Though the promenade is quiet this blustery October Saturday, parade organisers motion for a handful of vehicles to fall in line. For 30 years, casinos created a veneer of glitz and glamour along its seaside boardwalk. This town of about 40,000 has a long history of keeping up appearances. “Like it’s sunny and it’s beautiful and you want to be here.”

Guardian poses with the group for pictures in front of a float bearing Italian and American flags. The fast-talking 61-year-old shakes hands with one wearing a tiara and sash reading “Miss Columbus”, from a beauty pageant to celebrate its namesake’s arrival in North America.

Drops of water patter against the town’s wooden boardwalk as Mayor Don Guardian approaches four young women shivering in gowns.