June 2023 OCDC

Downtown Ocean City has everything

end, you likely spot a fighter jet or stunt plane soaring overhead.

a tropical setting, downtown is the place to be.

June is finally here, which means summer is finally here, and Downtown Ocean City is ready for all the weekend warriors and summer vacationers. This month we have a many events that should have tourists and local alike flocking to Downtown OC.

The first weekend in June, Ocean City welcomes the PBR to the inlet parking lot for three days of bull riding, pyrotechnics, and all-around excitement. The following weekend (June 10 through 11) is the OC Airshow, which is an all-ages, family friendly event that is not to missed. Keep your eyes peeled during Air Show Week-

Ocean City does enjoy its classic cars, and on June 11 and June 25 the OC Cruzers will continue their car displays on Somerset Plaza. On display will be a rotating selection of customs, hot rods, muscle cars, and classic autos as well as live music.

Ocean City is the perfect place for family fun — offering great hotels, restaurants, rides, arcades, festivals and sporting events. All that is in addition to our main attraction, our gorgeous, FREE, soft, sandy beach and 2.5-mile Boardwalk. Whether you’re an early riser who enjoys the quiet sunrise over the ocean each morning, or part of the late-night crowd looking for night life in

Don’t forget to grab dinner or a drink at one of our bayside bars and restaurants… the local’s only secret is that the Bayside sunsets are better than the Oceanfront sunrises.

Family-friendly activities abound. After a day of playing on the beach building sandcastles, children will marvel at the bright lights and sounds of the carnival rides that run throughout the afternoon and evening hours. Endless varieties of pizza, ice cream, French fries and other summer treats are available. You’re sure to find the perfect T-shirt or souvenir while visiting the multitude of shops along the boardwalk and

2023 Somerset Plaza Special Events

The OCDC is proud to present the O.C. Cruzers Car Display

On select Sundays on Somerset Plaza, enjoy classic cars on display from the Ocean City Cruzers Car Club and enjoy Live Music.

Located on Somerset Street between the Boardwalk and Baltimore Avenue Events Run from 3:00 to 6:00 PM

Cruzers and Live Performance by Troy Mawyer

Cruzers and Live Performance by Rob Fahey

Cruzers and Live Performance by Ray Marchman

and

Performance by Kevin Brown

Somerset Plaza is a semi-pedestrian street that is closed to all vehicular traffic during these special events. For additional information about these events contact the OCDC at 410-289-7739 or www.ocdc.org.

Downtown Ocean City

June Events

There’s always something going on in Downtown Ocean City. Here are some highlights of what’s happing this June:

Aquarium Feedings

Monday through Saturday

Entire Month of June - 11:30 a.m.

The Ocean City Life Saving Museum welcomes visitors to watch the daily feeding of their aquatic wildlife and learn more about native wildlife and their habitat. Included with paid museum admission. More info at www.ocmuseum.org

PBR Ocean City Seacrets Classic

June 2, 2023 through June 4, 2023

Starts 6 p.m.

Returning for its second year, the PBR Challenger Series will bring professional bull riding back to the OC Inlet parking lot. This ticket event promises pyrotechnics, food, beverages, and bone crushing action. More info at www.pbr.com

OC Air Show

June 10-11

A world class airshow that takes place along the beautiful beaches and boardwalk of Ocean City. This year’s demonstrations include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Red Bull Air Force, Air Force Heritage and Navy Legacy Flights, F-35 Lightning Demo team, and many more. Range of ticketed experiences are available on the shows website. More info at www.ocairshow.com

OC Cruzers Car Display on

Somerset Plaza w/ Troy Mawyer

June 11 – 3 to 6 p.m.

Make your way to Somerset Street (between the boardwalk and Baltimore Ave) and check out a selection of classic cars, hotrods, and customs. Cars will be on display at Somerset Plaza and live music will be provided by Troy Mawyer. More info at www.occruzers.com

JEWELERS

Recreation area downtown getting massive makeover

The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department has formally broke ground on the re-imagined Downtown Recreation Complex located between 3rd and 4th Streets on the bayside of Philadelphia Avenue.

