Now is the time to get your First Night Admission buttons! New Year’s Eve is just a few weeks away! Don’t miss out on this outstanding evening of entertainment from 4 p.m. until midnight, capped by a colorful fireworks display. It’s the best entertainment buy at the Jersey Shore for just $15 per person, children two years and younger are free.
There have been years that First Night has sold out! So buy your admission buttons now. Don’t take a chance on being disappointed. Admission buttons are available for just $15 on line at www.firstnightocnj.com , can be ordered by credit card by calling (609) 399-1412 and are available at Stainton’s Square, 8th and Asbury Ave., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
The first First Night began 22 years ago and attracted 1,000 visitors. The event grew rapidly over the years and now is capped at 10,000 visitors. The program is geared to entertain all ages with a special emphasis on families.
Children will be delighted with events at the football field, 6th St. Off Boardwalk and adjacent Sports and Civic Center including the world’s tallest snowman, a 30 ft. tall bouncy, the Dixie Dragonfly Swing Ride, fun for all ages 5 and up, Trackless Train Ride, the Peanut Elephant Ride and pony rides from 5-9 p.m.
The Sports and Civic Center will feature a 4 Lane Horse Derby Inflatable, Polar Extreme Obstacle Course, Jungle World Play Center and Circus Train Adventure. There will be a Dinosaur Zoo at the Ocean City High School featuring Museum Quality life size Dinosaur fossils and other prehistoric items to see and touch.
As a special feature, there will be an 80x40ft ice skating rink located in the 5th St. Parking Lot. It is the largest ice rink south of Rockefeller Center. It accommodates up to 100 skaters at a time. Skates are supplied or your can bring your own. Note: Wonderland Pier will be closed for construction this year.
Among the First Night headliners will be the Original Blue Notes and the Trammps scheduled for the Music Pier. Entertainment includes the Broadway hit, Smokey Joe’s Café, Children’s Show, Rapunzel, Magician Chad Juros, Juggler Chris Ivey, the Ocean City Pops Orchestra, The Grease Band, the Jungle John Animal Show, Norristones Doo Wop performers, Abbott and Costello performers, Big Band Dancing, Bubba Fan Gospel Group, Lucky Guess Game Show, the Mainstage Singers, Dan Chain, Mentalist, Allo Magic and Fun, The Paisley Pickles, telescope observation of the skies at the High School Planetarium, the Veggie Tales and Disney Pixar movie show hourly at the Moorlyn Theater from 6 to 11 p.m. and more. Access www.firstnightocnj.com for complete schedule and information.
The Ocean City Restaurant Assn. will again offer “A Taste of the Jersey Shore,” with hourly seating from 4-8 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria. For reservations and menu, access www.EatInOCNJ.com.
First Night will also preview Fred and Susan Miller’s latest Ocean City history book 5 p.m. in the Community Room of the Library, 17th and Simpson Ave. The Book will feature “Ocean City’s Historic Hotels.” It will be released by Arcadia Publishing and be available May 24, 2014. This is the sixth history book about Ocean City the Millers have written for Arcadia.
First Night will be followed by First Day at the Beach featuring a first dip in the Ocean at 2 p.m., preceded by a 5K run at 1p.m. beginning at the Music Pier on the Boardwalk. Plus there will be First Day Shopping Bargains all day at Downtown Asbury Ave. For information, call (609) 525-9300.
(Dec. 13-15) Michael Hartman’s Ocean City Theatre Co. presents another holiday spectacular: Lights, Camera, Christmas, a movie themed production, “Come Rock Around the Christmas Tree.” It features professional singers and dancers celebrating the season with a revue of songs from favorite holiday/winter movies. Shows are scheduled for the Music Pier, Dec. 13 at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 14 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 Reserved, $15 for Children under 12. Call (609) 525-9300 or visit www.ocnj.us/box office.
(Dec. 14) A live Nativity Scene on the Tabernacle grounds, 5th and Wesley Ave., 2 p.m. PLUS A traditional Christmas Concert with the Angelus Choir, Tapestry Strings, tenor Cody Austin at 4 p.m. insideTabernacle. Admission is free. Call (609) 399-1915 or access www.OCTabernacle.org.
(Dec. 21) A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol, Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All tickets $10. Call (609) 525-9300 or visit www.ocnj.us/boxoffice. Everyone’s classic holiday tale gets the fractured fairy-tale treatment. This fun-filled adaption stays true to the warmth and heart of the classic, featuring 3rd to 8th graders of the Ocean City Theatre Company.
Note: Every Saturday and Sunday through Christmas there are free carriage rides, 9th and Asbury Ave., noon till 3 p.m. and photos with Santa in a lifeboat at the Music Pier, noon to 3 p.m. Rides are free. Photos are $10. Breakfast With Santa is available at a different restaurant each week, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call (609) 391-0240 for schedule.
Note: You can help people in the Philippines devastated by the killer Typhoon Yolanda by sending a donation to OCNJ C.A.R.E, PO Box 807, Ocean City, N.J. 08226. Specify it is for Philippine Relief.
Note: Beach Tags, those perfect stocking stuffers, are now on sale at the Aquatic and Fitness Center, 1735 Simpson Ave.; the Roy Gillian Welcome Center, Rt. 52 Causeway; Henry S. Knight Building 115 12th St. and City Hall, 861 Asbury Ave. for just $20.
SWEET HOLIDAY EVENTS: (Dec. 13) The Annual Ocean City High School Cookie Walk is set for Fri., Dec. 13 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the High School Cafeteria, 501 Atlantic Ave. Come buy cookies by the pound. All proceeds benefit Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
SWEET MUSIC: (Dec. 13) Ocean City High School’s Winter Choir Concert will be held starting 7:30 p.m. at the Hughes Performing Arts Center, 501 Atlantic Ave. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for Students and Seniors. Public invited.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: (Dec. 15) The American Legion Post 524 will provide Breakfast with Santa, 9-11:30 a.m. at American Legion Post 524, 3304 Bay Ave., All You Can Eat Pancakes, Eggs, Sausage, Potatoes, juice, milk and Coffee. $6, children under 12 free.
ALL ARE WELCOME to enjoy a free Christmas Buffet Dinner on December 25th at St. Peter’s Methodist Church, 8th and Central Ave. in Ocean City from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (take outs available). Free Parking. Transportation provided. Handicap Access. Call (609) 398-8781.
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