WORLD'S FIRST WIND CHIMES BAND KICKS OFF WEIRED CONTEST WEEK

OCEAN CITY, N.J. ---The World’s First Wind Chimes Band will kick off this City’s annual Weird Contest Week set for Aug. 13-17. The band will perform in front of the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace, at 11 a.m. on the 13th.

The group will consist of professional wind chimers from Air Circus and Barefoot Trading Company on the Boardwalk, popular musician and Elvis performer, Ted Prior, who plays a rare E.P.-3 Wind Chime and members of the City’s Public Relations Office. Other Wind Chimers are invited to join in and jam with the pros when the contest is underway. Call 609-525-9300.

The ensemble will perform the Depression era classic, “Brother Can You Spare A Chime” and the inspirational “Unchimed Melody.”

Weird Contest Week, whose motto has always been and will continue to be “Wacky But Not Tacky” features a series of unusual competitions starting 11 a.m. daily at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. The contest is sponsored by Henry’s Jewelers on the Boardwalk.

The events are spread out over five days so as not to over dose competitors on weirdness. Entry is free. All contests begin at 11 a.m. There are categories for the following age groups 5 and Under, 6-8, 9-12, Teens and Adults. Prizes are awarded.

Salt Water Taffy Sculpting is set for Mon., Aug. 13. The pliable taffy is ideal for creating unusual works of art. Past entries have included Shrek, hermit crabs, computers, a ferris wheel and hopefully this year…wind chimes. The taffy is provided by Shrivers on the Boardwalk.

French Fry Sculpting is scheduled for Tues., Aug. 14 and has produced such entries as bathers on the beach and the clever football sculpture, Fried Receiver. The French Fries are provided by the Promenade on the Boardwalk. Pie Sculpting is Wednesday, Aug. 15 with talented sculptors creating boats, dimensional gulls and the outline of the State of New Jersey with TastyKake Pies.

On Thurs., Aug. 16, events take a physical turn with Wet T Shirt Throwing. Entrants are handed a very damp T Shirt and invited to toss it as far as they can over the sand.

Fri., Aug. 17 features the Mister and Miss Miscellaneous Pageants plus Little Miss Chaos and Little Mister Chaos. Miss and Mister Miscellaneous is for those who have always wanted to compete in a talent pageant but perhaps missed the bus or were detained at a rugby match. Winners are selected for their off-beat talent routines and outrageous costumes.

The Little Miss and Mister Chaos contests are open to tots from 3 to 5 years. The events test their abilities to bang on pots and pans, jingle bells, scream in delight and generally create a racket.