After a long winter and chilly spring, city officials will finally turn a ceremonial wooden key to “unlock the ocean” for the season at noon Friday, May 26. The free public event provides an early start to Memorial Day Weekend and welcomes a long-awaited summer. It takes place on the beach between the Ocean City Music Pier and Ninth Street.

With the ocean officially open, a fully-clothed entourage will then march into the chilly Atlantic Ocean to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Business Persons Plunge. The Ocean City High School band will play “Pomp and Circumstance” and a banner plane will fly by as local business owners and employees take the first swim of the summer.

The Business Persons Plunge has grown in popularity since it first started in 2004, and anybody is invited to participate. It’s a chance to get some exposure for your business or organization or just to start Memorial Day Weekend with a splash. Participants are asked to muster on the beach at 11:30 a.m. for instructions from long-time event organizer and promoter John Walton.

The Ocean City Beach Patrol celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, and members and alumni will be on hand to share information about the history of the patrol. Rescue craft representing different eras of the OCBP will be on display.

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3 Days Until Memorial Day! Thank you, Ashley Steever, for sharing this memory with us!

Use #2023ocnj or email info@oceancitychamber.com with your favorite OCNJ photo for a chance to have it used in the countdown! ⁠
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#ocnjvacation #americasgreatestfamilyresort #ocnj #oceancitynj #oceancityvacation #oceancitynjvacation #oceancitynjvacation #yourmemoriesstarthere #2023ocnj #memorialday2023 #beachlife #boardwalk

📷️: Ashley Steever

4 Days Until Memorial Day! Are you ready for your first dip of the season?!?

Use #2023ocnj or email info@oceancitychamber.com with your favorite OCNJ photo for a chance to have it used in the countdown! ⁠
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#ocnjvacation #americasgreatestfamilyresort #ocnj #oceancitynj #oceancityvacation #oceancitynjvacation #oceancitynjvacation #yourmemoriesstarthere #2023ocnj #memorialday2023

📷️: Greyson Merola