Ocean City —While it won’t be until June that the full Blue Angels squadron flies over Ocean City for the 2019 Air Show, two officers with the U.S. Navy flight demonstration team will be in Ocean City this week for a brief flyover.
Weather permitting, Lieutenant Cary Rickoff and Lieutenant Commander Adam Kerrick will fly into NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, in a Blue Angels F/A-18. They’ll then meet with officials from the OC Air Show and the Town of Ocean City, in addition to other support agencies that help host the team every year.
Before landing, the duo is expected to fly over the beach to survey the area in preparation for the upcoming Ocean City Air Show, which will take place June 15 – 16, 2019.
What was once Black Friday has turned into more of a Black-Thursday-and-Friday, with large chain retailers opening their doors to post-Thanksgiving sales as early as 5 p.m. on Thursday, barely a moment before the Thanksgiving dinner dishes have been loaded into the dishwasher. Saturday is Small Business Saturday, dedicated to shopping small and supporting local independent businesses, while Monday is, of course, Cyber Monday, where shoppers can explore deals and discounts from all over the world without having to leave their living room.
With all those days dedicated to getting, in 2012 it was decided that there would be at least one day dedicated to giving: Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday celebrates philanthropy and donating to worthy nonprofits and causes throughout the United States. Many small communities around the country have their own locally-focused offshoots of Giving Tuesday, and on Delmarva, that offshoot is Shore Gives More, an online donation campaign by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) in support of local nonprofits and fundraisers.
This Giving Tuesday, there will be 98 nonprofits listed on the Shore Gives More website, a substantial increase from the 23 that were listed when the campaign was first launched in 2015. That year, the 23 nonprofits raised $7,500. In 2017, the 80 nonprofits listed raised a total of $164,000.
Participating nonprofits are given access to online fundraising platforms, marketing campaigns, and incentive prizes, provided at no cost to the nonprofits. On the online donation portal, donors can quickly learn about each individual nonprofit and donate as much as they want in one checkout (the minimum donation required if $10; there is, of course, no maximum).
“The campaign is truly a collaborative effort,” said CFES President Erica Joseph. “Each nonprofit works hard to make their fundraising goals a reality, and months of preparations are put in before the big day. Our primary sponsors, Pohanka Community Partners Program and 47 ABC, provide invaluable support which allows the event to be a success. Additional incentive prizes for nonprofits are provided by the Hershey Family Fund and the Perdue Family Fund at CFES.”
The 98 local nonprofits range from heritage foundations and healthcare centers to ministries and rehabilitation centers. Their advocacies are wide-ranging, as seen in the examples below, which are only the tip of the iceberg; See the full list of not-for-profit institutions and fundraisers here, and consider giving back to your community in the spirit of the holiday season this Giving Tuesday.
The Art League of Ocean City
The Art League is a local non-profit whose gallery features two floors of exhibits, artist studios, a pottery studio and classrooms. They hold art classes, a kids’ summer camps, annual events like the Sand Castle Home Tour and the Ocean City Film Festival, and a monthly opening reception that’s free and open to the public. Their mission statement is, simply put, to promote artistic expression and appreciation for the creative arts in the local community. You can donate to the Art League of Ocean City on their website.
Assateague Island Alliance
The Assateague Island Alliance (AIA) is a non-profit that formed in 2008 to provide direct support for the scientific, education, interpretation and recreation programs at Assateague Island National Seashore. Patrons can get involved with AIA by becoming a member, volunteering or making a donation on AIA’s website. Pony lovers can get involved by fostering a horse, where their donation will directly support Assateague’s wild horse management program, or by participating in a “Name That Foal” auction.
Atlantic General Hospital
Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) is a not-for-profit hospital in Berlin, Md that’s locally owned and managed by a board of directors; built in 1993, the hospital provides healthcare and emergency services to residents of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia’s shore. On Giving Tuesday, or on any day of the year, people can donate gifts in support of the AGH program of their choosing, including the Regional Cancer Care Center, the Fall Golf Classic, the annual Penguin Swim, the Campaign for the Future and more, and they can also be donated as a tribute. Donations are accepted on the AGH website.
Delmarva Public Radio
Delmarva Public Radio, or DPR, is the region’s local NPR station based out of Salisbury, Md. DPR provides programming that ranges from music and arts to national news and current events, and they’re always expanding their repertoire to provide the best programming to residents of the Shore (their latest addition, Beer Notes, is the first craft beer-centered program to be syndicated nationally on NPR stations, and it’s made right on Delmarva). Supporters of DPR can donate to the station on their website, and even receive gifts like a recycled journal, a classical CD bundle and a BirdNote calendar just for making a donation.
