Events

Ocean City has held races on the Boardwalk, over the causeway, on the beach, along the railroad tracks, and now through the downtown. Friday, Dec. 19^th will mark the inauguration of our first DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY DASH starting 6 p.m.

Men, Women, Children and folks in Santa and Holiday garb will have the opportunity to participate. Non-racers will be able to enjoy the action while shopping and dining in the City’s Award winning downtown. Most businesses will be open until 8 p.m.

The Ocean City Track and Field Boosters Club, the City, Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Merchants have devised yet another Ocean City first to entertain the public.

The Holiday treats continue in Ocean City. This weekend enjoy a holiday show that rivals anything you’ll see on Broadway. Plus a comprehensive free Holiday Health Fair, free horse carriage rides in the downtown, many special events, and the pleasures of shopping on Asbury Avenue voted the BEST SHOPPING DISTRICT in SOUTH JERSEY!

(Dec. 12-14) The 2014 HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR by the Greater Ocean City Theatre Co. has become one of the musical highlights of the season. You can always count on this talented group of professional performers directed and choreographed by the talented Michael Hartman for an outstanding show. This weekend’s production is a high energy, family oriented, song and dance spectacular. It features dazzling costumes, familiar songs, special guests, toe-tapping numbers and colorful effects that kindles the Holiday Spirit and brings the magic of the season to life.

(Dec. 5) Ocean City’s Annual CHRISTMAS PARADE gives youngsters an opportunity to meet and greet Santa in Ocean City on Friday. The Parade starts 6:30 p.m. with a route from 6^th to 11^th Streets on Asbury Ave. This will be the largest Christmas Parade in recent years.

There will be many Floats some with music. The Ocean City High School Band and Pennsport String Band will entertain. There will be themed cars, special displays and costumed characters. The Boys and Girls Ocean City High School Soccer teams ranked number one in South Jersey, The High School Field Hockey Team Group III Champs and the High School Boys and Girls Cross Country Cape Atlantic Champions will also march.

Santa arrives in a horse and carriage. After the Parade, Santa will greet youngsters, dispense treats and pose for photos at the Park across from City Hall. The event is sponsored by the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, the City of Ocean City and the Downtown Merchants Assn. For information, call (609) 399-1412.

CHRISTMAS IN THE DOWNTOWN, also known as “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue,” and an “Old Fashioned Family Christmas” is from 2 to 5 p.m. along the award winning Asbury Ave. shopping district on Friday, Nov. 28.

The event features the arrival of Santa Claus from the City Hall Roof at 5 p.m., a special appearance by the Phillie Phanatic from 4 to 6 p.m. in the staging area in front of City Hall, 9^th and Asbury Ave., plus caroling and entertainment.

Santa will greet his fans and pose for photos at the Gazebo across from City Hall from 2 to 4 p.m., descend from City Hall Roof at 5 p.m., then return to the Gazebo from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Michael Hartman of The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company will emcee and lead his performers and the audience in the singing of Christmas Carols from 4 to 5 p.m. in front of City Hall prior to Santa’s descent.

“It’s your Holiday Wake-Up Call!” The Popular “Earlier than the Bird” pre-holiday savings spree is set for Sat., Nov. 22^nd from 8 a.m. till Noon. The event extends from 6^th to 11^th St. on Asbury Ave., in the City’s Downtown, recently voted the best in South Jersey.

You are encouraged to shop early in your pajamas to enjoy the best buys. There will be free turkeys for best dressed. Plus free coffee and giveaways at Jon & Patty’s Bistro, 6^th and Asbury Ave., Ocean City Coffee, 9^th and Asbury and Starbucks, 11^th and Asbury.

Sign up in stores to win up to $150 in gift certificates. From noon to 3 p.m. there will be free horse and carriage rides and free photos with Santa. NOTE: The best deals will be from 8 a.m. till noon. For details call 1-800-BeachNJ or access www.oceancityvacation.com.

