August 2023 OCDC

Downtown Ocean City has everything

September is here and just because the kids are back at school doesn’t mean the fun has stopped in Downtown Ocean City. With the shoulder season getting busier and busier every year, September is the time to be in OCMD.

The inlet parking lot will be busy with events this month. Kicking things off the second weekend in September is Wine on the Beach. This two-day wine festival will have live music, a variety of craft vendors and fine art vendors, and wine sampling (beer is also sold).

Attendees are encouraged to bring beach chairs or blankets and sip vino on the beach, taking in views of the Atlantic Ocean. Tickets are available online or at the gate.

Switching gears (pun intended), the following week the town is filled with motorcycles for the annual OC Bikefest. The event is billed as the largest motorcycle rally on the East Coast. There will be events and rides throughout town, but the main event is held downtown at the inlet parking lot.

Nightly concerts will feature such acts as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Billy Idol, The Struts, Shinedown, ZZ Top, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Keep an eye out for bikers when you’re driving in town this

week.

If you’re looking for something more familyfriendly, the 45th Annual Sunfest Kite Festival is a free event the kids love. Taking place Sept. 21 through the 24, the Kite Loft on the Boardwalk (between 5th and 6th Streets) is command central for the event. Giant kites can be seen flying from blocks away (really, you can’t miss it!). Taking place during event will be sport kite demos, Bol races (a Bol is a parachute-like kite), quad kite line demos, giant bubble shows, and candy drops for the kids. This event is a fall staple in Ocean City.

The talk of the town this year has been the anContinued on page 4

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Oceans Calling wraps up month in big way

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ticipation of the Oceans Calling Music Festival. The three-day music festival will take place the final weekend of September and feature such national acts as Jack Johnson, Alanis Morissette, OAR, John Mayer, Incubus, the Lumineers, Weezer, and Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats (just to name a few of the headliners).

A special note to travelers not in town for the festival, the Boardwalk and beach south of N. Division Street will be closed to public during this event.

Even if you don’t have tickets for one of our many events this September, Ocean City still has a lot to offer —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 a tropical setting, downtown is the place to be. 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 or indoor arcades. 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 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 tTrams 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 (note the tram will start running different hours during after Labor Day).

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 September visit.

OCDC business directories revised with major updates

The OCDC has published updated 2023 version of the Boardwalk Business Directory and Off the Boardwalk Business Directory. The Directory is being posted at multiple sites downtown and is also available at www.OCDC.org .

The directory will help visitors to the Boardwalk and Downtown/

Inlet area navigate the local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and other attractions.

Visitors are also encouraged to stop by the Information Cottage (located on the boardwalk between N. Division and Caroline Streets) for further assistance and recommendations.

JEWELERS

Turtle hunt draws crowds downtown for shot at prizes

This year’s Turtle Hunt on the Boardwalk was a huge success! Hundreds of parents and children scoured the Boardwalk to find the locations of visiting turtles.

The stuffed turtles were hidden in 12 businesses from the Inlet to 6th Street.

Thanks to Beachology, Doggie Style, Dough Roller, Fun City, Kite Lost, OC Life Saving Station Museum, Park Place Hotel, Shenanigans, Somerset Jewelers, Souvenir City, Trimper Sweets, and Wockenfus Candies for provide a home for the turtles during the two-week event.

Boardwalk Info Cottage has another successful year

The Information Cottage, on the Boardwalk between Caroline and North Division Streets was revamped this year with a new roof and signage. The large, attractive flower pots provided by the OC Beautification Committee added to the updated look. The booth is operated by the Downtown Association Committee of OCDC and is a great source for what’s happening throughout town. It services over 23,000 visitors each summer and sponsors a scavenger hunt each August where hundreds of children visit various boardwalk businesses to win a coveted stuffed animal.

In addition to providing answers to commonly asked question about Ocean City, coupons and the latest in-

formation on business, hotels, restaurants and amusements, they also supply bottled water for OC police and safety workers to keep them going on those hot, hot summer days. Thank you to Rita’s Italian Ice for donating the water this year!

This year’s dedicated and knowledgeable staff and volunteers: Donna Greenwood, Jason Long, Phil Reid, Jackie Ball, Vicki Eckenrode, Hope Glinowiecki, Susan Tagert, Joe Mitrecic, Frank Knight, Mary Knight, and Donna Reid. Thanks to our staff and volunteers who collectively spent over 800 hours helping others enjoy the town they love.

We’ll be open Friday and Saturday throughout September, so stop by and see us!

Grants help with continued revitalization of downtown

The Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) is a local nonprofit 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 sid-

ing, decking, railings, and other exterior improvements. To date the OCDC’s Façade program has helped renovate over 270 buildings in downtown Ocean City.

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.

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September in Downtown OC

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

OC Beach Dance Party (All Ages)

September 4 - 7:30-9:30 p.m.

This Year’s Final Beach Dance Party. Dance the evening away with entertainment hosted by local DJ's at Ocean City’s Caroline Street Stage on the beach by the Boardwalk! Grab your beach chair, blanket, and friends and head downtown for an evening of interactive entertainment. Come early to get a prime spot on the beach to enjoy the music and dance in the sand; adjacent to the best food offerings Ocean City’s Boardwalk has to offer!

More info at www.ococean.com/events/

Wine on the Beach

September 8 and 9 - 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sample Maryland Wineries, shop craft vendors and fine artists, enjoy live entertainment, and take in views of the ocean at the this annual wine festival located in the Inlet Parking Lot in Downtown Ocean City. Samples and by the glass options are available. This is a ticketed event and can be purchased online or at the door.

More info at www.winefest.com

OC Cruzers Car Display on Somerset Plaza w/ Classic Vibe

September 10 - 3:00-6:00 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 Classic Vibe.

More info at www.occruzers.com

911 Parade of Brothers Boardwalk Motorcyle Ride

September 11 - 11:30 a.m. viewing time

Motorcycles will parade down the Boardwalk before having a scenic ride over the Rt. 50 bridge and into Sussex County. Spectators can watch the Boardwalk parade starting at 11:30 a.m.

More info at www.ococean.com

OC Bikefest

September 13-17

Billed as the largest motorcycle rally on the East Coast, the 2023 OC Bikefest will have events for motorcycle enthusiasts throughout town. The main event will be held Downtown in the Inlet Parking Lots, with live music featuring Joan Jett, Billy Idol, The Struts, Shinedown, ZZ Top, and Lynyrd Skynrd. A Boardwalk Motorcycle Parade is scheduled for Saturday at 10:00.

More info at www.ocbikefest.com

OC Cruzers Car Display on Somerset Plaza

September 24 - 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Make your way to Somerset Street and check out a selection of classic cars , hotrods, and customs. Cars will be on display at Somerset Plaza.

More info at www.occruzers.com

Sunfest Kite Festival

September 21-24 - 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m

One of the best family friendly events the town has to offer, the Kite Loft is celebrating its 45th Annual Sunfest Kite Festival. Events to take place between 3rd and 7th street on the Boardwalk (just look up and you’ll see where to go). Families can expect to enjoy giant kites, bubble shows, candy drops, and all things kites.

More info at www.occruzers.com

Oceans Calling Music Festival

September 29 through October 1

This three day music festival will take over the Boardwalk and beach south of N. Division Street during the last weekend of October. Huge crowds are expected to flock to town to watch national musical acts including, Jack Johnson, Alanis Morissette, OAR, John Mayer, the Lumineers, and many more. Tickets and details are available online.

More info at www.oceanscallingfestival.com