OCEAN CITY, NEW JERSEY 2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April
7th - Woofin’ Paws Pet Fashion Show - 11am at Carey Stadium, 6th St. off the Boardwalk. Dress your pets in their Easter’s best.
7th - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny – 9am – 12noon, at the Chatterbox, 9th & Central Ave. For reservations call 609-399-0113.
7th - Easter in the DOWNTOWN - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Free Photos with the Easter Bunny in a lifeguard stand, Candy filled eggs for kids. Open an egg at the time of sale for Eggstra Special Savings all along the downtown 6th to 11th St. along Asbury Ave.
8th - The Great Egg Hunt - 2:30pm, 11th St. – 14th St. Beach. Five (5) age groups. 100,000 eggs - 5,000 with prizes, 5 grand prize bikes & other grand prizes in each age group. Raindate: April 8th
8th – Easter Sunrise Service - A traditional non denominational service by the sea. All are welcome. 6:30am, Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk.
8th - Easter Fashion Promenade - 1pm, at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk. Come dressed in your Easter’s best to stroll in our Fashion Promenade and meet the Easter Bunny.
13th -15th - Doo Dah Days In The Downtown - Tax-Free Shopping - All Weekend Long at Participating Downtown Stores.
14th - Doo Dah Parade - Say goodbye to tax season with this comedy parade complete with over 500 basset hounds. 12 noon on Asbury Ave. from 6th St. – 12th St. and then up to the Boardwalk ending at the Music Pier. Pieasco follows parade – mass pie in the face extravaganza!
14th – Earth Day Celebration – at Bayside Center, 520 Bay Avenue. Entertainment, environmental exhibits, refreshments and more. 12noon – 4pm.
7th - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny – 9am – 12noon, at the Chatterbox, 9th & Central Ave. For reservations call 609-399-0113.
7th - Easter in the DOWNTOWN - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Free Photos with the Easter Bunny in a lifeguard stand, Candy filled eggs for kids. Open an egg at the time of sale for Eggstra Special Savings all along the downtown 6th to 11th St. along Asbury Ave.
8th - The Great Egg Hunt - 2:30pm, 11th St. – 14th St. Beach. Five (5) age groups. 100,000 eggs - 5,000 with prizes, 5 grand prize bikes & other grand prizes in each age group. Raindate: April 8th
8th – Easter Sunrise Service - A traditional non denominational service by the sea. All are welcome. 6:30am, Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk.
8th - Easter Fashion Promenade - 1pm, at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk. Come dressed in your Easter’s best to stroll in our Fashion Promenade and meet the Easter Bunny.
13th -15th - Doo Dah Days In The Downtown - Tax-Free Shopping - All Weekend Long at Participating Downtown Stores.
14th - Doo Dah Parade - Say goodbye to tax season with this comedy parade complete with over 500 basset hounds. 12 noon on Asbury Ave. from 6th St. – 12th St. and then up to the Boardwalk ending at the Music Pier. Pieasco follows parade – mass pie in the face extravaganza!
14th – Earth Day Celebration – at Bayside Center, 520 Bay Avenue. Entertainment, environmental exhibits, refreshments and more. 12noon – 4pm.
May
3rd - Martin Z. Mollusk Day - Come and find out if summer is coming early, 11am at the 9th St. Beach.
5th - Spring Block Party – 9am – 5pm from 5th – 14th Sts. on Asbury Ave. Over 350 crafters, food vendors, music and more.
5th & 6th – Boardwalk & Downtown Merchant Table Sales – (No Vendors) 6th – 14th Sts. on the boardwalk and Asbury Ave.
12th – 13th – Mothers Day Weekend -“Mother’s Are Special in O.C.” Flower give away to all moms at participating Boardwalk and Downtown stores, while supplies last.
19th – American Heart Assoc. HeartWalk – Registration begins at 9am at the Sports & Civic Center, 6th & Boardwalk, walk begins at 10:30am.
25th – Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge - Participants dress in business suits, carry brief cases and march into the ocean to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance to welcome the new season. 12noon, Moorlyn Terrace St. Beach.
28th – Memorial Day Service – 11am at Veterans Memorial Park, 5th & Wesley Ave.
June
Every Wednesday, June 29th through September 7th :
Farmer’s Market at the Tabernacle Grounds every Wednesday 8am – 1pm
Farmer’s Market at the Tabernacle Grounds every Wednesday 8am – 1pm
1st - 3rd - Ocean City Flower Show – See beautiful commercial and amateur displays at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk. Show times are Friday 2pm - 9pm, Saturday 10am - 9pm and Sunday, 10am - 4 pm.
