OCEAN CITY, MD โ (December 7, 2016): If you werenโt in the holiday spirit before Saturdayโs Annual Christmas Parade in Ocean City, there is no doubt participants and visitors left beaming with the spirit of the season. As Christmas colors lined the streets and Christmas carols filled the air, the community parade boasted nearly 50 entries including high school bands, holiday floats, antique cars and much more. What follows are a list of the Christmas parade winners, 2016.
Professional judges reviewed the participating units and presented awards in nine categories, including Coca Colaโs Best Overall Parade Entry and the Carousel Award for the Best โOcean Vacationโ themed entry. The first, second and third place winners were:
- School Band: Snow Hill High School Band (pictured) first place, Pocomoke High School Marching Warriors Band, second place, and Stephen Decatur High School, third place.
- Commercial Float: Trimperโs Rides, first place, OC Tri Running Sports, second place, and The Harrison Group โBeachieโ Christmas, third place.
- Non-Commercial Float: Ocean City Elementary School, first place, Assateague National Seashore, second place, and Bearded Menโs Society of Ocean City, third place.
- Antique Vehicle: Seacrets Distilling Company, first place, 1961 Mercedes Benz 1902SL Roadster, second place, and Melvin Thomas 1960 Ford, third place.
- Fire Company Representation: Ocean City Fire Ambulance, first place, Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, second place, and Ocean City Fire Department, third place.
- Marching Unit: Snow Hill Marine Corp JROTC, first place, Stephen Decatur High School NJROTC, second place, and East Coast Westsiders Marching Band, third place.
- Costume/Mascot: Delmarva Shorebirds Sherman, first place, Chick-Fil-A West Ocean City Cow, second place, and Sherwood of Salisbury Kippy Kia, third place.
- Motorized Vehicle: Matteoโs Salsa Loco Tiki Bus, first place, H Traffic Control, second place and Jeep Week Representatives, third place.
- Coca Cola Award โ Parade entry with the most energy & fun: OC Stars
- Carousel Award โ Best โOcean Vacationโ Entry: Harrison Group โBeachieโ Christmas
- Berlin Automotive Group Award โ Best Holiday Presentation of a single vehicle or group of automobiles: The Ropewalk
Awards were presented during the post-parade reception, hosted by the Carousel Hotel. โWe had a wonderful day, with terrific weather and an outstanding and enthusiastic crowd,โ commented Ocean City Special Events Director Frank Miller. โA very special thanks to all of our parade participants and spectators for making the 34th Annual Ocean City Christmas Parade a great success and a true example of a happy holiday celebration at the beach!โ
