Mayor
July 24, 2026
Dear Friends,
Night in Venice returns for its 71st anniversary at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow evening in Ocean City, and the weather forecast looks good. I want to make sure everybody has a great time at this celebration of our beautiful bay side. But I also want to make sure everybody stays safe.
As always, the Ocean City Police Department will be highly visible along the parade route, streets and bay waters surrounding the area. The Coast Guard, Marine Police and other agencies are bringing in boats to help on the water.
I want to remind everybody that Ocean City does have a noise ordinance. If you’re hosting a party, please have fun, but be respectful of your neighbors. Swimmers and anybody on floats, rafts or boards should leave the water well before the arrival of the parade. Remember, the boat parade will not enter any lagoon that is not clear of swimmers.
A one-way traffic pattern will be in effect on Saturday for Spruce Road, Walnut Road, Michigan Avenue and Arkansas Avenue in the Riviera neighborhood. This is to make sure that emergency vehicles can maintain access to the neighborhood during the celebration.
Our optional theme this year is “Stars, Stripes and Christmas Lights,” and it’ll be a chance to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, along with Christmas in July. The celebration will end with a fireworks display that will go off when the parade finishes between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. More information on all of Night in Venice Weekend is available here. Any updates to the event schedule would be posted to ocnj.us as soon as they are available.
The weekend will be sure to generate a lot of trash and recycling. Remember, trash will not be picked up if it’s placed in 96-gallon containers or in loose trash bags. Please do not block alleys or streets – our contractor needs to have access to complete pickup routes. The city continues a service that allows residents to drop off trash and recycling at the Shelter Road Recycling Center on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This convenience has long been requested and serves residents who may not be at their Ocean City homes during the regularly scheduled trash and recycling pickup days during the week. Residents can learn more about pickup schedules and requirements at ocnj.us/trash-and-recycle-faq.
We’re at the peak of the summer season, and there are a lot of people in town. Please be sure to respect all the ordinances that keep people safe and allow everybody to enjoy their time in Ocean City.
Cars, bikes and e-bikes should slow down on the roadways, yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and come to a full stop at all stop signs and red signals. Pedestrians should make eye contact with drivers before walking out into crosswalks. Dogs must be leashed at all times when walking on streets, sidewalks and public property. They are not allowed on the beach in the summertime. Noise ordinances
take effect after 10 p.m. In addition to being the law, these are all matters of common courtesy.
Our beach replenishment project is continuing to progress toward 12th Street with sand-pumping currently approaching the Fifth Street jetty. The completed beaches adjacent to the work area are clean and wide with plenty of room for beachgoers and with swimming areas open and protected by Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguards. Daily updates are always available on the city website at ocnj.us/beachupdate, and you can sign up there to get daily updates by email.
I’m sad to report on the loss of Albert Neill Jr. last weekend at the age of 95. Albert was an owner of Shoemaker Lumber in Ocean City, and he dedicated 54 years of his life to building the business until his retirement at the age of 87. Anybody who didn’t know Albert from Shoemaker might recognize him from his regular bicycle rides on the Boardwalk, one of his many passions in life. Please join Michele and me in extending deepest condolences to Albert’s family and friends.
I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend and get to spend it with friends and family. See this week's "Inside City Hall" below.
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian
Mayor
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Welcome to The City of Ocean City, New Jersey!
Ocean City is a town rich in history and a deep sense of community. Families have been vacationing in Ocean City for generations and many have made Ocean City their year-round home.
Our residents enjoy award-winning schools, world-class recreation facilities and outstanding municipal services from all city departments, including Police, Fire and Rescue, and Beach Patrol. Residents participate in activities for every age and interest including the cultural arts, music and theater as well as sports and recreation programs available at our many parks, playgrounds and city facilities. One of our local treasures is the Ocean City Community Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue, where families and individuals can enjoy the Ocean City Free Public Library, Ocean City Arts Center, Ocean City Historical Museum, Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center, and the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center under one roof.
The city also maintains and operates a municipal airport, 12-hole golf course, Aquatic and Fitness Center as well as the famed Ocean City Pops Orchestra.
Ocean City is also host to more than 200 family-friendly special events held year-round. Many of our events are popular family traditions, including the Night in Venice Boat Parade in July, the Baby Parade in August, our mile-long block parties in May and October, and our family-friendly First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration.
If you are vacationing in Ocean City, I know you’ll enjoy our seven miles of beautiful beaches and exciting Boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants and amusements. And be sure to visit our unique and charming downtown shops and restaurants located in the heart of town on Asbury Avenue.
I am truly proud to serve as mayor for this great community and hope you and your family enjoy your time in America’s Greatest Family Resort.
Jay Gillian, Mayor
Phone: 609-525-9333
Email: mayor@ocnj.us
