Atlantic City, NJ, June 14, 2010 – Join the fun when the First Annual Atlantic City Summer Solstice Parade rolls into town Saturday, June 26, beginning at 1 p.m. on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

The inaugural parade will bring local artists, businesses, organizations, street performers and spectators together in a spontaneous parade celebrating the longest day of the year and another busy summer at the Jersey Shore. The Greater Atlantic City Jaycees, the merchants and casinos of Atlantic City’s Special Improvement District, and other local stakeholders have partnered to bring the parade to Atlantic City’s Boardwalk on the first official weekend of summer.

“After experiencing other summer solstice events, I thought Atlantic City would be a perfect location for an event celebrating freedom and creativity,” says parade organizer Daryl Bulthuis of Casino Connection Magazine. “This is an event everyone can participate in, so hopefully people will feel free to join the festivities.” In fact, onlookers are not only welcome, but encouraged to join the fun. Similar festivals and parades throughout the country emphasize body painting and other forms of artistry in the spirit of the event. Atlantic City’s parade will have a Carnivale theme.

Also on June 26, Hands Across the Sand will take place at three locations in Atlantic City: Garden Pier at New Jersey Avenue; Boardwalk Hall at Florida Avenue; and Albany Avenue. Organized by the South Jersey Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, Clean Ocean Action and the Alaska Wilderness League, Hands Across the Sand is a national movement to oppose offshore oil drilling and champion clean energy and renewables. Participants are asked to gather at 11 a.m.

“At noon, we’ll draw a line in the sand and join hands to say ‘No’ to the offshore oil drilling and ‘Yes’ to clean energy,” says Krissy Halkes, chairwoman of the Surfrider Foundation’s South Jersey Chapter.

At 1 p.m. the Summer Solstice Parade will leave Showboat Casino Hotel and proceed down the Boardwalk to Albany Avenue. Participants include floats, walkers and riders representing: Miss’d America 2010; Atlantic City’s Special Improvement District; ACUA; Pinky Kravitz; Atlantic City Free Public Library’s float featuring Hawaiian drummers and dancers; Tropicana Casino & Resort; the South Jersey Council of the Boy Scouts of America; Ocean Club Realty; Boardwalk Realty; Resorts and the Boogie Nights dancers; Atlantic City Weekly; Royal Rolling Chair Company; Hegeman String Band; Phillip’s Seafood; Ducktown Tavern; Tony Baloney’s Pizzeria and much more.

Following the parade, participants are invited to enjoy Atlantic City’s free beaches and various Summer Solstice-themed events at Atlantic City’s beach bars.

For more information on Hands Across the Sand, contact Krissy Halkes at 609-287-1486.  For more information on the Summer Solstice Parade, call Daryl Bulthuis at 609-705-4884, or visit the website www.acsolsticeparade.com or find it on Facebook.

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