The 33rd Annual Ocean City Christmas Parade marched along Coastal Highway on Saturday, December 5 at 11 a.m. on Old Landing Road and two of our very own were the Masters of Ceremony.
Maxine Bentzel and Chris Weimer both loved emceeing the parade and watching the high school bands, horses, antique cars, colorful holiday floats and more march northbound down Coastal Highway.
Chris Weimer and I had a great time as Masters of Ceremony at the Ocean City Christmas Parade Saturday. I love getting out into the community and getting to know our viewers. That’s what it’s all about!
Posted by Maxine LaMar Bentzel on Sunday, December 6, 2015
Find out what these two had to say about the parade!
Q & A with Maxine Bentzel:
Interviewer: Was this your first time acting as a Master of Ceremony? What was that like for you?
Maxine: “Yes. It was a lot of fun. I have to admit Chris and I were a little nervous since it was both of our first times, but once we got started we got in a rhythm and it was cake.”
Interviewer: How receptive was the crowd?
Maxine: “The crowd was a pretty good size where we were set up. They were fun!”
Interviewer: What was your favorite part of acting as the Master of Ceremony?
Maxine: “My favorite part was seeing all of the creative floats and listening to the music by the bands. It was a lot of fun interacting with Chris off script as well. We’re both so used to doing hard news and having a teleprompter in front of us so it was nice to just talk, narrate and joke around a little.”
Interviewer: Which float was your favorite?
Maxine: 4. “My favorite float was the giant radio flyer wagon. I think it was by an Elementary School. My parents used to wheel me around the boardwalk on a radio flyer wagon when I was little. It brought back a lot of good memories.”
Interviewer: Would you like to do more things like this in the future and why?
Maxine: “Absolutely. It’s so great being able to get to know our viewers and fans and talk with them. Plus you can’t beat being able to give back to the community in any way possible especially around the Holidays.”
Interviewer: The holidays get hectic— what compels you to want to make time for events like this?
Maxine: “Ocean City is very near and dear to my heart. I grew up coming to Ocean City every single summer since I was born. Being able to work in the area and be such a big part of the parade was really surreal. I just love the area and the community. The whole experience was worth it.”
WBOC’s Chris Weimer and Maxine Bentzel
Q & A with Chris Weimer:
Interviewer: Was this your first time acting as a Master of Ceremony? What was that like for you?
Chris: “This was my first time emceeing something as large as a parade so I wasn’t sure how it would go. But the organizers were great in helping us prepare. Working with Maxine is always a joy because she is so good at what se does and she has fun doing it.”
Interviewer: How receptive was the crowd?
Chris: “At first I was a little unsure about doing something that requires so much energy and personality but the crowd was so receptive and engaged in all that was going on that my worries quickly disappeared and it became a really special experience, one that I would be honored to do again.”
Interviewer: The holidays can be crazy— what compels you to want to make time for events like this?
Chris: “I know the holidays can be very busy but it’s taking time to experience all the events surrounding Christmas that makes this time of year so special and having a front row seat for one of the major events was the perfect way to feel that holiday spirit.”
