Sure, there were flowing floral dresses, tailored pastel-colored suits, plenty of bonnets and even a few fedoras. Oh, and there was an abundance of adorable when it came to the attire on infants and primary school-aged kids on Easter Sunday in Ocean City.
The Easter Fashion Stroll, a longstanding tradition in the family-friendly resort, gives contestants a place to make some fashion statements, show the world, or rather a pretty big audience outside the Music Pier, some of their Easter best. And for some, they even got a bit of celebrity treatment when crowds erupted in applause for some of their outfits.
The Curran family was a major crowd pleaser, wearing bright red attire with interesting accessories to win them Best Dressed Family.
And there was also another showstopper. Most Unusual Bonnet went to Doris Shull.
Shull, of Somers Point, wowed the crowd with her handmade creation. It was complete with lights and toy chicks that actually chirped to the amusement of the crowd.
Former Junior Miss Ocean City Natalie Argento emceed the event. Miss Ocean City Maddyn Randazzo, Junior Miss Makenna Fleming and Little Miss Arianna DiAntonio also presided over the event.
Prior to the program and afterward, the Philly Keys piano duet entertained the audience performing old favorites from Elton John songs to Queen.
Prizes were awarded for Best Dressed Children, Teen, Adults and Family. But like all of the years before, all of the children were declared winners.
While the Koons family didn’t win Best Dressed Family, they enjoyed the Easter Fashion Stroll, nonetheless.
Bill and June Koons, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., their daughter, Susan Koons, and her 11-year-old twins Evan and Makenzie, had fun with the lighthearted contest.
“The bonnets were really her inspirations,” Susan Koons said of her daughter wanting to have the entire family enter the contest.
The family went to a craft store, purchased some pieces to make the bonnets and other accessories and went to work
“It took us about an hour,” June Koons noted.
Bill Koons, 76, said he was happy to join his family for the contest. He said he enjoys the family-friendly events in Ocean City.
“I have been coming here since I was a kid,” he said. “This environment just makes you feel happy.”
The full list of Fashion Promenade winners is as follows:
Best Dressed Teen Male went to Ben Merrifield, of Somers Point. Best Dressed Teen Female went to Gracie Kohl, of Erie, Pa.
Best Dressed Gentleman was Robert Mafh, of Cleveland, Oh. Best Dressed Woman went to Lauren Pavlovich, of Somerdale, N.J.
Best Dressed Couple went to siblings Ben and McKenzie Merrifield of Somers Point.
Most Unusual Bonnet went to Doris Shull, of Somers Point.
Best Easter Bonnet went to Carmela Keeper, of Margate City.
Best Dressed Family went to the Curran Family of Atlantic City.
