4th of July Celebrated Ocean City MD Style!
You are invited to celebrate the 4th – Ocean City style! Lower Shore visitors will have plenty to do July Fourth with a variety of activities ranging from barbecues to festivals in the area -
On the beach at North Division Street in Ocean City, there will be a free concert at 8 p.m. featuring Rick K and the Allnighters, followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Attendees just need a chair or blanket. At Northside Park in North Ocean City, there will be another free concert at 8 p.m., featuring Dr. K’s Motown Review. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.
FIREMEN VISIT OUR TOWN – and a PARADE!
Everyone loves a parade – including the folks in the Ocean City Maryland area! For more than six decades our fine Town has proudly played host to the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Convention and Conference. Gathering annually, for 117 years the members have met to enjoy fellowship, attend training seminars and honor their peers. It’s obviously a close-knit community – representing the Volunteer Fire, Rescue and EMS Personnel of Maryland. Whether volunteer or paid, these brave people daily put their skills and knowledge to the ultimate test, face crises and danger together while continually holding public safety as their highest priority. This Convention, culminating with a glorious parade is their 
time to share with the brotherhood. Wednesday, June 17th was no exception, the 2009 parade was again spectacular – an endless line of shiny fire trucks manned by men in uniform interspersed with marching bands playing vibrant music, historic fire trucks of yesteryear and show cars featuring honorees. Included were many young ladies sporting banners of “Miss ‘Any Town’ Maryland”. While strolling the sidewalks of the parade route, we overheard one little viewer asking her mother, “Please, I want to see the princesses” – and that’s what they looked like – in gorgeous dresses and crowns – their throne being the backseat of a convertible. Also noted – gratefully it seems that even in fighting fires today’s super technology has taken over. The newest emergency vehicles have large and very visible ‘control panels’ and although they resemble the cockpit of a spaceship – we can be secure in the knowledge that each and every function plays an
important role toward meeting our many and varied everyday emergencies and insuring YOUR continued safety.
For further information visit the website at http://msfa.org
To enlarge any photo, just ‘click’!
FREE Events & Activities – in Ocean City!
2009 Schedule of FREE, FUN Events & Activities in Ocean City MD –
The following events and activities are offered FREE throughout the season from The Town of Ocean City Maryland -
Family Movie Nights
The return of Family Movie Nights will take place on June 29 on the beach at 27th Street and continue every Monday and Friday through Aug. 14.
From 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., families can gather for fun activities and a movie right on the beach, all for free. Activities organized by the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department include arts and crafts, games and other activities for the first hour, with the movie starting at approximately 8:45 p.m. (Movies are shown as weather permits.)
The movies scheduled are:
June 29: Bolt
July 3: Bed Time Stories
July 6: Madagascar 2
July 10: The Shaggy Dog
July 13: Surf’s Up
July 17: Dr. Dolittle 3
July 20: IGOR
July 24: Ratatouille
July 27: Kung Fu Panda
July 31: Tale of Despreaux
Aug. 3: Beethoven’s Big Break
Aug. 7: The Incredibles
Aug. 10: Open Season 2
Aug. 14: Monsters vs. Aliens
Family Beach Olympics
Another free activity is the Family Beach Olympics planned for Tuesday evenings June 30 through Aug. 11. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the 27th St. beach, Family Beach Olympics will offer such activities as sand castle contests, tug of war, relay games and more. Children must be accompanied by parents or guardians.
Beach Concerts
A summer full of free Concerts on the Beach take the stage on the beach at N. Division St. on Wednesdays from 8 to 9:30 p.m. just steps from Ocean City’s Boardwalk. Bring your beach chairs and/or beach blankets and then sit back to enjoy the show each Wednesday evening July 15 through Sept. 2 (no concert July 29).
