Registration is now open for anybody who would like to participate in Ocean City’s annual Halloween Parade, Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade or in the Halloween House Decorating Contest.
The 76th annual Halloween Parade will start at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, October 24, 2024 and travel a route on Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 11th Street.
All are welcome to watch or participate in this fun community event, which is organized by the Exchange Club of Ocean City in partnership with the city. For those who want to join, please note the following divisions:
- Division 1 – Children or Groups of Children up to age 12
- Division 2 – Children or Groups of Children over 12 OR Family Groups OR Adult Groups
- Division 3 – Animals & Pets in Costume
- Division 4 – Organizations Marching in Costume (Churches, Non-Profits, Etc.)
- Division 5 – Cheerleaders & Drill or Dance Teams
- Division 6 – Non-Commercial Floats
- Division 7 – Commercial Floats
To register to be in the parade, email: oceancity_halloween@yahoo.com.
Include your name, name and age of participant(s), address, email / phone number and the division you are registering for. An email confirmation will be sent back to you with your registration number within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
Medals and trophies will be awarded to first- and second-place entrants. Judges will evaluate based on appearance, originality and artistry. All award winners will be notified by phone or email the day after the parade.
For more information on the Halloween Parade, please visit Ocean City Halloween Parade (ochp.blogspot.com).
The fifth annual Halloween House Decorating Contest in Ocean City will award prizes to homes and businesses in a variety of categories. Deadline for registration is 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. A list of participants will be posted, so everybody can see the decorated homes.
Judging will take place the evenings of October 22 and 23 between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Winners will receive gift certificate prize packages.
For more information and to sign up, please visit ocnj.us/halloweenhouse.
Ocean City will welcome Vince Papale as the grand marshal of the annual Howl-O-Ween Parade on Oct. 26.
Papale was a 30-year-old teacher, coach and part-time bartender in 1976 when he attended a public tryout for the Philadelphia Eagles. Not only did he make the team, but he became a fan favorite and earned the team’s “Man of the Year” honors in 1978 for his gritty play on special teams. His story is the subject of the film “Invincible.”
Hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City, the Howl-O-Ween Parade welcomes costumed pets in a procession down the Ocean City Boardwalk that starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. The event is part of Dog Days on the Boardwalk Oct. 26 and 27, a weekend that welcomes dogs on the Boardwalk, where they are usually prohibited.
Leashed dogs will be permitted on the boardwalk 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 26, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. October 27.
On Saturday, Oct. 26 activities will include dog-specific vendors along the Boardwalk, photo-op stations and the Humane Society’s announcement of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year.” The event will allow owners to shop for dog treats, dog collars, shoot photos with Santa and more. People are encouraged to dress themselves and their dogs in Halloween costumes for the Howl-O-Ween Parade on Oct. 26. Registration for the Howl-O-Ween Parade is now open and all proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Ocean City.
The event is sponsored by JiLLy’s OCNJ, OCNJ Entertainment and the Ocean City Policemen’s Benevolent Association.
For more information, visit ocnj.us/DogDay.
Other Halloween events include the Halloween Costume Skate at the Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue 4 p.m. to dusk on Saturday, Oct. 26. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants.
Hours for traditional trick-or-treating will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.
Ocean City, New Jersey
861 Asbury Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 399-6111
www.ocnj.us