June 2024 OCDC

Downtown Ocean City: Geared up for the 2024 season

Summer doesn’t officially start in the Northern Hemisphere until the solstice on June 20, but Ocean City unofficially recognizes the start of summer on Memorial Day holiday.

You can tell this by the fact that parking m ters run seven days a week starting Memorial Day Weekend.

June will naturally bring the “June Bugs” and you won’t be able to miss the carloads full of recent high school grads who piled in their buddy’s car and headed to the beach. Most schools have their last day of the year in early/mid June, so we’ll see the shift from families visiting for the

weekend (when the forecast looks nice) to spending a full week in Ocean City (booked months in advance).

Beach soccer and volleyball tournaments start to become a regular occurrence in the sand along the Boardwalk. The weather is consistently warmer, the water becomes swimmable, and for many visitors June is the best time of the year to

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Discover Downtown Ocean City

Beautification Com. looking for ‘Beauty Spot’ nominees

The Ocean City Beautification Committee was first established in the early ’70s, as one of the city’s premier volunteer organizations. Its members continue, along with help from OC Public Works, to embellish many areas throughout the town year around.

forts to include building and tree wrap lights at City Hall. Funds for the beautification projects are raised through the “Reflections of Life” Program. Mounted inside the lobby entrance of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.

The Partnership in Bloom program and Beauty Spot Awards encourage business and residents to produce gorgeous arrangements of summer annuals. Together with various business throughout town, Partnership in Bloom places beautifully planted pots at various locations, with the goal of bring beauty to Ocean City residents and visitors in unexpected places. For more information or to participate in the Partnerships in Bloom program, contact Mary Ann Manganello at 703-731-6515.

Each year the Ocean City Beautification Committee searches for properties that are attractive, wellmaintained and pleasing to the eye. Winners receive an award plaque from the mayor and City Council. Judging is based on creative landscaping or containers. Even those with little or no lawn can be judged on imaginatively use containers, planters, window boxes, hanging baskets, etc.

Efforts to disguise unattractive areas such as Dumpsters or service entrances could also be recognized. Categories include both business and residential and nominations may be made by anyone.

To nominate a property, call Donna Greenwood, chairperson of the Beautification Committee, at 410289-7060 or email OCBeautification@hotmail.com. Please remember to include the name of owner and address of property being nominated.

In recent years, the Beautification Committee has also expanded its ef-

The Reflections of Life Tree provides a means of preserving important events and interests in the lives of individuals, their loved ones and businesses by placing a gift of a bronze, silver or gold leaf or steppingstone on the “Reflections of Life Tree.”

For more information or to purchase a personalized leaf or steppingstone, contact Elizabeth Dare at 443-235-1160 liz1650@msn.com. All items are half-price through, Father’s Day, June 16.

The Reflections of Life program has funded such projects as the custom water feature outside the entrance to the convention center, the Donna Abbott Memorial Garden and bayside memory garden at the convention center, and the lighted trees at City Hall.

For 40 years, the Beautification Committee has celebrated Arbor Day with a tree-planting and outdoor ceremony, first at Northside Park and, in recent years ,at Ocean City Elementary School with students helping to plant a tree.

In addition to the tree-planting, students at OCES perform short skits, poems and songs. Tree City USA and MD P.L.A.N.T. Community Awards are presented to the mayor and students are presented with celebratory gift bags. For more information about Arbor Day events, please contact Donna Greenwood at 410-289-7060. Every year the Beautification Committee provides décor and manpower to decorate City Hall inside

The Reflections of Life Tree at the Convention Center.

June activities calendar packed with events

visit Ocean City.

Downtown Ocean City had a packed calendar of events in May, with headline events such as Springfest, Cruisers and Jeep Week. While many visitors in June are perfectly content to spend a week on the beach, there are some nice events coming to Downtown OC this June.

The first weekend of the month kicks off with bucking bulls in the inlet parking lot for the PBR’s Ocean City Seacret’s Classic. Courage will be on display as the professional bull riders hold on for dear life (and Challenger Series points).

If bull riding isn’t enough excitement or potential danger for you, the RWO presents the Ocean City Gran Prix (June 7th-9th). Power boat will be racing in the open ocean in the waters along the Ocean City Boardwalk. The races over the weekend will be visible from the beach and exclusive VIP packages are also available. The weekend’s races will be part of the APBA National Series with the racers competing for points toward the National Championship Title. Where else, other than Ocean City, can you imagine eating a bucket of fresh boardwalk fries and building a sand castle, while watching world class speedboats race by on the ocean?

One major change to the annual summer schedule is the OC Air Show,

which was moved from June to August for the 2024 season. While we’ll have to wait a few more months for the acrobatic airplanes, Downtown OC has lots of other events in June to take of advantage of, such as the Firemen’s Parade taking place on Baltimore Ave or the OC Cruzers car shows on Somerset Plaza. Check out our events calendar (later in this edition of the Discover Downtown) for more details on these events. June is also the perfect time to take a tour downtown. Local companies offer walking tours highlighting topics such as the haunted sights of Downtown OC, local shipwrecks and maritime history, and culinary experiences.