The City’s Annual VETERANS DAY PROGRAM is set for Tuesday, Nov. 11^th at Veterans Memorial Park, 5^th and Wesley Ave., starting 11 a.m. The principal address will be given by Maureen Hickman Caporaso, daughter of Captain Vincent J. Hickman, MIA Jan. 14, 1964. Mayor Jay A. Gillian will welcome the community and Ocean City Primary School students will present a “Thank You to Veterans.”

The program begins with the Presentation of colors by the Dramis Detachment of the Marine Corps League. The Invocation by Father Edmond Speitel and Singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Julia Mary Wilson will follow. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by American Legion Post Commander Bob Marzulli and City Administrator Michael Dattilo will introduce guests. There will be a Placing of the Wreath by Joseph Walters and Clark Manley. Rev. Gregory Johnson will give the Benediction and VFW Post Commander, Mike Morrissey will close the ceremony.

This is a fast paced, noisy world we live in with music that relies more on amplification and thunderous repetition than melody… and TV programs and movies that feature ear shattering explosions and cars that sail into space before disintegrating in flames. Noise! Noise! Noise! Speed! Speed! Speed!

Enter the Quiet Festival, Ocean City’s celebration of serenity and soundless stuff. The event is set for Nov. 14-16. The Centerpiece of the Festival is scheduled for Sat., Nov. 15 at the Community Center, 17^th and Simpson Ave. Here you will find events ranging from the Quiet Pet Contest and Maple Pod Fish Exhibition to the making and flying of paper airplanes and a snoring contest.

The event set for 10 a.m. to noon in the spacious Senior Room of the Community Center. The Quiet Pet Contest invites Hamsters, Mice, Guinea Pigs, Turtles, Hermit Crabs, Ferrets, etc. to compete for prizes. A Chicken applied recently and has been placed in the Etcetera Category. The contest has also been opened to stuffed animals like Teddy Bears and anything else quiet and cuddly.

Plenty of events to choose from this week in Ocean City:

Thurs. Oct. 30: Ocean City’s Annual HALLOWEEN PARADE sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club has for years been one of the best in the region. You’ll see an array of colorful costumed characters vying for prizes in different divisions. The Ocean City and Mainland High School bands will be featured. Plus the famous Pitman Hobo Band, known for their amusing antics and great music, will entertain you. There will be floats and other special entries.

The Parade starts 7:15 p.m. Route is from 6^th to 11^th Streets on Asbury Ave. through Ocean City’s Downtown, voted the best in South Jersey. Boy Scouts will be collecting canned and dried food along the route for the Food Cupboard. For more information, call the Parade Info Hotline, 1-800-813-5580.

TRICK OR TREAT NIGHT in Ocean City is Friday, Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Children should be accompanied by adults and wear reflective clothing. Be careful when crossing streets, carry a flashlight and costumes should provide good visibility.

Ocean City’s Annual WELCOME NIGHT sponsored by Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce is set for Oct. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Here you will meet groups, businesses and organizations throughout the City and learn what they have to offer. Admission is free and there will be refreshments, give-aways and door prizes. Call (609) 399-1412 for more information.

HALLOWEEN Related Events:

The City’s 67^th Annual HALLOWEEN PARADE is scheduled for Thurs., Oct. 30^th starting 7:15 p.m. Parade route is from 6^th to 11^th Streets on Asbury Ave. The event has been presented all 67 years by the Ocean City Exchange Club and is one of the longest running Halloween Parades in the Tri-State area.  Jeff Shirk chairs the event.

The 25th Annual Trail of Two Cities 5K Run/Walk over the Causeway between Ocean City and Somers Point is set for Sat., Nov. 1 starting 8 a.m. The popular event begins at the Transportation Center, 9^th and Haven Ave. in Ocean City and ends at JFK Park in Somers Point.