Addressing the crowd at the groundbreaking ceremony, Recreation and Parks Director Susan Petito said, “This reimaging project has been long in the works I am grateful to the mayor and council, the Ocean City Development Corporation, and all of the dedicated town staff and community members who have supported the effort, recog-

nized its importance, and helped it become a reality.”

Major improvements to the park include new basketball courts, new tennis/pickleball courts, the addition of public restrooms. There will also be an updated playground, walking paths, and landscaped open space. The Ocean Bowl Skate Park, a favorite and of locals and tourists alike, is also set to receive upgrades.

The Ocean City Development Corporation is very excited for the project to start. OCDC Executive Director Zach Continued to Page 8

Rendering of the updated Downtown Recreation Center

Boardwalk, 401 S. Atlantic Ave, next to Thrashers 30th St, in the Jolly Roger’s Parking Lot

SOUVENIRS AS MEMORABLE AS THE NAME.

All of our candies are handcrafted with the finest ingredients. Wockenfuss is an Ocean City tradition everyone loves – especially your friends and family at home. Because they can’t wait for you to bring them back a box of our homemade fudge and taffy just for them.

So visit WOCKENFUSS for the candy that gets a big fuss.

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side streets in Downtown.

If your tastes are more of the gourmet variety, we have that covered too. Visit one of the many sit-down restaurants, offering many variations of seafood, steak, pasta and more. Don’t go home without sampling our famous Maryland blue crabs, steaming hot, coated with Old Bay, or a delicious crab cake prepared the Eastern Shore way.

The re-designed Boardwalk Trams are now operating. You can board the Tram anywhere along the Boardwalk and take an enjoyable ride from the inlet to 27th Street, stopping anywhere along the way. Stop by the Boardwalk Info Cottage for a full tram schedule.

Art and history abound in downtown. The Ocean City Lifesaving Station Museum at the south end of the Boardwalk, open every day, offers countless stories, of how the early residents of Ocean City built this amazing place.

Taking a self-guided walking tour is a great way to enjoy Downtown and learn about its history. The tour highlights many of the historic buildings in Downtown. You may also enjoy the “Utility Box Art Tour, “featuring utility boxes that have been transformed into works of art by local artists.

Both Walking Tours and Utility Box Tour brochures are available at the Downtown Information Booth on the Boardwalk near Caroline Street or can

be downloaded from the Ocean City Development Corporation Website, www.ocdc.org.

Looking for water sport or fishing? Head on over to the bayside! Boat and personal watercraft rentals, parasailing, fishing trips, after dinner cruises, Assateague Island nature tours and even a pirate ship are all available. Fishing from the Inlet and public piers is another great option.

We thank you for making Downtown Ocean City your vacation destination. The fun doesn’t stop with the changing of the seasons, so if you enjoy your June visit, be sure to plan a trip back in the fall or winter for all of our off-season festivals and activities.

Downtown has something for all Downtown park gets big upgrade

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Bankert stated, “Our group has long supported the Downtown Rec Complex. A project like this makes our downtown a better place to both live and visit.” The OCDC hopes the updated park will be able to host future downtown events and potentially display public art.

Once completed, the public will again be able to enjoy some of the best bayside sunsets the Ocean City has to offer.

BOARDWALK & 1ST ST. | WEST OCEAN CITY WHITE MARLIN MALL

Caroline Street Wicomico Street

South Division Street

B’walk Information Cottage welcomes your questions

Located directly on the Boardwalk between North Division and Caroline Street, the Ocean City Information Cottage is an inviting space where visitors can find everything they need to know about Ocean City.

Highly trained volunteers provide one-on-one personalized visitor information services. This year, the new roof and signage welcomes visitors as they stroll the Boardwalk exploring all the great things Ocean City has to offer.

Flowerpots added by the OC Beautification Committee provide charming pop of color.

The friendly staff members greet visitors, answer questions, offer directions and distribute maps, brochures, event listings, coupons and more. The team members can provide a wealth of information on the history of Ocean City, what to see, where to stay and dine, and how to get there, including public transContinued to Page 10

Early Season Visitors in front of the freshly upgraded Boardwalk Informa<on CoWage.

