On Sunday, May 18, the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum is celebrating International Museum Day by offering free admission all day. The museum is one of my favorite spots on the boardwalk — it’s a historic building full of educlational and fun exhibits for the whole family. The current featured exhibit focuses on the heroic work done by the Life Saving Service that used to be stationed in the museum’s current home.

So far this spring we’ve been seeing a lot of articles like this one, from Forbes, and this one, from the AP, predicting that high gas prices and the generally rough state of the economy are going to be a strain on Ocean City tourism this summer. It does make sense as a theory — going on vacation is more expensive now than it was last year, or the year before that. And more families are trying to tighten their budgets — just look at the numbers of people who said that they were going to spend their economic stimulus checks on bills or long-term saving.

However, here at oceancity.com we haven’t really been seeing this panning out. It seems like lots of people are reserving hotel rooms, and festivals like Springfest and Cruisin’ are doing really well — Cruisin’ registration just sold out this weekend. Whether the visitors we’ve seen so far are coming from DC and Baltimore rather than PA or Ohio, or whether they’ll start to trickle off as the summer heats up and the air conditioners have to be turned on, is yet to be seen. But so far it seems like, despite the early alarms

Tonight, Downtown Berlin will come alive in a spring celebration featuring jazz and blues musicians, art gallery exhibits, shopping and dancing. If you haven’t been to Berlin before, or have been gone for a while, this open house-style night is a great way to see what the city is all about.

Located just outside of OC, Berlin has a great collection of art galleries, the Globe theater, and plenty of other cultural attractions. The live jazz and blues music are going to be going on all weekend, so this would be a great time to take a break from the beach and go explore downtown Berlin.

Get ‘em quick, because you only have a few days! The festival runs from May 1 to May 4, and will feature musical performances by Beatlemania Again, Emerson Drive, Bill Haley’s Comets, the Sir Rod Show, and more. Check out our sister blog, Hear Music in Ocean City, for details on these and more performers.

There’s more than music going on at the festival, though –  lots of local artists and artisans will be on hand displaying and selling their work, and delicious regional food will be provided by more than thirty vendors! While the headliner concerts require tickets, admission to the event itself will be fabulously free. What better way to celebrate the return of Spring?

Seems like the Dough Roller is not going to be back in business for a while following last night’s fire. Fire officials said that the building would probably have to be torn down, and it’s unlikely that rebuilding will happen in time for the summer season.

Marty’s Playland, the boardwalk arcade that was also damaged in the fire, did not sustain as much damage and will be back in operation “very quickly,” according to Mayor Meehan.

Here at Oceancity.com we’re concerned for the Dough Roller’s family owners and employees. I will try to keep you posted on what you can do to support the damaged businesses, and on what their plans are for the future — as well as on what might have caused this very unhappy accident.

That was a close one. The Dough Roller restaurant and Sunshine Beachwear were damaged in this 9-alarm fire, but the boardwalk was saved by a quick response from Ocean City’s Fire Department. Watch this space for more information about rebuilding and investigating the causes of the fire.

Here in Ocean City, things come alive in March, on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The change is obvious — suddenly, bars stay crowded later, shops and attractions lengthen their hours, and a few brave souls start to dip their toes into the ocean. Sounds pretty great, huh? Well, as of today, February 13th, I’m starting the countdown at T - 30 days until glorious spring vacation.

Sound like a long time? If you’re in DC in this weather, it probably feels like one, too. In the meantime, ease your beach separation anxiety with the www.oceancity.com beachfront webcam. You’l (almost) feel like you’re already there!

Why, it’s a book about Ocean City!
Old Ocean City: The Journal and Photographs of Robert Craighead Walker, 1904-16, by C. John Sullivan, is a must-have for all the true OC fanatics out there. Craighead was one of the first to experience Ocean City as a vacation resort, and his photos and journals show what the town was like in the “good old days” — before condos, biker bars, or Senior Week. Plus, the book will make for a great “15-minute vacation” in the upcoming winter months, and look very handsome indeed on your coffee table.

If you are one of the Ocean City lovers and locals who are passionate about keeping Trimpers’ Rides around, you might want to check out Save Trimpers’. It’s the very well-done website of the movement to keep the amusement park around for the enjoyment of future generations. Considering that the oldest carousel was built in 1902, the park certainly has some credibility as a historic landmark!

Just got this flyer today for an art show downtown at the Hot Spot Bistro:

The people who bring you this event are a young and exciting community of artists who are interested in going beyond beach-town cliches and creating their own new directions. Anyone who likes art and wants to support the local creative community should check out the show!