The run/walk is open to all ages from 9 and under to 70 plus. Pre-registration received by Oct. 29 is $25. Day of race at the Ocean City Transportation Center is $30 starting at 7 a.m. No mail-ins after Oct. 29. Immediate families of up to four people can register for $75 up to Oct. 23. Families must pre-register with a separate form completed for each family member.

The Popular FALL BLOCK PARTY/FIREWORKS and related events are set for this weekend. Preceding the Block Party on Friday, October 10, the Ocean City High School Football Team will dedicate their home game to BREAST CANCER AWARENESS.

The players will be wearing pink socks and the field will have pink ribbons painted on it. The Red Raider Football Association will honor family members of student athletes who have fought or are fighting Breast Cancer by making them honorary captains for the game. The School will donate $1 from each admission to Breast Cancer Awareness. To donate, call Tonia Nathan (609) 214-0010 or Marcia McCulley (609) 425-2911.

The game is set for Carey Stadium at 7 p.m. and fans are asked to “wear pink.”  Painting the Field pink was started by Mike Lenhardt, City Supervisor of Grounds, to honor his wife Gina, who died from Breast Cancer.

Last October Ron MacCloskey, a life–long Frankenstein fan, exhibited his collection of portraits and cartoons of the world’s most famous monster at the Ocean City Free Public Library. This October, the Library will feature an all new exhibit from MacCloskey’s collection starting Wednesday, Oct. 1 and running through the month in its Atrium. Among over 50 portraits is one of Elvis and Priscilla Presley. “He loved old Horror Movies, especially Frankenstein,” Priscilla told MacCloskey.

Also in the exhibit is a cartoon by internationally syndicated artist of the “Close to Home” strip, John McPherson, who was grand marshal of Ocean City’s Doo Dah Parade two years ago.

In addition to the exhibit, MacCloskey will present “The World of Frankenstein, a Fan’s Tribute to the Monster.” This is an original show written and performed by MacCloskey. It is scheduled for Thurs., Oct. 23 starting 7 p.m. in the Library’s Auditorium, 17^th and Simpson Ave. Admission is free to both Frankenstein events.

Ocean City’s Award Winning Boardwalk hosts numerous charitable events benefiting organizations that combat Heart Disease, Cancer, ALS and many other non-profit, public service foundations. Several years ago, the Public Relations office researched the total amount all these groups raised in Ocean City. It was $30 million. It has grown since then.

Two such events will be held in Ocean City this Saturday, Sept. 27th the WALK FOR THE WOUNDED and BIKE MS CITY TO SHORE 2014 RIDE.

One of the largest Corvette Shows in the East will brighten Ocean City’s Boardwalk on Sunday, Sept. 21. Over 350 Corvettes, including every model ever manufactured, will be exhibited from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from 6^th to 14^th St. on the Boards.

Local Corvette owners and many from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey will participate plus scattered entries from as far away as Ohio, Indiana and Florida. The show is held rain or shine.

Registration will be from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. at the Ocean City Airport on Sunday. The Ocean City Humane Society and Food Cupboard will accept donations at that location.

The City will hold its September 11^th   Patriot Day Ceremony on Thursday starting 7p.m. at Ocean City Fire Headquarters, 550 Asbury Ave. The program includes Striking of the Four Fives, James Smith, Deputy Fire Chief of Ocean City Fire and Rescue Services; Presentation of the Colors, L/Cpl George L. Dramis, Marine Corps Color Guard; Flag Salute, Bob Marzulli, Commander, American Legion Post 524 and Michael Morrissey, Commander, VFW Post 6650; National Anthem, Julia Mary Wilson; Retire the Colors.

Invocation, Rev. John Jamieson, Ocean City Fire Department Chaplain; Introduction of dignitaries, Michael Dattilo, Ocean City Business Administrator; Keynote speaker, Ocean City Chief of Police, Chad Callahan; Laying of Wreath, Ocean City Police and Fire Department representatives; Amazing Grace, Jack Meehan Bagpipes; Remarks and Benediction, Rev. Gregory Johnson, Shiloh Baptist Church, and the Singing of God Bless America by Elizabeth Toal of the Ocean City Theatre Co. 