7th - Wonder's Birthday Bash – Wonderland Pier, 6th Street & Boardwalk 6pm - 10:30pm. All rides 1 ticket and fireworks at 9pm. Celebrating 82 years on the Ocean City Boardwalk
13th – 16th – Miss New Jersey – Boardwalk Parade (7pm-June 16th), preliminary competitions, and the finals at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk .
16th – Johnsons Popcorn Fathers Day Family Fun Fest - Face Painters, Bands, Magicians & Pony rides at 11th St. 9am – 6pm.
23rd – Antique Auto Show – Over 300 vintage vehicles. Tabernacle grounds, 6th & Asbury Ave.. 9am – 2pm. Boardwalk parade after 2pm.
25th – 29th - July Jubilee – A fun filled week of contests leading up to July 4th complete with taffy sculpting, treasure hunts and more. 11am at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk.
Summer Weekly Events
The Ocean City Pops Orchestra has performances throughout the summer at the Music Pier.Every Tuesday through the end of August
Funtastic Tuesdays – 10am – 1pm on Asbury Ave. Entertainment, Face Painters, Balloon sculptors.
Mummers Night – Strutting 7pm – 9pm on the boardwalk, 6th – 14th Sts.
Beach Walks – South End Location: 59th St. & Central Ave., (Entrance to Corsons Park) Tuesdays-9am, Wednesdays-6:30pm. North End Location: OC/Longport Bridge Parking Lot (Gardens Parkway) Tuesdays-6:30pm, Wednesdays-9am. Tickets may be purchased on-site. Adults $1.00 Children $.50
Every Wednesday through the end of August –
Farmer’s Market at the Tabernacle Grounds every Wednesday also crafters in Fire House Parking Lot on 6th St. 8am – 1pm. Ends Sept 12th
Beach Walks – South End Location: 59th St. & Central Ave., (Entrance to Corsons Park) Tuesdays-9am, Wednesdays-6:30pm. North End Location: OC/Longport Bridge Parking Lot (Gardens Parkway) Tuesdays-6:30pm, Wednesdays-9am. Tickets may be purchased on-site. Adults $1.00 Children $.50
Every Thursday through the end of August –
Market Days, 10am – 1pm - Asbury Avenue. Entertainment, Face Painters, Balloon sculptors.
Family Nights, Entertainment on the boardwalk 7:30pm to 9:30pm between 6th – 14th Sts. Sponsored by: Congo Falls, Gillian’s Wonderland, Johnson’s Popcorn & Playland’s Castaway Cove Inn to Inn Tours – Thursdays 2pm – 4pm, pick-up at 7th & Central Ave
Every Sunday through August 19th –
Character Nights on the boardwalk. Characters will sign autographs in front of the Music Pier at 7:00 p.m., a Surrey Parade will follow at 7:30 p.m. Come join the fun and meet all the Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants’ Mascots. Sponsored by Manco and Manco’s Pizza and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.
Character Nights on the boardwalk. Characters will sign autographs in front of the Music Pier at 7:00 p.m., a Surrey Parade will follow at 7:30 p.m. Come join the fun and meet all the Ocean City Boardwalk Merchants’ Mascots. Sponsored by Manco and Manco’s Pizza and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.
July
4th – July 4th Bike Parade – Sponsored by the Gardens Civic Assoc.. Registration 8:30am at the Longport Bridge parking lot. Parade begins at 10am.
4th – July 4th Bike Parade – Sponsored by the South OC Improvement Assoc. Registration 8:30am at the 40th & Asbury Ave. Parade begins at 10am.
4th – Fourth of July Celebration – Kite flying competition at 5pm followed by entertainment. A spectacular fireworks display off 9th Street beach tops off the evening.
11th - Sand Sculpting Contest – 9am at the 6th St. Beach – the first one of the season.
12th – Freckle Contest – 6:30pm at the Music Pier. Registration begins 6pm in front of the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk.
21st – 31st Annual T. John Carey Master’s Swim – Registration between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. at the beach patrol station, 34th Street and the beach. The race will start at 6:30 p.m.
25th – OCBP Women’s Lifeguard Invitational Races – 34th St. beach, 6:15pm. Women representing the 15 beach patrols on the South Jersey coast will be competing in this annual invitational race.
27th – Merchants in Venice Seafood Festival – Come and feast on some of the best seafood in the area and enjoy entertainment and rides for the kids. 5pm – 9pm. 6th – 9th Sts. on Asbury Ave.
