Images of Oceans Calling Coming Down

It's what we were all hoping wouldn't happen, but the threat from Ian, as he marches north along the coast, has caused the Oceans Calling festival organizers to cancel the entire event this weekend. They started piling sand a couple weeks ago and the planning has been going on for months ahead of that. We heard they had tickets sold to buyers in all 50 states. Hotels are booked. Businesses here in Ocean City were ready to welcome the predicted 50,000+ visitors. As morning dawned here in Ocean City, the full extent of the damage done to Florida was filtering onto our televisions and into our phones. The images were horrific and the predictions for Ian's effect here were becoming more reliable. What started as less than an inch was escalating to 4+ inches of rain. The weather forecasters were beginning to predict sustained winds 10 - 30 mph. Small craft advisories and gale warnings are in place. The end of the wondering...

Scenes from the De-Construction of Oceans Calling

The press/box office before the occupants packed up and went to help other team members. The festival organizers announce the cancellation of all activities to keep everybody safe.

The sad message arrives. Now, the capable team is scrambling to get everything down before the heavier winds and pouring rains reach us. Here are some pictures of today.

Town workers still trying to prepare

Tired birds resting on the beach

The inlet stage is coming down

Storms impact birds too

Shoveling sand

It takes a village

Flags still flying on the pier

Fencing lays in rolls

Everybody is working hard for Ocean City

Waves crash under the pier foretelling bigger and stronger waves and wind

An angry ocean behind these two workers breaking down the festival

Work in progress under foreboding skies.

With the wind, the little tents look like marshmallows.

Wind is evident.

Traffic jam

WBOC interviews people on the Boardwalk

The Yuengling vehicle sits on the duradeck in the sand beneath the Jolly Roger ferris wheel.

The wind makes the work more difficult.

The wind has blown the sand over the duradeck, but that doesn't impede progress.

The stage nearer the inlet along with its tent village

The duradeck comes in handy for staff.

The duradeck becomes a highway

The clouds loom as the festival is broken down.

The bars will soon be down.

Teamwork works.

Public Works looks on.

Packing it up and taking it off the beach.

Lots of people document the break-down

Looking forlorn with wind blown tents

It takes teamwork to accomplish so much!

I wonder where these crabs are going to go?

Guest Services sign comes down

Even the birds are curious.

Ocean City as Ian swirls down south,

Dramatic skies.

Discussing the options.

Despite the sad news, the Jolly Roger ferris wheel looks beautiful against the sky.

Crates waiting for their content.

Caution tape no longer keeps people out - it just blows in the wind.

Birds resting and workers moving.

And these aren't even the high winds.

And the stage stands alone.

And the bar sign comes down.

Always beautiful - despite the clouds.

4 down - how many more to go

Town workers still trying to prepare

Tired birds resting on the beach.