By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – Although the city’s Twilight Holiday Parade was not held last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s back this year in a big way, with changes that are sure to delight spectators.
“We will be bringing a lit-up evening of excitement to Ventnor Avenue,” Parade Committee Chairwoman Shelley D’Orazio said.
The parade, which was first held five years ago and grew by “leaps and bounds,” has a new direction this year and new opportunities for family fun in the North Beach area of the city.
The parade will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 on Ventnor Avenue.
In prior years, family activities were held at the end of the parade route on Troy Avenue. However, the parade route is reversed this year, traveling north from Troy Avenue to Oakland Avenue in the North Beach section.
“We’re going from a quarter-mile route to a 1-mile route,” D’Orazio said.
Although there will be fewer units marching in the parade – about 50 compared to 90 units two years ago – it will be enjoyable nonetheless, she said.
New this year is a post-parade celebration at the Ventnor Memory Park operated by the Esther, Joseph & Scipio Charitable Foundation, Inc. on Ventnor Avenue near Oakland Avenue. Activities in and around the holiday-decorated pocket park include face painting, vendors, free pony rides and the ability to take pictures with Santa. Other special activities are being held for children of the Ventnor City school district.
“There is going to be a lot of activity in and near the pocket park, including serving hot chocolate and soup from PJ Buckets,” D’Orazio said. “These activities will turn the parade into something spectacular and bring a whole new feeling of excitement to the city.”
Ventnor City Twilight Holiday Parade
The parade includes floats and four marching bands from Absegami, Oakcrest and Mainland high schools and the Jersey Devil Pipe Band. Ciocca Dealership will be providing all the convertible automobiles for dignitaries in the parade. WAYV-FM radio will provide a live remote feed from the Ventnor Square Theater site.
D’Orazio said units wishing to get into the parade can do so by downloading and submitting an application to the city’s Public Events Coordinator. The Ventnor City Police Department will be handling public safety during the event and has issued a travel advisory announcing the roadway closure.
2021 Ventnor City Holiday Parade Application fillable rev
Ventnor Police issue travel advisory ahead of Saturday’s ‘Holiday Twilight Parade’
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