This season’s Concerts on the Beach schedule is:
July 15: Sir Rod
July 22: Randy Lee Ashcraft & the Saltwater Cowboys
Aug. 5: NOMAD
Aug. 12: Zydeco-a-Go-Go
Aug. 19: Captain Quint
Aug. 26: Frankie & the Pack
Sept. 2: Lauren Glick Band
Bonfires On The Beach
The Town of Ocean City’s weekly evening Bonfires on the Beach program will return to the beach at N. Division St. for its eighth season of entertaining families. Each Thursday at 9 p.m., July 9-Aug. 27, the bonfire hour is offered free of charge. Bring your beach chairs and blankets. As you sit around the bonfire you will be entertained each week by different speakers.
The 2009 Bonfire speaker schedule is:
July 9: Ocean City Emergency Services
July 16: National Aquarium
July 23: Ocean City Department of Tourism’s history and fun things to do
July 30: Ocean City Beach Patrol
Aug. 6: Ocean City Police Dept.’s bike patrol, mounted police & canine unit August 13 – Ocean City Fire Department
Aug. 20: Ocean City Fire Marshal
Aug. 27: Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department
Sundaes In The Park
The Town’s popular Sundaes in the Park family concert series is offered on Sundays at Northside Park, 127th St. bayside, July 12 through Aug. 27. The music plays from 6 to 8 p.m. While the music plays, children will enjoy special entertainment just for them. Cool off and make your own ice cream sundae for a small fee. Then sit back and enjoy the music in the beautiful setting of Northside Park.
The schedule features:
July 12: Key West Band and Mike Rose Magic
July 19: Rising Sun Reggae and Uncle Pete with Kids
July 26: J.R. Booker and Cascading Carlos
Aug. 2: The Adrian Duke Projek and Lollipop the Clown
Aug. 9: Queen City Funk & Soul and Mike Rose Magic
Aug. 16: Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis and Scales and Tales
Aug. 23: Mary Lou & the Untouchables and John Donaldson “Magic-N-Fun.”
Sunset Park Festivals
Two festivals are being planned at Sunset Park on the bayside in Ocean City’s downtown at S. Division Street – Polish Festival Night on July 28 and Greek Festival Night on Aug. 25.
Festivals feature music and food (fee charged for food and drink items). Both festivals will run from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Museum Programs
The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum at the south end of the Boardwalk is once again offering free programs each Monday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Topics vary daily and include beach safety, aquarium feeding, knot tying and all about sharks.
ART’S ALIVE…and very much so!
This past weekend the lovely Northside Park, located bayside in Ocean City MD became, for the ninth consecutive year, a most perfect and natural setting for the ever anticipated event, ‘ARTS ALIVE‘. And, except for a spit of rain on Saturday it was again a most perfect event. Developed and sponsored by the Town of Ocean City partnered with the Art League of Ocean City this special gathering of more than 100 juried, fine artists and artisans show and sell original 
works in various categories. The Town awards $5,000 and ribbons in merit awards here annually. Many of the artists featured return each year from far away to this very special event…finding a discriminating and appreciative audience for their unique talents. The waterside park complex showcase adds to the occasion…from the tree shaded walk paths surrounding the lagoon, along which the artists’ tents are comfortably placed, including bridges and bay views, one feels that art is everywhere even
in the tranquil music played throughout the grounds. There are free children’s workshops offered on both days thanks to a grant from the Worcester County Arts Council. Lunch is available on site. Join us again next June for this most joyful celebration of the Arts, here along the beautiful coastal bays in Ocean City Maryland.
OC Air Show 2009 – peeping, then a ‘burst of blue’!
