---

The 83rd Easter Pageant Parade returns 1 to 3 p.m. April 1 in front of the historic Paramount Theatre at Convention Hall on the Asbury Park boardwalk.

The annual event is a popular best of contest with prizes given for everything from most creative bonnets to best dressed men, women, boys, girls, and families.

“The Annual Asbury Park Easter Parade and Pageant is the City’s longest running event,” Councilwoman Jesse Kendle said in a written statement. “The community comes out in their most colorful outfits, springtime dresses and flowered bonnets to celebrate Easter. There’s no better way to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring.”

This year’s judges include Kendle, Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton, Councilwoman Eileen Chapman, and Zoning Board member and retired Asbury Park Board of Education employee Jessie Ricks.

“It’s an important community event, and not just for Asbury residents,” pageant Co-Director Cassandra Dickerson has said. “We attract people from as far as Red Bank, Long Branch, Tinton Falls, Freehold, Neptune and Point Pleasant – it’s a family-friendly event, and that’s why people from all over attend.”

Asbury Park Police Officer Craig Breiner takes on this year’s Easter Bunny duties. Mobile Music is providing the holiday sounds, with decor coming from the Rose of Sharon and trophies by CSC Trophies-Awards & Gifts.

For more information, call event organizers Cassandra Dickerson at 732-502-5759 or Leesha Floyd at 732-502-5755, or visit cityofasburypark.com.

———————————————————————————————————

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

---