Doo Dah Parade and Basset Hound Olympics

Mid-April is here and that can mean only one thing — we’re almost ready for Ocean City’s annual display of foolishness, the Doo Dah Parade, plus a full slate of other weekend events that celebrate the lighter side of life as we emerge from another winter.

"If the old saying that 'laughter is the best medicine' is true, the upcoming Doo Dah Weekend in Ocean City will help you feel a lot better," Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer says. "And if you're already feeling OK, it should make you feel really, really good!"

HUMOR PROGRAM
Friday, April 12, 2 p.m., Ocean City Free Public Library

A program on the benefits of humor by world-renowned authority Dr. Joel Goodman will be held 2 p.m. April 12 at the Ocean City Free Public Library at 17th Street and Simpson Avenue. Admission is free.

DOO DAH COMEDY SHOW
Friday, April 12, 7 p.m., Ocean City Music Pier

The Doo Dah Comedy Show at 7 p.m. April 12 will feature Hollywood Walk-of-Famer Peggy King, cartoonist John McPherson of “Close to Home,” 80-year-old baton-twirler Betty Lambert, impersonators of legendary comedians and a tribute to Soupy Sales. Admission is a donation of canned or dried food or a $10 donation to the Ocean City Food Cupboard.

DOO DAH PARADE
Saturday, April 13, noon

This is the big show of the weekend. This year’s parade features grand marshal Peggy King. The 28th annual parade steps off from Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue, travels to 12th and Asbury and then turns toward the Boardwalk before concluding at the reviewing stand by the Ocean City Music Pier.

The Doo Dah Parade will be held April 13 starting at noon. The parade takes off with 80-year-old baton-twirler Betty Lambert leading the Ocean City High School Band and ends with more than 500 basset hounds, many of them in costume. 

In between will be good clean funny and goofy brigades and individuals, impersonators of legendary comedians, decorated doggies, six bands including the madcap Pitman Hobo aggregation and miscellaneous whatevers.

To participate in the Doo Dah Parade and receive a free “I Was a Hotdog for a Day” T-Shirt and hotdog snack from major sponsor Dietz and Watson, call (609) 525-9300, after hours (609) 364-4010 or email msoifer@hotmail.com.

PIEASCO
Saturday, April 13, immediately after the parade, Music Pier

"The Board of Governors of Ocean City’s Doo Dah Parade will attempt to elevate its popular Pie-Asco to a new art form designated "pie art," according to Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer. "The experiment will take place after the parade in front of the Music Pier when folks gather to plaster each other with shaving cream pies."

"For the past few years, board members have taken a closer look at the results of the traditional Pie-Asco. Their studies reveal that the shaving cream sticking to participants’ faces after the smooshing often appear to be spontaneous abstract art."

"The Board cites its inspiration from the late Jackson Pollock, who invented Action Painting. Also know as “Jack the Dripper,” Pollock splattered bucketsful of paint on huge canvasses spread out on his studio floor. His works have been hailed by art critics and he is considered a major innovator of modern art."

“PIE ART can well be considered ACTION SMOOSHING,” notes the Board and we will immediately preserve it by taking photos of outstanding examples before they evaporate.  It will be an interesting experiment and hopefully a major contribution to modern art.”

Both the smoohser and smooshee will win prizes. After all, what is the artist without his or her canvas?

The Pie-Asco was started to honor the late Soupy Sales, who used shaving cream pies on his syndicated TV shows. The shaving cream was easy to clean off the expensive suits of his guests like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Junior. 

There is no pre-registration for the Pie-Asco. Just meet in front of the Music Pier after the Parade and join the experiment. The event is designed to further fun and humor in the great tradition of Doo Dah.

BASSET HOUND OLYMPICS
Saturday, April 13, 2 p.m., Carey Stadium at 6th and Boardwalk

Ever wonder about the athletic prowess of basset hounds? Watch as the hounds—not exactly known for their energy — take on a “dash,” hurdles, a plastic tunnel and, finally, a nap. Check out a prior year’s athletic display here. Admission is free. The event had originally been scheduled for Friday at the Ocean City Tabernacle grounds, but rain forced its postponement until immediately after the Doo Dah Parade.

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