What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 8/16/17
Congratulations to our new Miss Ocean City, 18-year-old Madison Kennelly, who was crowned Saturday on the Ocean City Music Pier. Another week of pageantry in Ocean City includes the Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant on Wednesday and the Little Miss Ocean City Pageant on Friday.
The original beauty contest for crustaceans moves to the evening this year. In an annual tradition, Ocean City celebrates the beauty of hermit crabs with contestants vying for the coveted Cucumber Rind Cup. All families, kids, businesses and organizations are invited to enter their crustacean in the competition on Wednesday, August 16.
Usually a morning event, the pageant moves to 6 p.m. this year on the beach at Sixth Street. Registration is free and starts at 5:30 p.m. The pageant promotes responsible ownership of hermit crabs and features them displayed in elaborately themed dioramas. The winner gets to travel a flowery runway to take her reign.
“Ocean City is the only place in the world where you’ll see a crustacean beauty pageant,” event founder Mark Soifer said with his usual sense of understatement.
The pageant is followed immediately by the annual Hermit Crab Races with the speediest crustaceans competing for the King of Klutz Plaque. Both events are free to watch or join. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The pageant will include more than 25 girls ages 8 to 11 competing in talent and other categories. This year’s theme is “Beauty and the Beast.” Reigning Little Miss Charlotte Erickson will crown her successor at the conclusion of the pageant. Tickets for the event are $10 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
The Beach Boys return to Ocean City for four performances: 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, and 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22. The iconic band performed sold-out Ocean City shows in 2015 and 2016. Featuring long-time band members Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, the group will perform their feel-good summertime classics. Tickets (starting at $59.50) are still available for the concerts at the Ocean City Music Pier. Visit Ticketmaster.com, stop by the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office or call 1-800-745-3000.
ALSO THIS WEEK
GUTS AND GLORY 5K RUN/WALK (Aug. 20): Participate in a 5-kilometer run/walk to benefit the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America. Early registration is $25 and includes a T-shirt. Day of event is $30. Registration opens at 7 a.m. at the Ocean City Aquatics and Fitness Center and the run starts at 8:30 a.m. and proceeds down Haven Avenue. Visit http://online.ccfa.org/gutsandglory for more information or call 215-396-9100.
CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE WITH THE OCEAN CITY POPS (Aug. 20): This popular show returns to the Ocean City Music Pier in a new production. Artists include aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionist, dancers, jugglers, and strongmen. These amazing artists perform with the Pops, directed by Maestro Bill Scheible. Show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35/$25 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS SUMMER TOUR (Aug. 22): The Philadelphia 76ers Summer Tour stops by the Ocean City Music Pier noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22. The free event will include a T-shirt station, player autographs (76ers have not confirmed which players or alumni will attend), face-painting, merchandise sales and more. Visit www.nba.com/sixers/shoretour for more information.
COMING UP IN AUGUST
WACKY WEDNESDAY (Aug. 23): Use your creativity to shape and sculpt salt water taffy into your very own unique masterpiece. Contest is free. Open to all ages. Start time: 10:30 a.m. at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
ITALIA DAL MARE (Italy by the Ocean) WITH THE OCEAN CITY POPS (Aug. 23): Come celebrate the 25th anniversary season of Bel Canto Lyric Opera of Philadelphia as they return for the first time in nearly two decades under the direction of their co-artistic director Anthony Pirollo, principal cellist of the Ocean City Pops. The evening will be dedicated to Italian favorites in both opera and song in the traditional bel canto style. Guest artists, including members of the Valley Forge Chorale, will share the spotlights, as well as a few surprises! Show begins at 8:00pm at the Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk. Tickets are $20/$15 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
BOARDWALK MERCHANTS FIREWORKS DISPLAY (Aug. 26): A spectacular boardwalk fireworks display can be viewed from Sixth Street to 14th Street on the boardwalk. Fireworks start at 10 p.m.
WEEKLY EVENTS
Starting in July and running through the end of August, Ocean City's boardwalk and downtown will be host to a series of weekly events:
- Funtastic Tuesdays: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on downtown Asbury Avenue. Entertainment, face painters, balloon sculptors and more.
- Mummers Nights: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays on the boardwalk (starting July 11). String bands strut the boards between Sixth Street and 14th Street. Sponsored by: Shirt Shack, Preps, Ocean Treasures, Henry's Fine Jewelry.
- Beach Walks: South end location at 59th Street and Central Avenue (entrance to Corson's Inlet State Park) Tuesdays at 9 a.m., Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. North end location at OC/Longport Bridge parking lot Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m, Wednesdays at 9 a.m. Tickets may be purchased on-site. Adults $1, children 50 cents.
- Farmers & Crafters Market: Ocean City's popular weekly Farmers Market every Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle on the 500 block of Asbury Avenue. Crafters set up on the street adjacent to the Farmers Market.
- Wacky Wednesdays: This year, the traditional "July Jubilee" and "Weird Week" contests will be held weekly on Wednesdays throughout the summer with a different theme each week.The contest is free and open to all ages. Start time is 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. Sponsored by Shriver's Salt Water Taffy.
- Market Days: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays on downtown Asbury Avenue. Entertainment, face painters, balloon sculptors and more.
- Family Nights: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays on the boardwalk. Different bands and entertainers set up between Sixth Street and 14th Street. Sponsored by: Shriver's, Playland's Castaway Cove, Johnson's Popcorn, Gillian's Wonderland Pier.
- Historic Tours: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays. Pick-up at 7th Street and Central Avenue.
