Beach Patrol to go on early for ‘Daycation’

Parks & Tourism, will be on the beach north of the pier, the Boardwalk from the pier to Caroline Street, and on the Caroline Street Stage and surrounding beach area.

According to a staff report, the event is a parade of teams and opening ceremonies for the three-week 14U leg of the USSSA Eastern World Series.

Parade staging will begin at 3 p.m. on the beach, north of the pier. At 3:40 p.m., the teams will parade across the tram lane and onto the Boardwalk heading north, and continue to Caroline Street, where they will again cross the tram lane to access the stage. At 4:30 p.m., dignitaries will welcome the teams to the world series. Low-impact beach games will be available for participant and spectator play from 5-5:30 p.m.

The organizer asked for use of the Caroline Street Stage, two blocks of beach, parade staging on the beach north of the pier, use of city electricity at the stage, lifeguard coverage during the event, trash cans, equipment unloading at the stage, and parking spaces.

Staff contended in the report that it is important that the event does not interfere with the normal patrolling of the beach for safety. The organizer was also asked to establish east/west lanes within the event footprint so Beach Patrol members can move from the back of the beach to the water’s edge, and take responsibility to keep the areas open and ensure spectators do not set up in them.

Other details, such as ensuring the event does not interfere with normal tram operations, were also included in the staff report.

All private event, and asset and support fees were waived for the event, as it is part of a youth sports event the town supports through a partnership with Wicomico and Worcester counties as part of the MidAtlantic Amateur Sports Alliance agreement.

Jesus at the Beach Music and ministry are coming together once again for three nights in late July and early August on the beach at Caroline Street Stage downtown.

According to a staff report, the annual Jesus at the Beach festival is tentatively set for 7-10 p.m. nightly, July 31-Aug. 2. The organizer also requested date holds for July 29-31, 2024, and July 28-30, 2025.

The evening, family-oriented events, complete with worship music, drama, art and speeches, will run in conjunction with daily events at the Ocean City convention center.

The organizer requested use of the Caroline Street Stage, two stage wings, trash cans, three stage platforms, six parking spaces, and permission to sell event-related merchandise.

Boardwalk patrol officers agreed to make periodic checks while the activities are going on, and Beach Patrol staff called it “a great event that reinforces our family atmosphere.” Public works staff also agreed to provide the requested assets.

The organizer will pay the city $1,078.50 in private event, and asset and support fees.

Daycation 5

With a tweak to ensure Beach Patrol staff will be on duty for the duration of the event, council members approved a “daycation getaway” for Aug. 12 on the beach south of the pier. Daycation 5 is set to take place from 9 a.m.-noon and consist of about 200 people, ranging in age from 35 to 65 years, traveling from Fort Washington to enjoy a day in Ocean City.

According to a staff report, the event will consist of a DJ on the beach at the inlet playing music, which was the primary reason for the council approval, as well as canopy tents, a table, PA system, coolers and beach chairs. After noon, the group is set to head to Seacrets until 2:30 p.m., travel to the Old Mill Crab House in Delmar, and leave for home at 6:30 p.m.

The staff report said the organizer has held the event for several years but did not add music until 2019. He took a hiatus the past two years because of covid and plans to return this year.

The organizer will have a generator to power the PA system, and assured members of the fire department that he will not store the gasoline tank or fill the generator on the beach.

Mayor Rick Meehan expressed a concern during Monday’s meeting about the event beginning at 9 a.m., which is an hour before surf rescue technicians take the stands each day throughout the summer. City Manager Terry McGean pointed out that the only reason they needed council approval to be on the beach was because of the DJ, thus they could still gather in the area whether Beach Patrol is on duty or not.

McGean agreed, upon request from council members, to check on whether Beach Patrol officials can have staff on duty a little earlier the day of the event.

The organizer was also informed that August typically brings larger, more dangerous surf and rip currents and to plan accordingly.

The town charged the organizer a total $350 in private event fees to host the beach event.