28th – Night in Venice – The City’s annual boat parade is one of the largest in the world. Starts at 7:30pm from the Longport Bridge to Tennessee Ave. along the bay.
August
1st – Sand Sculpting Contest – 9am at the 6th St. Beach, the second one of the season.
1st – Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant – the original beauty contest for crustaceans. The winner receives the Coveted Cucumber Rind Cup and gets to walk down a flowery runway. 1pm at the 6th St. Beach.
1st – Hermit Crab Races – Watch as some of the fastest crabs in the universe compete for the King of Klutz Plaque immediately following Miss Crustacean at the 6th St. Beach.
3rd – 5th – The 11th Annual Art of Surfing – at the Ocean City Music Pier. Hours: Thurs. 7pm – 10pm, Fri. & Sat. 12noon – 10pm. It is a FREE family event featuring original art from surfing's biggest names, live music, and a chance to meet artists from across the country.
3rd – 5th – 49th Annual Boardwalk Art Show – Leading artists from throughout the East Coast exhibit and sell their work. Traditionally an ideal place to buy fine artwork at reasonable prices. Hours: Fri. & Sat. – 10am – 6pm, Sun. 10am – 4pm.
7th – Pamper Scamper – Annual baby crawling race 9am registration, 9:30am start at the 6th St. Beach.
9th – 103rd Annual Baby Parade – 10:15am, one of the oldest baby parades in the country. On the Boardwalk, 6th – 12th Sts..
9th – Twins Contest - 6:30 pm .Prizes for those who look the most and least alike. Registration begins at 6pm in front of the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk.
13th – 17th – Weird Week – Wacky But Not Tacky theses events are fun for the entire family. 11am each day at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk.
September
1st – Fall Farmers Market In The Downtown – 8am – 1pm, 9th & Asbury Ave.
7th – 9th - Street Rod Weekend – Features classic cars on display at the Sports & Civic Center, 6th St. off the Boardwalk and on the Boardwalk, Sat., 12noon – 4pm.
8th – Fall Farmers Market In The Downtown – 8am – 1pm, 9th & Asbury Ave.
15th – Fall Farmers Market In The Downtown – 8am – 1pm, 9th & Asbury Ave.
15th – Ocean City Airport Festival – Annual festival at the Municipal Airport, 26th & Bay Ave. 10am – 3pm. Features include a ground display of unusual airplanes ranging from World War II planes to Classics and Warbirds. Meet the performers for the next day’s Aerobatic Air Show.
22nd – Fall Farmers Market In The Downtown – 8am – 1pm, 9th & Asbury Ave.
23rd - Corvette Show - Over 350 cars exhibited. One of the largest shows of its kind in the East. Models from every year Corvettes were manufactured comprise this colorful show. Displayed on the boardwalk from 6th – 10th St., 11:30am – 4pm.
7th – 9th - Street Rod Weekend – Features classic cars on display at the Sports & Civic Center, 6th St. off the Boardwalk and on the Boardwalk, Sat., 12noon – 4pm.
8th – Fall Farmers Market In The Downtown – 8am – 1pm, 9th & Asbury Ave.
15th – Fall Farmers Market In The Downtown – 8am – 1pm, 9th & Asbury Ave.
15th – Ocean City Airport Festival – Annual festival at the Municipal Airport, 26th & Bay Ave. 10am – 3pm. Features include a ground display of unusual airplanes ranging from World War II planes to Classics and Warbirds. Meet the performers for the next day’s Aerobatic Air Show.
22nd – Fall Farmers Market In The Downtown – 8am – 1pm, 9th & Asbury Ave.
23rd - Corvette Show - Over 350 cars exhibited. One of the largest shows of its kind in the East. Models from every year Corvettes were manufactured comprise this colorful show. Displayed on the boardwalk from 6th – 10th St., 11:30am – 4pm.
29th - MS Bike-a-thon – Over 7000 bikers raise over $3 million for the Delaware Valley MS Society.
29th - Citywide Yard Sale – at Tabernacle Grounds, 5th & Wesley Ave. 8am – 1pm and at homes throughout town. Merchant table sales in the downtown all weekend long, 6th – 11th Sts. along Asbury Ave. Bargains galore!
October
6th – Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular – 9am – 5pm from 5th – 14th Streets on Asbury Ave. Over 400 crafters, food vendors, music and more. In the evening, family night entertainment on the boardwalk with fireworks beginning at 9:30pm.
6th – 8h – Boardwalk & Downtown Merchant Table Sales – (No Vendors) 6th – 14th Sts. on the boardwalk and Asbury Ave.
