Ocean City’s annual Christmas Parade travels down Asbury Avenue at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Lights, garland, wreaths and bows adorn “The Avenue” for the season, and the parade will bring a variety of bands, floats and other entries to add a little warmth to the winter.
The event gives spectators time to shop and dine on downtown Asbury Avenue before and after the 6 p.m. start time. The parade starts at Sixth Street and proceeds to 11th Street.
This year’s parade will feature entries including the Ocean City High School Marching Band, the Interboro High School Marching Band (of Prospect Park, Pa.), and the Absegami High School Marching Braves. Characters from “Frozen,” Frosty the Snowman, Buddy the Elf, Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be on floats. Cold-air balloons – including the Grinch – will be part of the fun. Two string bands, Martin and Mollie Mollusk and a variety of floats also will participate.
As part of the annual tradition, Santa Claus provides a finale to the parade, greeting boys and girls from a horse-drawn carriage.
Model trains will be on display and for sale at the annual Train Show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 2 and 3) at the Ocean City Music Pier. Admission is free. For more information, call 609-399-6111.