It all began on a warm Friday afternoon, aircraft practice flights preparing for this weeks’ Ocean City Maryland Air Show. Due to the unquestioned success of the show last year – held mid week – this years show, along with being held on a weekend, had been planned to be better yet with even more exciting activities. And while the planes were planned to be visible the entire length of our beach, the drops and such would be concentrated between 16th and 18th Streets and the Boardwalk. Alas, what began so auspiciously on Friday deteriorated on Saturday afternoon due to a soft, cloudy haze just above the surf – 
allowing only peeps of the various aircraft but no long-term, continuous visibility! Many of the more structured events were canceled. Sunday morning again revealed that pesky haze however, by showtime around noon the sky showed a ‘burst of blue’ – clear flying weather! All performances were able to go off as scheduled – (a photographer’s dream!) One of the more exciting demonstrations was the helicopter air-sea rescue with the bright red ‘bird’ hovering just off the beach. And then there was the little ‘hampster’ from the Air Force Reserve unit trailing regularly spaced, puffs of exhaust – a cutie! Certainly all worth waiting for! However, even during the cloudy times being in Ocean City Maryland, the premier, mid-Atlantic resort town, a weekend with cloudy weather still poses little hardship for anyone. 
Throughout the weekend there continued to be free admission into the special aerial exhibits at the Ocean City Inlet Parking area where guests are able to inspect some of the aircraft and view other exciting aircraft exhibits. The air of festivity remained all along the Boardwalk. Amongst other generous contributors some primary sponsors of this inspiring event are the Town of Ocean City MD, GEICO, Pepsi and Welcome Maryland. For more information and to further view some spectacular photographs visit the website at www.ocairshow.com.
Our sincere thanks to Bill Swartwout of OCtheBeach.com for the terrific photos – To enlarge any photo, just ‘click’!
Rainy, but FUN – more to see and do!
It does happen occasionally – that gray and cool-ish rainy day! However, a rainy day during the summertime while in Ocean City Maryland can be a welcome respite – offering that opportunity to see and do something other than lie in the sun or frolic in the surf! Our resort town and surrounds are filled with interesting and informative indoor activities to delight visitors of every age. First, there are the many local, small town museums, beginning with the famed and historic, Coast Guard Life-Saving Maritime Museum located at the inlet – south end of the Boardwalk, offering history. It’s a real ‘don’t miss’ for any visitor. And, then there’s the shopping…with the 
plethora of shops and stores on and surrounding the island, including the Ocean City Factory Outlets (including the White Marlin Mall), one may run out of time (or funds) very quickly. Also, combining history and shopping – there are the antiques shops, throughout southern Delaware (listed in the ‘Stormy Weather’ brochure available most anywhere) and over the bridge in Berlin – filled to overflowing with great-granny’s goodies, these shops elicit pleasant memories as well as curiosity of times past. Finally, there is dining, inclement weather seems to bring a more comfortable and leisurely pace while dining – more time to explore the fresh and diverse offerings from our local restaurants. Actually, any and all of the aforementioned activities may provide that more than welcome diversion until the sun shines again (as it ALWAYS does) here at the beach!
To enlarge any photo, just ‘click’!
Sweet SUMMERTIME in Ocean City Maryland
Sunny, warm weather brings out the very best of the beach resort activities here in Ocean City Maryland! No matter, participant or viewer – there is something for everyone all summer long!
JUNE
OC Surfrider Longboard Challenge – June 5-7, Beach at 37th St. Contests, demonstrations and more. Visit http://surfider.org/oceancitymd
OC Car & Truck Show – June 6-7, Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay. Vehicles, music entertainment, celebrity appearances & much more. Admission. http://www.occarshow.com
Mid-Atlantic Classic Chevy Festival – June 6-7, Francis Scott Key Motel, Rt. 50. Open to all 1929-72 Chevrolets!
OC Air Show – June 12-14, OC Beach & Boardwalk. Featuring U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds! Parachute team jumps, civilian aerobatic performances, low altitude flyovers, and military aircraft demonstrations. http://ocairshow.com
Sandcastle Contest – June 13, Carousel Resort Hotel, 118th St. Family event for amateur sand sculptors. Prizes! Music! www.oceancity.com
MD State Fireman’s Assoc. Conference Parade – June 17th, 1 pm. Inlet to 9th St.