Maryland Coastal Bays
The Maryland Coastal Bays Project (MCBP) is a non-profit partnership between the towns of Ocean City and Berlin, the National Park Service (NPS), Worcester County, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Planning. They work to protect the local watershed, including the coastal bays behind Ocean City and Assateague Island (the St. Martin River, Newport Bay, Assawoman Bay, Isle of Wight Bay, Sinepuxent Bay and Chincoteague Bay).
On Giving Tuesday, MCBP will host a wine and oyster tasting at the West O Bottle Shop in West Ocean City, and each person that donates $10 to MCBP at the event will be entered into a raffle to receive a basket of goodies. You can also simply donate to MCBP on their website.
Ocean City Development Corporation
Ocean City Development Corp. (OCDC) is dedicated to revitalizing downtown Ocean City; “We envision an economically sound and socially healthy downtown Ocean City, Maryland,” says their Vision Statement, “Where revitalization has capitalized on the positive aspects of the area to create a sense of character, charm, and community for both residents and visitors.” OCDC’s programs include the Facade Improvement Program which has benefitted many buildings downtown, and public art programs that range from murals to sculptures to painted utility boxes. You can donate to OCDC on their website.
The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum
There is a litany of ways to support the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, the historic building that once served as a life-saving station for the Coast Guard and is now a museum depicting “The Tides & Times of Ocean City, Maryland.” Supporters can become a member of the museum (only $5 for students, $10 for individuals and $30 for families, which will then get you free admission into the museum!), or participate in the annual Storm Warriors 5k Run/Walk, make a purchase in the gift shop, volunteer with the museum or make a donation to the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.
Hopefully by now you’ve recovered from a fantastic and fruitful Thanksgiving and are in preparation for the next round of holiday shopping, get-togethers and general festiveness! It’s certainly the most wonderful time of the year here in Ocean City, and we couldn’t be more excited for everything that’s going on this season.
Winterfest of Lights is in full swing and continues until Dec. 31, and this week will also see the annual Ocean City Christmas Parade down Coastal Highway, Christmas carriage rides in Berlin, a Jingle Bell 5k, a Holiday Open House at the Life-Saving Station Museum and even a Frank Sinatra tribute at the Performing Arts Center. See below for all the details.
If you can’t be in Ocean City for the holiday season, now’s a good time to start thinking about your summer vacation to get you through these cold wintry months. You also might check out some of OC’s best webcams for a virtual view of the beach (from the comfort and warmth of your own home), and if you haven’t already, subscribe to our newsletter and we’ll keep you updated with more holiday festivities, deals and events through the rest of the year.
Last Week’s News
Crime update: Two men were arrested last week for burglarizing hotels that were closed for the season, stealing several TVs. In other news, the OCPD is attempting to identify this woman in regards to a theft investigation; Contact the OCPD if you have any information.
OCEAN CITY, MD – (November 20, 2018): The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) have arrested two individuals suspected of burglarizing hotels closed for the winter, and stealing TVs. On Nov. 14 at about 10:30 a.m., the OCPD received a report of a burglary at a hotel in the area of 29th Street and Baltimore Avenue.
Boardwalk barrier project moves forward: A more permanent boardwalk access barrier will be coming soon, as the Town signed a $1.9 million contract with Hercules Fence that includes implementing gated access points, concrete planters and bollards along the boardwalk for increased security.
OCEAN CITY – Resort officials this week awarded a $1.9 million contract to Hercules Fence for the second phase of the Boardwalk access control project. In a work session earlier this month, the Mayor and Council received and accepted four bids for the second, and more permanent, phase of the Boardwalk access control project and remanded them to staff for further review.
More cigarette butt receptacles to be installed:The Worcester County Health Department awarded Ocean City a $2,000 grant to install additional cigarette butt receptacles at boardwalk ramps.
Worcester County Health Dept. awards Ocean City $2K grant for installation (Nov. 23, 2018) Aiming to reduce a common pollutant, Worcester County Health Department awarded Ocean City a $2,000 grant to finance installation of cigarette butt receptacles at the ramps to the Boardwalk for next summer.
#ThisWeekinOC
Winterfest of Lights (Now til Dec. 31): More than one million twinkling lights illuminate the winter sky during Winterfest of Lights. Ride a tram through a winter wonderland while Christmas carols play, then enjoy a hot chocolate or get a picture taken with Santa in the heated Winterfest Village Pavilion. Admission is $5 for adults, while children 11 and under get in for free. Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Ocean City Christmas Parade (Dec. 1): The Ocean City Christmas Parade continues the 35-year tradition started by Gold Coast Mall. Mark your calendars for December 1st, bring your chairs, blankets and plan for a day in Ocean City! Arrive early to park and get your viewing spot. The parade will feature more than 50 units, including high school bands, antique cars, colorful holiday floats, horses and more. The southbound lanes of Coastal highway are closed for the parade in that general area allowing spectators to gather curbside. Pedestrians will not be allowed to watch the parade from the median on Coastal Highway.
