By MADDY VITALE
Sure, there were flowing floral dresses, pastel-colored tailored suits, lots of hats and even a few fedoras. Oh, and there was an abundance of adorable when it came to the clothing of babies and school-age children on Easter Sunday in Ocean City.
Easter Fashion Stroll, a long-standing tradition in the family-friendly resort, offers contestants a place to make some fashion statements, show the world, or rather a rather large audience outside Music Pier, some of their best products. Easter. And for some, they even got a bit of a celebrity treatment as the crowd erupted in cheers for some of their outfits.
The Curran family was a great joy to the audience, wearing bright red dresses with interesting accessories to win them the best dressed family.
And there was also another show. The most unusual hood went to Doris Shull.
Somers Point’s Shull wowed the crowd with his handmade creation. He was complete with lights and toy chicks that actually chirped for the crowd’s amusement.
Former Junior Miss Ocean City Natalie Argento hosted the event. Miss Ocean City Maddyn Randazzo, Junior Miss Makenna Fleming and Little Miss Arianna DiAntonio also chaired the event.
Before the program and after, the Philly Keys piano duet entertained the audience by performing old favorites from Elton John’s songs to Queen.
Prizes were awarded for the best dressed children, teens, adults and families. But like all the years before, all the children have been declared winners.
Even though the Koons family didn’t win the Best Dressed Family, they still enjoyed the Easter fashion walk.
Bill and June Koons, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, their daughter, Susan Koons, and her 11-year-old twins Evan and Makenzie enjoyed the carefree race.
“The headphones were really his inspirations,” said Susan Koons of her daughter who wanted the whole family to participate in the contest.
The family went to a craft shop, bought some pieces to make headphones and other accessories, and got to work.
“It took about an hour,” noted June Koons.
Bill Koons, 76, said he was happy to join his family for the contest. He said he likes family events in Ocean City.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid,” he said. “This environment 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 teen girl went to Gracie Kohl, of Erie, Pennsylvania.
The best dressed gentleman was Robert Mafh, of Cleveland, Oh. The best dressed woman went to Lauren Pavlovich, of Somerdale, NJ
Best Dressed Couple went to brothers Ben and McKenzie Merrifield of Somers Point.
The most unusual hood went to Doris Shull, of Somers Point.
The best Easter hat went to Carmela Keeper, of Margate City.
Best Dressed Family went to the Curran family of Atlantic City.
