Registrations are now being taken for the boat, home, and condo competition of Night in Venice. The colorful, decorated boat parade and bay front home celebration is set for Saturday, July 19 starting 7:30 p.m. by the Longport Bridge.
Boats sail in and out of lagoons from the bridge to Tennessee Avenue and vie for prizes in numerous categories. The best decorated homes are also awarded prizes.
Entry forms are available at City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave., 609-525-9300, by emailing msoifer@hotmail.com or faxing 609-399-0374.
Optional decoration theme is “A Night at the Movies.” Participants are free to select any theme they chose and these have included salutes to sports teams, parodies on politics, and Elvis performances.
Last year the starting time was changed to 7:30 p.m. to attract more lighted houses and boats and return the event to a Festival of Lights as it was originally envisioned in 1954.
The Night in Venice Committee reminds participants to light interiors of their boats and completely light their homes so that themes can be fully appreciated at dark.
Competitive boat categories include Most Original, Best Decorated, Best Decorated Lead Boat, Musical, Comic, Classic Boat (25 years or older with historic value) and Children’s Division (completely decorated by children 15 years and under).
Boat, House and Condo/Commercial winners will be awarded prizes during a reception at the Bayside Center on Sunday, July 20 at 4 p.m. The Bayside Center is located on Bay Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets.
All participants will receive commemorative mugs for supporting the event. Boaters will be given mugs at mandatory Captain’s meetings, Fri., July 18 at 8 p.m. or Sat., July 19
at 9 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 30th and Bay Ave. Owners of decorated homes may pick up their mugs at City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave., Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. after July 4th.