Two free AIR SHOWS are set for the weekend: The City’s ANNUAL AIR FESTIVAL will be held at the Municipal Airport, 26^th and Bay Ave., on Sat., Sept. 13^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature a ground display of a B25J Mitchell World War II Bomber plus a WWW II Grumman TBM Avenger.

Some great aerial entertainment is coming your way. And it’s free!

In less that two weeks Ocean City will present two exciting and entertaining air shows in two days.

The first is the ANNUAL AIR FESTIVAL at the Ocean City Municipal Airport, 26^th and Bay Ave. It’s set for Sat., Sept 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features a ground display of a B25J Mitchell World War II Bomber plus a WW2 Grumman TBM Avenger. Bring your cameras. You will want to take photos of these legendary aircraft.

The airport runway will be covered by interesting aircraft. These will include Classics, Antiques, Ultralights, Warbirds and Homebuilts. There will also be military vehicles and antique cars on display.

REMINDER: The King and Queen of Plop Competition, also known as the Mr. Fall Guy and Miss Fall Gal contests are set for Friday, August 29 at 11 a.m. at the 9^th Street Beach opposite the Music Pier. Contestants are invited to demonstrate their most dramatic falls (in slow motion) to welcome the fall season. Entry is free. Call (609) 525-9300 for information.

Over 150 STREET RODS will be in Ocean City Sept. 5-7. An array of colorful vehicles from throughout the East Coast will be displayed on the Boardwalk and at the Tabernacle Grounds, 6^th and Asbury Ave., during the 40^th Annual Shore Rod Run.

Cars will be parked at the Tabernacle from noon Fri., Sept. 5th till 1 p.m. Sun., Sept.7. There will be a boardwalk display of vehicles on Sat., Sept. 6 from noon till 4 p.m.

On Aug. 29 Ocean City presents its unique King and Queen of Plop Competition, also known as the Miss Fall Gal and Mr. Fall Guy Contest. The event is held at 11 a.m. on the 9^th St. Beach opposite the Music Pier. Contestants are asked to greet the fall season, always a lovely time of year, by falling dramatically (in slow motion) to the sand. Those performing the most dramatic renditions are awarded the King and Queen of Plop Trophies. Runners–up receive ribbons. Entry is free.

Ocean City’s 105^th Baby Parade is set for Thursday, August 14^th starting at 5 p.m. Founded by Philadelphia photo engraver, Leo Bamberger, it is the oldest, continuously run event of its kind in the nation.

The Parade starts at 6^th and the Boardwalk and concludes at 12^th and Boardwalk. It is open to children from infants to 10 years of age. Last minute registrations taken the day of the Parade.

The Parade will feature children in fancy and humorous displays plus floats and bands.There will be an awards ceremony in front of the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace, following the Parade. For information, call (609) 525-9300.                  

Weird Contest Week, the Pamper Scamper and Baby Parade are coming soon. But first a REMINDER that a SAND Sculpting Contest will be held at the 6^th Street Beach starting 9 a.m. on (Aug. 6) and the MISS Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant and Hermit Crab Races are set for 1 p.m. on (Aug. 6) at the 6^th St. Beach. Crab Beauties and Crabathlete racers may register starting noon at the 6^th St. Beach. Entry is free to all contests, prizes are awarded. In the event of rain, events will be held inside the Sports and Civic Center, 6^th and Boardwalk.

Also our annual TWINS CONTEST is set for (Aug.7) inside the Music Pier with registration beginning at 6 p.m., contest starts 6:30 p.m. Contest is for twins of all ages who look most and least alike. Entry is free. Ribbons are awarded.

WEIRD CONTEST WEEK in Ocean City is set for Aug. 11^th to 15^th. The event billed as “Wacky but Not Tacky” features one unusual contest each day in the Music Pier Loggia (porch), Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace starting at 11a.m. Entry in all contests is free.