What's Happening in Ocean City, NJ 7/26/17
Genevieve Goings and Constantine “DC” Abramson, the stars of Disney Junior’s “Choo Choo Soul,” will lead the 108th annual Ocean City Baby Parade at 5 p.m. August 10, 2017.
Registration is open to anybody who wants to participate in the parade, which features children ages 10 and under. For an online entry form and more information, visit ocnj.us/babyparade. Participants also can sign up at the Welcome Center on the ground floor of City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue. Entry fee is $5 per child, and the registration deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 8.
For more than a century, families have dressed their young children and adorned strollers, wagons and small floats in comical and fancy themes as part of the annual tradition.
Before serving as grand marshals in the parade, Choo Choo Soul will perform a show at the Ocean City Music Pier at 10:30 a.m. on the same day. Ticket prices are $20 orchestra and $18 solarium and are on sale now at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, at 609-399-6111 or in-person at the Music Pier Box Office and city welcome centers.
Goings and Abramson are entering their 11th year of entertaining pre-schoolers and parents worldwide. Born from the mind of a Silicon Valley video game developer, Choo Choo Soul began as a hip-hop/soul children’s album of music that “won’t drive parents crazy.” The album caught fire and the brand was acquired by Disney and developed into a live-action television feature in 2006 that encouraged young viewers to get up and dance to their funky, urban sound. Choo Choo Soul began touring the country in 2007 and has performed for thousands of children in over 100 cities across the globe.
The parade route is from Sixth Street to 12th Street on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Bands, special guests, cars and dignitaries will travel to 14th Street. The reviewing stand will be at the Ocean City Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace.
Any bands or performing groups interested in joining the parade line up should contact Mike Hartman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are also in need of volunteers to serve as balloon handlers for our brand new Martin Z. Mollusk and “Sandels” helium balloons.
COMING UP THIS WEEK
OCBP WOMEN’S LIFEGUARD INVITATIONAL RACES (July 26): Women representing the 15 beach patrols on the South Jersey coast will be compete in this annual invitational race. Races start at 6:15 p.m. This year’s format will include short spectator-friendly races. Location will be 34th Street Beach. For more information, call 609-525-9200.
EDDIE BRUCE CELEBRATES THE LATIN CASINO WITH THE OCEAN CITY POPS (July 26): The all-star entertainer Eddie Bruce joins the Pops to pay tribute to the golden age of nightclubs in the Philly/Jersey region. The list of stars who performed at the Latin Casino includes Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joan Rivers, Frank Sinatra and countless others. Show starts at 8 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $20/$15 and can be purchased online at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, at 609-399-6111 or in-person at the Music Pier Box Office and city welcome centers.
SUMMER BOOK SALE (July 29): Held in the Ocean City Free Public Library Atrium, 1735 Simpson Ave. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hardbacks, paperbacks and audio items available. Sponsored by the Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library.
CARS AND COFFEE (July 29): A unique event on Saturday morning in Ocean City will let visitors enjoy two staples of American life: cars and coffee. Porsches, Mercedes and other high-end cars will be on display on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle, and Ready’s Coffee Shop will provide refreshments. The event takes place 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 29, with a rain date Aug. 5.
JULIE BUDD REMEMBERING MR. SINATRA WITH THE OCEAN CITY POPS (July 30): Julie performs classic songs with the Pops as tribute to the legendary Frank Sinatra -- who personally invited her to appear with him on numerous occasions at Caesar’s Palace since she was 16 years old. Show starts at 8 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Tickets are $25/$20 and can be purchased online at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, at 609-399-6111 or in-person at the Music Pier Box Office and city welcome centers.
SHAWN COLVIN AND JOAN OSBORNE (July 31): Shawn Colvin (“Sonny Came Home,” “I Don’t Know Why”) has proven herself as one of the foremost names in folk and Americana music, earning multiple Grammy awards for her critically acclaimed songwriting. Joined by very special guest Joan Osborne (“One Of Us”), this makes for an unforgettable night of stellar musicianship. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets start at $48. For tickets, please visit Ticketmaster or call 1-800-745-3000.
STINKY KIDS THE MUSICAL (Aug. 1): Ocean City Theatre Company presents a show about a girl wholoves making everyone happy. But Britt, who never gets in trouble, is in a sticky situation: She woke up with an impossibly epic wad of gum stuck in her hair. Show time: 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door and can be purchased online at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, at 609-399-6111 or in-person at the Music Pier Box Office and city welcome centers.
MORE AUGUST EVENTS
WACKY WEDNESDAY (Aug. 2): Participants will receive a brown paper “mystery bag” filled with random supplies. Your mission: create an object, sculpture or unique work of art using everything in the bag. Contest is free. Limited to 150 participants. Open to all ages. Start time: 10:30 a.m. at the Music Pier. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
TWINS CONTEST (Aug. 2): Prizes for those who look the most and least alike. Registration is free and begins at 5:30 p.m. Contest begins at 6 p.m. in front of the Music Pier. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
SAND SCULPTING CONTEST (Aug. 3): Registration is free and begins at 9 a.m. at the Sixth Street Beach. Judging takes place by 11 a.m. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
OCEAN CITY FISHING CLUB OPEN HOUSE (Aug. 3): A chance to walk out onto the 14th Street Pier at 14th and Boardwalk. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 609-398-0534.
55th ANNUAL BOARDWALK ART SHOW (Aug. 4 to 6): Leading artists from throughout the East Coast exhibit and sell their work. Traditionally an ideal place to buy fine artwork at reasonable prices. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 609-525-9310 or 609-399-7628.
- Character Nights: 6 p.m. Sundays on the boardwalk (ends Aug. 6). Mascots for Ocean City Boardwalk businesses will sign autographs at the Music Pier. Sponsored by Manco & Manco Pizza, Surf Mall and Jilly's.
- 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 7thStreet and Central Avenue.