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Sunset Park Party Nights series lists season lineup

The OCDC and the Town of Ocean City are pleased to continue their collaboration in producing the free and open to the public concert series.

The concerts take place on Thursday evenings throughout July and August, starting at 7 p.m.

Sunset Park, Downtown OC’s

beautiful park on the bay, will host the 9 night series, which acts ranging from Country to Classic Rock to Jam Band.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. The Ocean City Recreation Boosters will be onsite to sell beverages.

Boardwalk cottage has answers

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portation options.

An updated 2023 Boardwalk Directory, listing all Boardwalk business is available for viewing, or by scanning a QR code, visitors can take that information with them on their phone so as not to miss anything as they make the 2.5 mile journey from the inlet to 27th Street.

The cottage is a service of Ocean City

Development Corporation and the Town of Ocean City.

Over 23,000 visitors stopped by last summer. It is staffed 7 days a week from noon to 8 p.m. and soon will have a digital screen available to keep visitors even better informed and advised of the latest OC information.

A visit to the Information Cottage will give visitors one more thing to smile about.

Property owners can get aid to help with improvements

The Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) is a local non-profit dedicated to the continual revitalization of Downtown Ocean City Maryland.

The OCDC has grants available for Downtown property owners looking to make improvements to their properties. Proud of the longstanding programs that have helped improve the look and livability of Downtown Ocean City, OCDC Executive Director

Zach Bankert boasted, “It’s hard to walk down any street in Downtown Ocean City without seeing a building the OCDC has helped to improve.”

The OCDC’s Façade Program helps property owners improve the exterior of their buildings. The grant will help cover the costs of new siding, decking, railings, and other exterior improvements. To date, the OCDC’s Façade program has helped

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The OCDC offices are located in the Tarry A Guest House at 108 Dorchester St. Ocean City, MD 21842)

OCDC presents awards at annual meeting

Earlier this year the Ocean City Development Corporation held its annual meeting at Shenanigan’s Irish Pub and Grille located on the corner of 4th Street and the Boardwalk.

OCDC members, governments officials, and other local community leaders were invited to celebrate the organizations successes over the past year.

OCDC President Kevin Gibbs gave his remarks on the progress made by the organization over the past 12 months and OCDC Treasurer Stephanie Meehan announced the newest OCDC Board Member, Scott Savage of Trimper Rides.

OCDC Executive Director, Zach Bankert, announced the 2023 Awards.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients:

Façade Improvement Projects Award:

The Kendall Family

The Andreano Family Phoenix Property Investment, LLC

John Barrett / Bike World

Business Assistance Program Awards:

Edward Braude / The Tree House

The Evans Family / Quickie MiniDonuts & Coffee

Public Art Award:

Aubrey Sizemore of the Art League of Ocean City

Volunteer Awards:

Dan and Lisa Stevens

David and Carol Susen

Jackie Ball

Partner Award:

Trimper Rides / Christmas Carnival

Board of Directors Honors:

Danny Robinson

Kevin Gibbs

Legacy Award:

Glenn Irwin

Kevin Gibbs, Dan Stevens, Lisa Stevens, and Zach Bankert- OCDC Volunteer Award)

Executive Director Zach Bankert, Board Member Spiro Buas, New Board Member ScoW Savage, Secretary Stephanie Meehan, Board Member Nancy Bradford, President Kevin Gibbs, and Vice President Joe Wilson- Welcoming the newest board member.)

Seafood House!

OCDC grants can also help with ‘green’ projects

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renovate over 270 buildings in Downtown OC.

The OCDC’s Green Building Initiatives Program has helped improve the energy efficiency of over 100 buildings to date. The program focuses on updates such as Energy Star-rated windows and doors, insulation, and alternative energy production.

Don’t forget fences and roofs. The OCDC has programs to help replace a leaky roof and install new streetside fencing.

Property owners interested in applying for grants are encouraged to visit the OCDC’s website at www.OCDC.org or call the office at 410-289-7739.

108 Dorchester Street Ocean City, Maryland 21842 410-289-739 inquire@ocdc.org

Families enjoying Ocean City’s Famous Boardwalk.