If you weren’t in the holiday spirit before Saturday’s 33rd Annual Christmas Parade in Ocean City, there is no doubt participants and visitors left beaming with the spirit of the season. As Christmas colors lined the streets and Christmas carols filled the air, the community parade boasted nearly 70 entries including high school bands, holiday floats, antique cars and much more.
Professional judges reviewed the participating units and presented awards in nine categories, including Coca Cola’s Best Overall Parade Entry and the Carousel Award for the Best “Ocean Vacation” themed entry. The first, second and third place winners were:
- School Band: Snow Hill High School Band, first place, Pocomoke High School Marching Warriors Band, second place, and Stephen Decatur High School, third place.
- Commercial Float: Harrison Group, first place, Planet Maze/Laser storm, second place, and Trimper Rides, third place.
- Non-Commercial Float: Ocean City Elementary School, first place, Titanium Wrecks (Worcester County’s First Robotics NASA Team), second place, and Plumber & Steamfitters UA Local 486, third place.
- Antique Vehicle: Ocean City Cruzers Car Club, first place, Delaware Antique Police Cars Association, second place, and Melvin Thomas Antique Fire Truck, third place.
- Fire Company Representation: Ocean City Fire Department, first place, Girdletree Fire Company, second place, and Ocean Pines Fire Department, third place.
- Marching Unit: O.C. Stars, first place, Snow Hill High School Marine JROTC, second place, and Stephen Decatur High School NJROTC, third place.
- Costume/Mascot: Delmarva Shorebirds Sherman, first place, Original Greene Turtle Oscar & Charlie, second place, and Chick-Fil-A West Ocean City, third place.
- Motorized Vehicle: O.C. Electric, first place, Apex Construction, second place and Sea Tow, third place.
- Coca Cola Award – Best “Overall” Parade Entry: O.C. Stars
- Carousel Award – Best “Ocean Vacation” Entry: Apex Construction
Awards were presented during the post-parade reception, hosted by the Carousel Hotel. “We had a wonderful day, with terrific weather and an outstanding and enthusiastic crowd,” commented Ocean City Special Events Director Frank Miller. “A very special thanks to all of our parade participants and spectators for making the 33rd Annual Ocean City Christmas Parade a great success and a true example of a happy holiday celebration at the beach!”