Free Christmas Carriage Rides in Berlin (Dec. 1, 2, 15, 16, 22, 23): Get into the holiday spirit with a free carriage ride through the Town of Berlin. Ride through town and check out the decorated homes and storefronts. Rides are from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and are located at the corner of Pitts and Main Street.
It Was a Very Good Year: Frank Sinatra Tribute (Dec. 1): Join Tony Sands and his 6 piece band for a tribute to Frank Sinatra. Tickets: $45 & $35 . This is a must-see for any Frank Sinatra fan. Doors open 7:30 p.m.
Winterfest of Lights Jingle Bell 5k Run/Walk (Dec. 2): Come to Northside Park on Sunday evening and walk or run the 5K through Ocean City’s Winterfest of Lights! You will receive a long-sleeve race shirt, hot chocolate, cookies, and a ride through the lights on the Winterfest Express after the race.
OCEAN CITY, MD – (November 20, 2018): The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) have arrested two individuals suspected of burglarizing hotels closed for the winter, and stealing TVs.
On Nov. 14 at about 10:30 a.m., the OCPD received a report of a burglary at a hotel in the area of 29th Street and Baltimore Avenue. Through investigation, officers determined the burglary occurred on Nov. 12 at about 5:45 a.m. and the suspects had stolen several TVs from hotel rooms
Detectives determined the identity of the suspects and a Worcester County Circuit Court Judge authorized the search and seizure warrant for the suspects’ residence on 32nd Street. During the search of the residence, detectives located multiple TVs and several bicycles that had previously been reported stolen. The suspects, later identified as Paul J. Kelly III, 31, and James T. Eckenrod, 44, of Ocean City, were arrested without incident.
As detectives were completing the search warrant, officers were dispatched to another reported burglary at a hotel in the area of 45th Street and the beach. Hotel management reported that several TVs had been stolen. TVs in the suspects’ residence matched the description of those that were reported stolen from 45th Street hotel.
Kelly has been charged with two counts of first degree burglary, two counts of second degree burglary, one count of fourth degree burglary, one count of theft of $100 to less than $1,500, one count of theft $1,500 to less than $25,000, and one count of malicious destruction of property. He was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and transferred to the Worcester County Jail on $20,000 bond. Eckenrod has been charged with two counts of theft of $100 to less than $1,500. He was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and released on personal recognizance.
Last week, 10 teams competed for a $50,000 grant in a pitch competition held live at the 38th Annual Maryland Tourism & Travel Summit in Cambridge, Md. The competition, “Crab Tank on the Choptank,” loosely based on the hit television show “Shark Tank,” featured contestants presenting their tourism marketing campaign ideas to the “crabs, ” or judges, in the tank. The prize was ultimately awarded to the Town of Ocean City, who teamed up with six Eastern Shore county tourism officials, to pitch the “Chase the Blue Crab” trail.
Ocean City Tourism Director Donna Abbott and Destination Sales Manager Norma Dobrowolski partnered with tourism officials from Worcester County, Wicomico County, Dorchester County, Talbot County, Queen Anne’s County and Kent County. Their award-winning pitch includes a group tour itinerary that invites visitors to “chase the blue crab” and celebrate, learn, savor and enjoy authentic experiences across the Eastern Shore. The trail will take visitors from the Bay Bridge and make its way down to Ocean City, passing through all six counties along the way.
“We were excited to partner with our fellow destination marketing organizations to make the pitch,” Abbott said. “This group tour marketing initiative will be of great benefit to all of our destinations.”
The “Chase the Blue Crab” trail includes a listing of recommended All-You-Can-Eat crab houses that are group tour-friendly, like Phillips Crab House in Ocean City. It also includes accommodation options to fit a variety of budgets, including the Hyatt Cambridge and properties from the Harrison Group and the Boardwalk Hotel Group.
“We saw this as a great opportunity to expand group tour travel itineraries across the Eastern Shore,” said Kristen Goller, Tourism Manager for Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism. “We are thrilled to have won the additional marketing support by the Maryland Office of Tourism and look forward to enhancing visitor experiences by chasing the blue crab.”
The Town of Ocean City and its partners will be regrouping in early December to finalize details of the trail; they hope to launch in time for blue crab season of 2019.
