"All good things must come to an end and in Bethany Beach, Del. the end of the summer tourist season is marked by the Jazz Funeral," said Bethany businessman Art Antal.

The 2002 Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is celebrated on Labor Day Monday, September 2 with activities beginning about 5 or 5:30 p.m. The four piece New Orleans Jazz band, the Dixie Cats, will provide the entertainment as Bethany bids a fond farewell to its 2002 summer resort season.

Founded by Moss Wagner 16 years ago, the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral has become one of the most unusual and memorable events in the small Atlantic Ocean summer resort located just south of Rehoboth Beach, Del. and due north of Ocean City, Md. When former town council member Wagner relocated to Crested Butte, Colorado, a group of local enthusiasts continued the tradition that Wagner created.

Wagner's original idea for the Jazz Funeral was to have a party to celebrate the closing of the season in a summer resort town where there is a definite beginning and end to the resort season.

"From a business perspective, after Labor Day, you can pack it in until next year," said Wagner who is now a successful medical therapist and radio show host in Crested Butte.

Although only a few businesses actually close their doors, there is definitely a change in operation as some businesses choose to scale back operations.

Two local businessmen who have helped keep Wagner's vision of the Jazz Funeral alive are Art Antal and Ken Cloud.

A former Jazz Funeral Chairman during the post-Wagner era is Art Antal. Antal is a long time Jazz Funeral enthusiast, arcade owner and restaurateur. Antal shares Wagner's vision that the Jazz Funeral is a "fun" event. He encourages people to dress in "appropriate attire where comedy is the main theme" for the yearly celebration.

Cloud's role in the Jazz Funeral is an important one. Tradition has it that Cloud is the pastor who says the eulogy as "Summer, 2002" is put to rest on the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. On occasion, the pastor's role is also portrayed by Antal.

Cloud, the co-owner of a Bethany women's wear shop stresses that the event is a celebration.

"The Jazz Funeral is a celebration for the residents, the visitors and the businesses," said Cloud who has been a part of the celebration since the idea was conceived.

"The Jazz Funeral is a celebration for the residents, the visitors and the businesses," said Cloud who has been a part of the celebration since the idea was conceived.

A throw back to the Wagner era is the unusual fact that the Jazz Funeral Parade Route will not be announced in advance, said Antal. But this year's procession will most likely start at the North end of the Bethany Boardwalk about 5:30 p.m. and travel south down the Boardwalk to the Bethany Beach Bandstand that overlooks the ocean at Garfield Parkway and Pennsylvania Ave.

The Funeral Procession, accompanied by the music of the Dixie Cats, is expected to consist of the headstone carrier/funeral leader Kirk Rankin, the Grim Reaper, the Reverend Pastor Cloud, Chairman Antal, the grave digger and several other mourners including the widow, the photographer, and Mr. Clean, all of whom are long-time Jazz Funeral participants.

The group and their cohorts carry a coffin containing a mannequin representing the recently departed Summer 2002 along the Bethany Boardwalk for one last trip before the final resting place at the Bandstand overlooking the ocean.

According to the literature from former Jazz Chairman Antal, the Jazz Funeral on Monday, September 2 "with refreshments, entertainment and reminiscence" starts at 5 p.m. with "The Wake." The "Solemn Procession" follows at 5:30 p.m. The event ends with a Reception at a local restaurant about 6 p.m. The Jazz Funeral, "in honor of our departed friend, Summer," is open to all mourners.