OC City Council approves upcoming events

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(June 9, 2023) From surfing and beach swim games, to emergency equipment displays and an annual religious celebration, an array of events were added to Ocean City’s summer calendar this week.

At a meeting Monday, council members approved the requests — with a few minor adjustments – and the details are as follows:

OC Surf Fest

A longtime surf event is set to return June 17 to Ocean City between 36th and 37th streets.

According to a staff report, members of the OC Surf Cub have hosted OC Surf Fest the third weekend in June for the past 22 years. The organizers requested approval to hold the amateur surf contest from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. on June 17, provided another Eastern Surfing Association event is moved.

The organizer requested permission to sell event-related merchandise inside the footprint, use vehicles on the beach, set up portable restrooms at the end of 37th Street, have access to two parking spaces, and use a PA system and a judge’s stand.

Beach Patrol members said any vehicles on the beach must exit by 8 a.m.

and not return until 7 p.m., or remain idle in the footprint between those times. They also set regulations for surfing in case of an emergency, stated that the event cannot interferer with normal patrolling of the beach, and requested help from the organizer to separate swimmers and surfers and make boundaries, among several other rules.

The staff report said public works staff members will provide requested assets and support, and on-duty police officers will monitor for safety or parking concerns in the area during the event.

The organizer will pay the city 676.50 in private event, and asset and support fees.

Equipment displays

Emergency equipment will be on display along 37th Street on June 19 for this year’s firemen’s convention.

The DPC Emergency Equipment Hospitality Event is set from 5-8 p.m. between the alley and dune line along the midtown Street.

A staff report said organizers with DPC Emergency Equipment requested closure of the area to traffic, and public works staff agreed to post “No Parking” signs from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Fire department staff said, however, that only the parking areas can be closed off to display fire apparatus, as the driving lanes need to remain open for emergency access.

The staff report said the event is sponsored by a local hotel and restaurant to benefit the 127th Maryland State Firemen’s Association convention, which runs June 20-25.

The organizer will pay the town $455 is private event, and asset and support fees.

Ocean Games

On July 15, swimmers will come to Ocean City to participate in the Ocean Games/Swim OC event on the beach at 146th and Caroline streets.

Organizers from Swim Ocean City requested approval of the event, which is set from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will consist of a solo 9-mile swim, a solo 3mile swim and a three-person, 9-mile relay swim.

A staff report said the swim direction will depend on the ocean current, with the 9-mile start/finish points at Caroline and 146th streets; the 9-mile relay start/finish points at Caroline, 146th and 94th streets; and the 3-mile start/finish points at 94th and 146th streets.

The organizer requested some city support, including vehicular access to the beach, use of parking spaces, and permission to erect an inflatable arch at the finish line.

The staff report said members of the Beach Patrol will assist with safety, and public works staff will post parking spaces at the requested locations. The organizer is also tasked with monitoring the participants to ensure they can compete in the races, clear the beach in case of an emergency, and connect with nearby businesses to ensure the event will not negatively affect them.

The organizer also asked to allow a professional skydive team to land on the beach at Caroline Street carrying the American Flag while the National Anthem plays during the event’s opening ceremony. Staff members said they had no issues with the request, but pointed out that if the president is at his beach house in Delaware during that time then Ocean City will be a no-fly zone and skydivers will not be able to perform.

The organizer will pay the city $324.50 in private event, and asset and support fees.

USSSA Opening Ceremony

The United States Specialty Sport Association, or USSSA, Eastern National Opening Ceremony is tentatively set for 3-5 p.m., July 18.

The event, hosted by members of the Wicomico County Recreation,