6th – 8th - Indian Summer Weekend – Seafood vendors at the Music Pier (Sat. – Mon.) and boardwalk table sales.
20th – 21st – The Shirt Shack Hayrides on the Boardwalk – Free - 12noon – 4pm. Passengers may get on and off at 6th and 12th Streets. Free pumpkins, face painting & trick or treating.
25th – Halloween Parade – 7:15pm on Asbury Ave. from 6th – 11th Street.
27th – Downtown Merchants Trick or Treat – 2pm – 4 pm, 6th –11th on Asbury Ave. at participating merchants.
November
3rd – Trail of Two Cities – Run/Walk - over the 9th St. Bridge from Somers Point to Ocean City. Registration 7am, Run/Walk 8am.
11th – Veterans Day Program - 11am at Veterans Memorial Park, 5th & Wesley Ave.
9th –11th - Quiet Festival – A celebration of quiet things.
10th –11th – Christmas Arts & Crafts Festival - 10am – 5pm both days at the Music Pier, Boardwalk & Moorlyn Terr. Free Parking. $3 contribution benefits local charities. Children under 12 free.
17th - "Earlier than the Bird" DOWNTOWN Shopping Extravaganza - 7am-Noon Get our earlier than the bird and jump start your holiday shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving. Shop in your pajama's, free coffee and giveaways, early bird shopping specials! Free Turkey giveaways to the best PJ's! 12noon – 3pm – Free horse & carriage rides, facepainting and photos with Santa.
17th & 18th – Holiday Celebration of Fine Crafts - 10am – 5pm both days at the Music Pier, Boardwalk & Moorlyn Terr. Free Parking. Presented by the Jersey Shore Artisans Guild. Contribution of $3 supports area charities. No charge for children under 12.
23rd - Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” 1pm - 5pm. Join the merchants & Chamber in kicking off an old-fashioned Downtown Christmas.
24th & 25th – Breakfast with Santa – 8:30am – 11:30am every weekend at a different restaurant downtown.
24th & 25th - Photos with Santa – 12pm – 3pm at the Music Pier.
December
3rd - Christmas Parade – 10:30am, 6th – 11th St. on Asbury Ave. The parade includes bands, floats and costumed characters. Santa greets children following the Parade, poses for photos, gives them treats.
3rd & 4th – Train Show – Music Pier, Boardwalk & Moorlyn Terrace, 10am – 5pm. Saturday and 11am – 4pm Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children.
3rd & 4th – Breakfast with Santa – 8:30am – 11:30am every weekend at a different restaurant downtown.
3rd & 4th – FREE Horse & Carriage Rides – 12noon – 3pm, in front of City Hall, 9th & Asbury Ave.
3rd - Christmas Parade – 10:30am, 6th – 11th St. on Asbury Ave. The parade includes bands, floats and costumed characters. Santa greets children following the Parade, poses for photos, gives them treats.
1st & 2nd – Train Show – Music Pier, Boardwalk & Moorlyn Terrace, 10am – 5pm. Saturday and 11am – 4pm Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children.
1st & 2nd – Breakfast with Santa – 8:30am – 11:30am every weekend at a different restaurant downtown.
1st & 2nd – FREE Horse & Carriage Rides – 12noon – 3pm, in front of City Hall, 9th & Asbury Ave.
1st & 2nd - Photos with Santa – 12pm – 3pm at the Music Pier.
8th & 9th - FREE Horse & Carriage Rides – 12noon–3pm, in front of City Hall, 9th & Asbury Ave.
8th & 9th – Breakfast with Santa – 8:30am – 11:30am every weekend at a different restaurant downtown.
8th & 9th - Photos with Santa – 12pm – 3pm at the Music Pier.
14th– Friday Night Hospitality Nights In The Downtown – 5pm – 8pm, free horse & carriage rides, evening shopping specials, carolers, music, Santa and more.
15th & 16th – Breakfast with Santa – 8:30am – 11:30am every weekend at a different restaurant downtown.
15th & 16th - FREE Horse & Carriage Rides – 12noon – 3pm, in front of City Hall, 9th Asbury Ave.
15th & 16th - Photos with Santa – 12pm – 3pm at the Music Pier.
21st– Friday Night Hospitality Nights In The Downtown – 5pm – 8pm, free horse & carriage rides, evening shopping specials, carolers, music, Santa and more.
22nd & 23rd – Breakfast with Santa – 8:30am – 11:30am every weekend at a different restaurant downtown.
31st – First Night New Years Eve Celebration – A complete schedule of entertainment leading up to fireworks at midnight.