Sixth Annual 76ers Beach Bash

by Ainé Ardron-Doley

The 76ers just released their 2003-2004 season schedule and the city is bracing for a wildly unpredictable run. But hold up! Right now, it's all about sand crabs, sharks (well, maybe not sharks!) and outdoor pastimes at the Sixth Annual 76ers Beach Bash. Sure, they went down in the second round of last season's playoffs with Captain Larry Brown steering the ship right into that big ol' Detroit iceberg -- but winning isn't everything, right? Just outside the doors of Jack's Place in Avalon, N.J., there'll be family fun with clowns, face painters, prizes, memorabilia raffles and more -- weather permitting, of course. And, rain or shine, the NBA's coolest-named mascot, Hip-Hop, will be hopping about while the team's house band jams the night away. Workin' the bar will be celeb bartenders: The outrageous and usually hilarious sports-radio personalities of 610 WIP, Rhea Hughes and Big Daddy Graham, will show along with Don Tollefson, Flyers legend Joe Watson and a host of others. There's more: The 2003-04 Dance Team (yes, those young women that prance about in minimal clothing to pep up the team or, um, satiate male basketball fans) will be making their first dancing appearance as a group. So while Sixers newbies and benchwarmers kick it in summer-league play, this is a party; a wacky, wild and maybe great b-ball season is a few months away.

Sixth Annual 76ers Beach Bash, Sat., Aug. 9, noon-4 p.m., $15 donation for adults (benefiting Sixers charities), free outdoor activities, Jack’s Place, 3601 Ocean Dr., Avalon, N.J., complimentary shuttle from the municipal parking lot at 29th to the beach, 215-339-7666.