South End Ocean City 4th of July Parades

South End Ocean City 4th of July Parades

The 4th of July parades in the south end of Ocean City were pretty fun. They were just low key parades where you decorated your bikes and drove past the reviewing stand which was a small pavilion located on the beach side of 57th street (Pavillion is no longer there). People won ribbons in the parade for best decorated, etc.

I remember one year, I must have been 7 or 8, my mom made me this awesome costume…I was a “One Eyed, One Horn, Flying Purple People Eater”-just like the song. Some of you have no idea about the song, but it was real popular that year. I remember that the costume was hot and very uncomfortable, but it looked great-have no idea why my parents did not take even one picture of it. I had one of those old masks that covered the face with the rubber band that went behind the head. The mask was painted purple-it was so itchy, but I had to wear it. My mom was a great seamstress and has sewn the costume in purple cotton fabric, so I was covered from head to toe. Remember…It was July 4 at the shore and the humidity was right up there! I think the bike was wrapped with purple streamers.

I proudly, if not reluctantly rode my bike the required blocks and past the judge’s stand. My mom just knew I would win a ribbon…But no, the ribbon went to some girl twirling a baton and dressed in regular clothes!! That was the last time we were allowed to ride in the parade. My mom was mad-she just knew the judging was fixed. Ok, I’m thinking that whole incident had something to do with wanting so bad to be a twirler in High School!!! Gosh darn it, I succeeded in that! Lost the “One Eyed, One Horn, Flying Purple People Eater” bike rider try, though!!! Oh the lessons we learn! :-)

Here's a picture of my brother and me in probably 1955. He had his bike decorated for the parade. Uh Oh...That house in the background was the one with the scary basement on the corner of Central Ave and 57th Street...Another story...Another time.