Thousands of spectators gathered along the back bays of Ocean City Saturday night for the 71st annual Night in Venice boat parade, one of the Jersey Shore's signature summer traditions.
This year's event featured decorated boats and bayfront homes embracing the 2026 theme, "Stars, Stripes & Christmas Lights," blending patriotic tributes with Christmas-in-July displays. The evening concluded with a fireworks show over the bay. Former Phillie John Kruk and actor Randy Quaid (Cousin Eddie!) were on hand to lend to the pomp and circumstance.
Follow the link to watch Video Footage! https://youtu.be/rLTwSpNsi3U
Here are the 2026 BOAT RESULTS (Boat Number, Name of the Boat, Last Name, Theme)
Best in show 25’ and over: #249, Sassy, Pau Hana Tiki Boats, Free Birds
Best in show 24’ and under: #296, BAMZ, Sztenderowicz, 1776 vs. 2026
Best Commercial: #222, REEL FUN, Collet, Jilly’s Christmas Vacation
Best Lead Boat: #203, Chooch, Fermane, Santa Claus
Best Community Boat: #206, Waterfront Marine, Martin & Mollie Mollusk
Best Decorated 25’ and over
1st Place: #256, BrookSea III, Brook, Patriotic
2nd Place: #259, Bella B, Persichetti, America 250
3rd Place: #278, Ramble, Mckahan, Patriotic
Best Decorated 24’ and under
1st Place: #277, Still Drifting, Winneberger, A Christmas Story Movie
2nd Place: #283, Rockin Reelin, Leo, Red, White and Ho, Ho, Ho
3rd Place: #279, Git’n Nauti, DiGiambattista, America 250
Best Musical 24’ and under
1st Place: #292, Dozens of Dollars, Pace, Stars, Stripes & Bagpipes
Most Original 25’ and over
1st Place: #236, YOLO, Muckenfuss, The Griswold Family Christmas Cruise
2nd Place: #258, Unnamed, Whiteside, Ocean City’s Breakfast of Champions
3rd Place: #237, Sea Weede II, Weede, Greek Stars & Stripes
Most Original 24’ and under
1st Place: #260, No Name, Bowers, Christmas Vacation
2nd Place: #232, Reel Nauti, Maceno, Christmas in July with St. Nor’Easter Nick!
3rd Place: #238, SandBar, Tannen, Stars and Stripes
2026 HOUSE RESULTS
House Number, Last Name, Theme
Zone 1:
1st Place: #146, Viney, Patriotic Christmas
2nd Place: #140, Weckerly, Flags along the Bay
3rd Place: #14, Hornyak, Party In The USA
Zone 2:
1st Place: #83, Greene, Red, White & Blue…and Merry too!
2nd Place: #129, Furst, Sweet Sea-sons Greetings!
3rd Place: #86, Eni, Stars, Stripes & Christmas Lights!
Zone 3:
1st Place: #149, Tamburri/Bush, Candyland
2nd Place: #40, Robb/Sullivan, National Lampoon’s Snug Harbor Vacation
3rd Place: #58, Kelly/Fitzpatrick, Grab a Koozie, let’s Get Red, White & Boozy
Zone 4:
1st Place: #50, Hernandez, Jingle Bells + Freedom Rings
2nd Place: #55, Sulock, Life, Liberty & Pleasure Avenue
3rd Place: #44, Valdes, Red, White, Blue & Disco Too!
Zone 5:
1st Place: #43, Weber, Stars, Stripes and Shark Bites
2nd Place: #79, Thornton, Boogie on The Bay
3rd Place: #16, Schwarz, Christmas in July
Zone 6:
1st Place: #144, Chorin, Miser Mayhem
2nd Place: #39, Chiumento, USA & Christmas…Perfect Together
3rd Place: #81, Myers, Light of Liberty
Zone 7:
1st Place: #11, Miller, There’s Nothing More American than Night in Venice in Ocean City
2nd Place: #51, Scanlons/Brandenberges, Fight 4 Your Right 2 Par-Tee
3rd Place: #82, Monczewski, Home of the Free because of the Brave
Zone 8:
1st Place: #122, Boyle, No One Fights Alone
2nd Place: #101, Leonetti/Cowperthwaite, Ring The Bell
3rd Place: #59, Grasso, We The People Like To Party
Zone 9:
1st Place: #138, Derr, Who Bay, USA
2nd Place: #73, Hoffman, Caddy Shack
3rd Place: #42, LaValla, World Cup FEVER
Zone 10:
1st Place: #88, Heenan/Smith, FIFA World Cup 2026
2nd Place: #115, Sutera, Cowboy UP! America Turns 250 Only Once!
3rd Place: #22, Church, Happy 250th Birthday America
Zone 11:
1st Place: #114, Ruh, The Grinch Steals Night in Venice
2nd Place: #93, Kuhlberg, Christmas Chaos
3rd Place: #141, Bigin, Santa’s Gone Surfin’
Zone 12:
1st Place: #56, Votta, Santa’s Summer Vacation
2nd Place: #26, Cassidy, Boston Tea Party
3rd Place: #137, Covely, Covely Ranch
Zone 13:
1st Place: #121, Gemmi, Deck The Docks
2nd Place: #61, O’Neil, High Tides & Freedom Vibes
3rd Place: #90, Rafetto, Nightmare Before Christmas
Zone 14 (Condo/Commercial):
1st Place: #63, Bay Village, Stars, Stripes and Bay Lights
2nd Place: #76, Bay Club Condos, Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom
3rd Place: #157, Marina Mews, All American Christmas
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
