83rd Annual Asbury Park Easter Pageant & Parade
From 9 mos to 90, hundreds gather for annual best dressed holiday event
Outfitted in their Easter Sunday best, participants in the 83rd Annual Asbury Park Parade & Pageant traveled from across the state to vie for best dressed bragging rights.
There were families from communities throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties, as well as those from Milltown and Teaneck and even as far away as Brooklyn.
Asbury Park Police Officer Craig Breiner of Manasquan took on this year’s bunny duties, trying unsuccessfully to enter the men’s competition but successfully drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd of hundreds. This year, ages 9 months to 90, entered the best dressed holiday event, with Chocolate Sage owner Donna Harrison taking on emcee duties.
The event, organized by city employees Leesha Floyd and Cassandra Dickerson, kicked off 1 p.m. in front of the historic Convention Hall with the signature promenade before moving inside the Paramount Theatre for the final judging.
This year’s judges include Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, Councilman Jesse Kendle, Councilwomen Yvonne Clayton and Eileen Chapman, and Zoning Board member and retired Asbury Park Board of Education employee Jessie Ricks.
Marquis Crawford, 4, of Asbury Park took the boy’s top honor and Ja’zell Craddock, 4, of Neptune took the girl’s best dressed accolade.
The men’s category saw a repeat win for James Greene, 77, of Red Bank.
“I’ve been participating for the past 11 years,” he said. “Each year I say it is my last.”
And while, he did not take top honors, 90-year-old Dominic Renzi Brick did capture runner up honors for his thrift store bought Easter outfit.
“I bought the jacket for $5 and the pants for a $1 at a thrift store,” the third year contestant said.
His partner in the family category, Diana Partusch, 68, of Brick took home the best dressed woman’s accolade, explaining that she bought three hats to create her black and white chapeau.
“I’m so happy to be here,” she said. “I just recently got out of the hospital and wasn’t sure I’d be able to participate this year.”
The Sanchez family from Teaneck took top honors in the family category, with daughter Kasai, 9, explaining that entering the Asbury Park Easter Parade and Pageant had become a family tradition.
In the end, Audrey Carlton, 5, of Milltown took the top honors for coveted best bonnet award.
Rose of Sharon provided the holiday decor and the trophies were done by CSC Trophies-Awards & Gifts. Jay Newcomb of Mobile Music said he has provided the holiday sounds for the past 26 years.
“It’s a really nice annual event,” he said.
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