Erik Estrada will be grand marshal for the 2018 Doo Dah Parade in Ocean City on April 14, and return that night to emcee the Mr. Mature America Pageant.
Estrada first captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide in his six-year run as highway patrol officer Frank Poncherello in the TV series “CHiPs.” He has also appeared in numerous other television and motion picture roles, including the new “Armed and Famous” reality series on CBS.
The Doo Dah Parade is Ocean City’s season-opening celebration of all things humorous. The procession features marching bands, floats, a grand marshal and a brigade of more than 500 basset hounds. The traditional finale at the end of the parade includes a “Pie-asco” at the Ocean City Music Pier, in which everybody is invited to smoosh their friends with shaving-cream pies.
This year’s event starts at noon on Saturday, April 14. The parade route starts at Sixth Street and travels downtown Asbury Avenue to 12th Street, then turns to the Boardwalk at 12th Street and (new this year) finishes on the boardwalk at Fifth Street.
The parade is now open to all entries. See more information and register to participate in the parade at www.ocnj.us/Doo-Dah-Parade.
Erik Estrada’s talent and charm will be a perfect fit for Ocean City’s Mr. Mature America Pageant later that night, which mixes self-deprecating humor with nostalgia and talent in a tribute to men ages 55 and older. Estrada will host the fifth annual event and conduct on-stage interviews with contestants.
The pageant is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 14 on the Ocean City Music Pier. The event is the first and only pageant of its kind in the United States. The pageant includes competition in talent, judge’s interview, poise and appearance, and on-stage question.
Registration is now open for any contestant 55 or older who would like to participate. Visit www.ocnj.us/mrmature for more information and to sign up as a contestant.