More info – visit www.info@msfa.org
OC Beachfest – June 19-21, Convention Center – Bayside Mid-town. Celebration of the beach lifestyle featuring action sports! Admission. www.oceancitybeachfest.com
Arts Alive – June 30-21st, Northside Park, 127th St. Activities for the whole family in a tranquil park setting. 800-626-2326
JULY
Concert & Fireworks Uptown & Downtown – July 4th, The Bay & N. Division St & the Beach. Family fun begins at 8 pm – Fireworks display at 9:30. 800-626-2326
OC Tuna Tournament – July 10-12, OC Fishing Center, off Rt. 50 in West OC. East Coast’s largest tuna tournament. Weight-ins: Friday & Saturday 4-7:30 pm, Sunday 4-7 pm www.oceancitytunatournament.com
Starpower National Talent Competition – July 19-23, Convention Center – 40th & Bay. World competition for a dancers who qualified at regional’s held across the US.
www.starpowertalent.com
Greek Festival – July 24th-26th, Convention Center, 40th St. & Bay. Traditional Greek cuisine, music and dancing. Admission. 410-524-0990.
Polish Festival – July 28th, S. Division St. & Bay (Bayside Boardwalk/Inlet) Sunset Park. Share the beauty of different cultures with live entertainment, food and a wine garden. Tuesday, 5-9 pm.
AUGUST
OC Custom Car & Bike Show – August 1-2, Convention Center – 40th & Bay. OC’s celebrity car show featuring top name performances and the hottest vehicles on the planet. Admission. www.occarshow.com
White Marlin Open – August 3-7, Harbour Island, 14th & Bay. World’s largest billfish tournament. Spectators see weigh-ins free of charge. www.whitemarlinopen.com
Antiques-by-the-Sea – August 7-9, Convention Center. 66th Annual antiques show, exhibits and sales by scores of area antiques vendors. Admission.
www.stpaulsbythesea.org
Kids Crab Round-up – August 8th, Northside Park (125th & Bay). Fun & learning about blue crabs. For children 12yrs. and under accompanied by an adult. Sat., 9am-12noon.
Greek Party – August 25th, Sunset Park (S.Division & Bay). Celebrate Greek culture with live entertainment, food & a wine garden. http://ococean.com
LABOR DAY WEEKEND – September 4th – 6th, Convention Center. A fun shopping experience with art & crafters displaying unique items for show & sale.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND – September 5th, Sunset Park (N. Division St. Beach). Enjoy free concert on the beach to celebrate the holiday weekend! Bring a blanket or chair & enjoy the weekend. Saturday, 8 pm. 800-626-2326
SPRINGFEST, ARTS NIGHT, JAZZ & BLUES – and MORE!
Each spring, along with the big Ocean City Maryland, four-day, “resort season opener” SPRINGFEST event, other nearby area towns and villages on Maryland’s famed Eastern Shore schedule concurrent crowd-pleasing, fun activities. In the village of Historic Berlin, a short seven-mile jaunt west of the beach, the feature on Friday evening was the annual celebration of Spring ARTS NIGHT with musicians, visual artists and artisans and their works overflowing from shop doors and jamming the streets! The event, along with a “Fall ARTS NIGHT” allows this tiny jewel of a town to exhibit why it has earned the title of a Maryland designated “Arts & Entertainment Community”. From 6 pm until sometimes the wee hours visitors 
may enjoy strolling, shopping, dining, listening to performances and meeting friends – new and old. And, it’s FREE!
For a double whammy weekend – on Saturday, Berlin followed with the Second Annual JAZZ & BLUES BASH. Again, offering that air of fun – this time with added street side vendors and continuous musical performances set on two stages placed at either end of Main Street in the downtown District. Begging to be mentioned were the giant, hot, smoked turkey drumsticks served up that day by the towns’ own GLOBE restaurant. Certainly adding to the enjoyment of a true festival air on this fine spring day was this most tasty ‘fist’ food!
