “great day for the community.”
Last year the parade was rained out, and covid-19 had decreased attendance in previous years since the 2020 pandemic.
“We are pretty excited to get back out there,” said Moore.
Miller said city officials are “really excited to be bringing the parade back.”
“[Because] it showcases OC being family friendly and it’s a family-friendly event,” he said.
Traffic pattern changes for the parade will begin around 8 a.m., with congestion and delays expected. People will not be permitted to watch the parade from the median, and spectators are advised to use crosswalks and cross the road with traffic signals.
For more information regarding the parade, call the Town of Ocean City Special Events Department at 410-250-0125.
The parade ends near the Carousel Hotel, where family-friendly post-event festivities will take place.
The Carousel is a title sponsor of the OC Christmas Parade. The post-parade festivities will take place 1-3 p.m., and include the trophy ceremony. The Carousel will also have ice skating, hot cocoa, coffee and cider, live entertainment, free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and happy hour food and drink specials for participants and parade goers.
For more information, visit carouselgrouphotels.com/festive-family-fun-at-the-carousel-hotel.