Easter Happenings in Ocean City, New Jersey

Spring will be returning to the South Jersey Community of Ocean City starting this weekend. The city has lined up Easter related activities scheduled throughout the weekend for everyone including its friendly four-legged residents.

Woofin' Paws Pet Fashion Show

The City's annual Woofin' Paws Pet Fashion Show will be held at Carey Stadium, 6th St. and the Boardwalk, 11 a.m., Saturday April 11th. Admission is open to all pets that promise not to eat another pet.

This year's categories include Best Dressed Dog, Cat, Miscellaneous, Bathing Suits, Intelligent Pet tricks, Best face Licker, Most patriotic, Best Tail Wagger and Pet-Owner Look Alike. Ribbons will be awarded and the Best of Show receives the coveted Dean Schofield Woofin' Paw Plaque for Perfection/

Elvis performer, Ted Prior, will be on hand to perform "You Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog", "Easter Bonnet" and other songs appropriately geared for the event. Singer Margie Dailey will also lend her voice during the event.

Proceed from the entry fee, $5 for individual pets and $10 for multiple entries (no limit) will go to the Ocean City Humane Society. Registration starts at 10 a.m. on Carey Field the day of the show. In the event inclement weather the event will be held inside the Sports and Civic Center, which is located adjacent to Carey Field.

Easter Egg Hunt

The City's Annual Great Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled to kick off along the beach from 11th to 13th St. 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11th. This year's event is being sponsored by Playland's Castaway Cove and the Boardwalk Merchant's Association.

This years Easter Egg Hunt will see over 100,000 eggs with candy up for grabs with 4,000 prizes being awarded. Five grand prize bikes will be awarded in addition to grand prize awards in each age group. Following the Egg Hunt there will be an awards ceremony at the Pavilion, which is located at 11th St. and the Boardwalk The event is free and registration is not required however the City Administration does encourage all participants to arrive on time as the event is over quickly. No surprise there -- children always make a mad dash for Easter Eggs!

Participants will be grouped according to age and sent to the following stretch of beach for the event: 1-2 year olds (may be accompanied by an adult) should gather at the 11th St. Beach, 3-4 year olds should gather at the 12th St. Beach; 5-6 years olds should gather at the 12th St. Beach and 7-9 year olds should gather at the 13th St. Beach. If the weather is uncooperative the Easter hunt will take place at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Early risers won't want to miss "Breakfast with the Easter Bunny" from 9 a.m. until noon, Saturday, April 11th at the Chatterbox, 9th St. and Central Ave. After ordering from the menu and visiting with the Easter Bunny don't forget to head over the 9th St. Lifeguard stand for free photos with the Easter Bunny.

Shoppers out for last minute shopping along Asbury Avenue would be wise to watch for egg signs hanging in display windows as these locations are offering special in-store promotions and eggs filled with prizes.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Early risers won't want to miss "Breakfast with the Easter Bunny" from 9 a.m. until noon, Saturday, April 11th at the Chatterbox, 9th St. and Central Ave. After ordering from the menu and visiting with the Easter Bunny don't forget to head over the 9th St.. Lifeguard stand for free photos with the Easter Bunny.

Shoppers out for last minute shopping along Asbury Avenue would be wise to watch for egg signs hanging in display windows as these locations are offering special in-store promotions and eggs filled with prizes.

Dr Goode to Speak At Easter Sunrise Service

The City's annual non-denominational Easter Sunrise Service will begin at 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunday at the Music Pier, Morrlyn terrace and the Boardwalk.

This year's guest speaker will be Dr. W. Wilson Goode, former mayor of Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Goode, an ordained Baptist minister with 54 years of service at the First Baptist Church of Pascal in Philadelphia, is currently the Director and Organizer of the Amachi Program, a national faith based mentoring model for children and incarcerated parents. Through his work he has received The Civic Ventures $100,000 Purpose Prize and was named Citizen of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Providing the sounds of Easter at this year's service will be students of the Nancy Fox Voice Studio.

Easter Parade

The City's annual fashion parade is set to begin 1 p.m. Easter Sunday in front of the Music Pier. This year's emcee will be former New Jersey, Laurie Kohr.

Prizes will be awarded for Best-Dressed Family, Children, Couples, Man, Woman, Teens and Easter Bonnets. Ted Prior's Early Morning Reign will also be on hand to entertain at the reviewing stand. The Easter Bunny will also be out and about handing out chocolate bunnies and posing for photos.