It goes to show that any time you find yourself here at the beach, take a minute to peruse a local tabloid (available anywhere) or jump online and learn about ALL the fun events and activities we have to offer ALL year round!
To enlarge any photo, just ‘click’!
SPRINGFEST 2009 – all in perfect alignment!
Always eagerly anticipated however sometimes receiving rather rough treatment by Mother Nature, the stars seem to be in perfect alignment this year for the annual SPRINGFEST 2009! Beginning Thursday, May 7th and lasting through Sunday, May 10th each day builds upon the last with hopefully 
ideal weather conditions in the Ocean City Maryland area. The warm sunshine and soft breezes at the Springfest inlet site requires for most a quick trip to the closet for summertime gear – shorts, broad-brimmed hats and sunglasses! This fun festival features almost constant live entertainment (mostly free) on two stages, two 
huge arts and craft tents with over 180 vendors and filled with hand crafted creations, a food tent containing a variety of terrific Eastern Shore-style food specialties (second to none in our opinion) and a country fair style midway lined by vendors offering more interesting stuff. Crowds are everywhere; along the boardwalk 
going to and from the fest…the line waiting for those famous salt and vinegar spiced fries from Thrashers is sometimes endless and nearly every bench seat is taken with folks just basking in the sunshine welcoming the wonderful summertime season which is now nearly upon us. Late Sunday however will find the tents being carefully packed away 
awaiting the even bigger festival…SUNFEST 2009, running from September 24th through the 27th which marks the beginning of the fall beach season – locally known as ’second season’. For more information on these and other seasonal events visit the Ocean City Parks and Recreation website at www.ococean.com.
Free parking is available at the West Ocean City Park & Ride. Park free & ride shuttle bus to Springfest for $1. Ride the Boardwalk Tram to the Inlet for $3 each way. Express trolley shuttles will depart from the south lot of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center at 40th Street, ride all day for $2.
Note: To enlarge any photo, just “click”.
Music, Nature, Crab Soup…a great beginning!
It’s early May – the first weekend of that merry month and the unofficial beginning to the Ocean City Maryland season. Several events of note are scheduled. The first is the Festivals of Music – a two-day gathering of middle, junior & high school instrumental and choral organizations culminating with a Boardwalk Parade on Saturday, May 2nd at an undetermined (to us) time (morning)! While patiently waiting for this parade to begin my partner and I decided to enjoy a local Boardwalk breakfast. Since we had settled on 4th Street as the place from which to view the parade, it was only natural to stroll a few steps across the boards to Boardwalk Joe’s, which is located beneath the beachfront El Capitan. Not a big place, nor a fancy place but a place that serves a generous plate of the best ‘sausage gravy & biscuits’, fluffy pancakes and link sausage around. 
You gotta’ know this place is a winner!
Area wide this weekend has much to offer – still Saturday, and traveling west to the Historic Golden Quarter Farm situated along Ayers Creek in West Ocean City we came upon the Native Plant Festival sponsored by the Assateague Coastal Trust . Plants for sale, handcrafts, gardening tips and demonstrations are all a part of this nature based annual event! Lots of fun for anyone who enjoys both greenery and scenery!
Arriving back at the beach, another Saturday event offers a perfect opportunity to work off those biscuits and pancakes by joining local community groups during the Annual Ocean City Surfrider Foundation Beach Clean-up beginning at 10 am – beach and 37th Street. Afterwards, we found ourselves again with a stimulated 
appetite…the remedy for which sometimes may only be appeased Ocean City-style! There was the White Marlin Festival beginning at noon and held at the Somerset Street Plaza just off the south Boardwalk. It is here that the ever popular, famed Crab Soup Cook-Off is held where the best OC chefs compete for your vote! Thick and creamy, or red, vege laden soups are yours to try for a mere $12.00. The OC Downtown Association – sponsors this delicious, fun activity.
Surely, a full day and surely a great beginning to our best season here at the beach!
To enlarge any photo, just ‘click’!