If you miss one of June’s special events, don’t worry. As an accredited Main Street Maryland community, Downtown Ocean City has a lot to offer. Where to start? Well, the beach, naturally. Ocean City has miles of clean and well maintained beaches, perfect for taking a stroll, sunbathing, or boogey boarding. Unlike some other communities, our beach is always free. Did you know Ocean City has a beach bonfire program? Permits are required for bonfires; see all the rules and requirement for this unique, family friendly experience at ocbonfires.com.

Had enough of the beach? Don’t forget our world class Boardwalk. It’s nearly 3 miles long and packed with

rides, arcades, museums, stores, bars and restaurants. Highlights include the Life-Saving Station Museum, Jolly Rogers rides at the pier and Trimper Rides at the inlet, local surf shops, and our many arcades (yes, games are more fun if they aren’t on your phone).

Check out the Boardwalk Info Cottage (between North Division and Caroline Streets) for more info and local recommendations, and don’t forget you can always ride the boardwalk tram if your feet get tired.

Hungry after all that sand and sun? A food tour of Ocean City has everything from iconic Boardwalk munchies, such as caramel corn, saltwater taffy, and pizza to high-end seafood, usually accompanied by an equally excellent waterfront view.

Looking for a drink? Downtown Ocean City has everything from the local’s favorite watering holes (head to Wicomico Street) to bayside dock bars, where the drinks are only overshadowed by the stunning sunsets. Many of our bars and restaurants have a lively entertainment schedule.

Still have some energy? Downtown Ocean City has tons of actives to get your blood pumping. Head to the Bayside for Jet Ski rentals or book a tour on an ocean-going powerboat.

The recently renovated Downtown recreation complex (located on 3rd

Street or 4th Street, depending on who you ask…), houses the country’s oldest municipal skate park, the Ocean Bowl Skate Park. Book a charter fishing boat and head out for the day to catch a tuna or maybe even a marlin. We have multiple bicycle rental business and we encourage you to rent bike and explore Downtown.

If you’ve arrived in Downtown Ocean City for the first time, welcome, and we hope you enjoy your stay. If it is your first, it won’t be your last. And if you missed one of June’s events, don’t worry we have a full schedule of fireworks, air shows, and music festivals coming up. The Summer has just begun.

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and out for the holidays with hundreds of tree, wreaths and candles. In 2020 the OCBC facilitated the wrapping of the large trees on the front and side of the building with thousands of tiny white light that are now lit dusk to dawn year around.

More information at oceancitymd.gov/ oc/city-hall/mayor-andcity-council/beautification-committee/.

Downtown Events June 2024

May 31- June 2

PBR Ocean City Seacrets Classic

Experience the electrifying adrenaline rush of PBR! This is your chance to witness talented bull riders going head-to-head with powerful bucking bulls in this must-see competition. More info at pbr.com

June 5 and 19

Stranded at Sea OC Bay Hopper Program

with events throughout town from Friday through Sunday. More info at raceworldoffshore.com

June 9

OC Cruzers on Somerset Plaza

Kick off the summer with its first of 8 classic car shows on Somerset Plaza in Downtown OC. These shows are family-friendly and free to the public. Stroll Somerset Plaza and check out an array of classics, hot rods, and custom cars. Shows take place from 3-6 p.m. and the opening show will have live music from Classic Vibe.

June 19

Firemen’s Parade

Step back in time and embark on a riveting maritime experience as Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum professionals share true accounts of shipwrecks and rescues. Uncover the gripping details of three 1880 shipwrecks off Ocean City and Assateague’s coast. Passengers will get an up-close look at several authentic maritime artifacts from the Museum’s collection. More info at ocbayhopper.com

June 7-9

RWO Ocean City Grand Prix Race World Offshore is bringing powerboat racing back to OC with the Ocean City Grand Prix, an American Power Boat Association Nation Series Race. These high-speed power boats will be racing offshore along the Ocean City beach and Boardwalk, with points from the weekend’s races going towards the National Championship Title. Races will take place Saturday and Sunday

The Maryland State Firemen’s Association has its annual convention in Ocean City, one highlight for the public is its annual parade that takes place on Baltimore Ave. The parade will start at 1 and takes place between 16th and 30th Streets along Baltimore Avenue.

June 23

OC Cruzers on Somerset Plaza

The OC Cruzers are back on Somerset Plaza. These shows are family friendly and free to the public. Stroll Somerset Plaza and check out an array of classics vehicles, hot rods, and custom cars. Shows take place from 3-6.

OCDC helps owners of downtown buildings

Continuing a long history of supporting downtown Ocean City, the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) has more grant programs available than ever for downtown property owners and business owners.

