Jul 16, 2008 10:07 pm US/Eastern
Gas Incentives Fuel Ocean City Boat Parade
OCEAN CITY, N.J. (CBS 3) ―
Free gas giveaways are
luring boaters to Ocean City for the 54th annual "Night in Venice" boat parade.
The city is ensuring that
rising gas prices won't keep boating enthusiasts away from the island's largest
celebration.
The Tourism Commission will be picking up the gas tab for every
boat that enters the parade with a $100 American Express gift card.
With only 50 boats
entered into the event which usually tallies near 85 participants, city
officials are hopeful that the promotion can boost numbers.
"We were concerned because it has been rather slow on the
bay with boats because of the gasoline prices," said Mark Soifer of Ocean City Public Relations.
The promotion has already
netted 20 new registrations and local townspeople are happy to see that the
tourism commission is funding the cause.
"The more participants, the better the parade, the better
the competition," said Jim Yoa of Ocean County.
In addition to the gas cards, city officials will also hand
out a $1,000 to the six best decorated boats, whatever they can do to
help get those boats back in the water.
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