These grants have helped fund hundreds of property renovations and helped dozens of businesses set up new locations. It’s difficult to walk any street in Downtown Ocean City without seeing a property that one of our programs has helped improve.

Over the past year, the OCDC was pleased to announce the refunding of

the Business Assistance Program and launch the Workforce Housing Program. A snapshot of the OCDC grant programs include:

Development and Assistance (Workforce Housing): Up to $25,000 for property owners developing new employee housing or rehabilitating existing employee housing.

Business Assistance: Up to $10,000 to help businesses build out interior spaces of downtown locations; can be used by owners starting a new business or existing businesses opening a new location.

Façade Improvement: Up to $7,500 to help make exterior improvements to your building; examples include new siding, railings, porches, windows, and doors.

Green Building: Up to $7,500 to improve the energy efficiency of your building, such as new windows, doors, and improved insulation.

Roof Improvement: Up to $2,000 for roof replacement.

Streetside Fence: Up to $2,000 for fence replacement or installation.

Downtown Lights: Up to $500 for exterior lighting upgrades.

Funding for these grants comes from Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development, Maryland’s Main Street Program, and the fundraising efforts of the OCDC.

These grants are restricted to downtown properties (generally south of 17th Street). Other restrictions also apply and applicants are encouraged to contact the OCDC before starting work. For more information, please contact the OCDC’s Program Manager (David Noonan) at 410-289-7739 or David@OCDC.org.

JEWELERS

The façade on the downtown dollar store on Philadelphia Avenue was improved with the help of the OCDC Façade Program. At left is the before and right is the result.

New downtown park sparkles like gem on St. Louis Avenue

After years of planning and fundraising, as well as an offseason spent doing renovations at the site, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on May 30 to officially open the park at 3rd Street. While the re-naming of the park may still be up for debate, the one thing that everybody can agree on is that the park renovations look fantastic.

A longtime favorite of local residents and visitors alike, the park takes up two full city blocks between 3rd and 4th Streets, west of Philadelphia Avenue. The east block will be home to two new basketball courts as well as new asphalt tennis/pickleball courts.

Local skaters can celebrate the reContinued to Page 14

Third Street park may also serve as venue for events

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opening of the Ocean Bowl Skate Park, the country’s oldest operating municipal skate park. While the classic features at the skate park remain, such as the Pool Bowl, Big Vert, Escalator, and Bird Bath, a 10,000square-foot expansion has also been completed. The expansion will include a beginner area and a street course with elements like rails, boxes, and banked walls.

The west block will look more like a traditional city park, with tree-lined paths, shaded seated areas, and open green space. A large playground has been installed, broken into two sections for children of ages.

The new playground made inclusion a focus, with accessibility a feature on many pieces of equipment, including some equipment specifically designed for children with sensory issues such as autism.

The section of Chicago Avenue between 3rd Street and 4th Street was closed to allow for a seamless transition from the park to the boardwalk along the bay. This Victorian-themed boardwalk is the perfect spot to watch a sunset or spend the afternoon fishing.

The west block, with its walking paths and large open space, is going to make an excellent space for special events and community activities. Local promoters and city staff have already began planning events to take place at the downtown park. The OCDC recently announced that the annual Shore Craft Beer Fest would take place this year on Sept. 21 at the new downtown park.

If you have not already seen the new park, make your way to 3rd Street and St. Louis Avenue and check out the amazing work that took place this past off season.

walkway leads to tennis-paddle ball courts in new recreation complex

Information Cottage offers info with personal touch

Visitor questions answered by volunteers who know Ocean City inside-out

Social media ads and on-line information are great, but sometimes do you wish you could just speak to a friendly face and get answers to your questions and suggestions about the best place to play, eat, shop or stay in Ocean City?

At the Information Cottage on the Boardwalk between North Division and Caroline Streets, our highly knowledgeable team provides one-onone personalized visitor information services. The Ocean City Information Cottage is an inviting space where visitors can find everything they need to know about Ocean City.

The friendly staff members greet visitors, offer directions and distribute maps, brochures, event listings, coupons and more. Many of them have lived in Ocean city most or all of their lives, so there is no better place to uncover the hidden gems OC has to offer.

Team members can provide a wealth of information on what to see, and how to get there, including public transportation options and parking. Interested in the history of Ocean?

They have free admission coupons for the Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum, just a few blocks away.

A Boardwalk directory, listing all Boardwalk business is available for viewing. 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 nearly 3 mile journey from the Inlet to 27th Street.

The cottage is a service of Ocean City Development Corporation and the Town of Ocean City. An average of 25,000 visitors stops by each summer. It is staffed Fridays and Saturdays in May. The Cottage opens 7 days a week (from noon to 8 p.m. in June, July and August.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, MAY -

The recently reopened Boardwalk Information Cottage, located between North Division and Caroline Streets.