The winning “Chase the Blue Crab” pitch received $50,000 in promotional exposure by the Maryland Office of Tourism, a division of the Maryland Department of Commerce. The Town of Ocean City Department of Tourism also was the recipient of the Cooperative Partnership Award with Worcester and Wicomico counties for the marketing of the National Folk Festival.
Ocean City, MD (Nov. 17, 2018) — Celebrate Giving Tuesday this holiday season, support one of the U.S.’ National Estuary Programs known as the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP), and enjoy a wine and oyster sampling from 5 – 8 p.m. Nov. 27 at the West O Bottle Shop in West Ocean City.
MCBP staff wants to celebrate the spirit of giving and encourage donors to give while having fun on Giving Tuesday. Morgan and Proud Pour Wines will be hosting the wine tasting at the event, South Point Oyster Farm will be providing fresh local oysters, and there will be appetizers from local restaurants including Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Chipotle. Each person that donates as little as $10 during the event will receive a raffle ticket for a basket of goodies.
Today in the U.S., a child spends an average of seven hours a day in front of a screen, and only seven minutes a day engaging in unstructured outdoor play. The Maryland Coastal Bays Program is working hard to change this behavior.
In 2018, over 7,000 children and their families participated in Coastal Bays’ education programs including community activities, service trips, and summer camps. These enriching programs encouraged environmental values and provided hands-on experiences to help create strong coastal bays’ stewards. All proceeds to MCBP from Giving Tuesday will go directly to funding these educational programs.
Giving Tuesday is a national campaign where individuals are encouraged to donate to area non-profits. Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) has created the Giving Tuesday online giving day to consolidate local end-of-year charitable fundraising opportunities. For one day, there is a link provided to donate to over 60 area non-profits, including MCBP. It’s an easy one-stop shop to donate to local charities. The effort is known locally as “Shore Gives More,” and can be accessed online at www.shoregivesmore.org.
MCBP works with local, federal and state agencies to help protect and preserve the Coastal Bays. For more information, visit www.mdcoastalbays.org.
For more information on this event contact Sandi Smith at sandis@mdcoastalbays.org or at 410-213-2297 ext. 106.
In the past few years, West Ocean City has undergone some crucial changes. The 2018-19 season is no different; in an area once served as more of a means of transportation to downtown Ocean City than a destination in itself, the landscape continues to develop in a major way.
Ocean Landings II, a new shopping center behind the Berlin McDonald’s and west of the Walmart Supercenter, opened at least some of its doors last spring and continues to see new restaurants and retail businesses open up shop.
Farther east, Bad Monkey and Tequila Mockingbird have both built their second locations in West OC, with Bad Monkey’s new location off Route 50 still under construction and Tequila Mockingbird now open in the Park Place Plaza, which itself is a brand new shopping center. The Plaza’s flagship store, Park Place Jewelers, is now open, and will celebrate with an official grand opening celebration on Dec. 8. Other businesses in the Park Place Plaza include Dolle’s Candyland and Bank of Delmarva, and two units in the building remain available for restaurant and retail space.
Todd Ferrante, who owns Park Place Jewelers with his wife Jill Ferrante, opened his first jewelry shop on the Boardwalk in 1996. Opening the Park Place Plaza allowed them to finally have a place of their own, he said, and they’re happy to share that place with other local businesses.
“The opening of the Plaza gave the opportunity for other businesses to come to the West Ocean City area, and it was nice to provide that,” Ferrante said.
Because of West Ocean City’s year-round, residential population, he said, businesses like Tequila Mockingbird, Dolle’s, and Bank of Delmarva, all of which have additional locations across the Route 50 bridge, can “fill a void” in a growing market.
In addition to the Park Place Plaza and Ocean Landings II, a Hooper’s Shopping Plaza is under construction on what was once an overflow parking lot for Hooper’s, just before the Route 50 bridge. A new Candy Kitchen is under construction nearby, and in the White Marlin Mall, a Flagship Premium Cinemas will soon take the place of the Michaels that was recently relocated to Ocean Landings II.
“Right now it just seems as if it’s the prime area for development,” said Kathryn Gordon, the Interim Director of Economic Development for Worcester County. “It’s a great location with all the traffic that crosses Route 50, and there’s the residential area of Ocean Pines right there. It just seems like Worcester County as a whole is starting to bring more businesses in.”
New developments
Park Place Plaza: Now open — Park Place Jewelers, Dolle’s, Bank of Delmarva, Tequila Mockingbird. Two units remain open for future retail or restaurant tenants.
Hooper’s Shopping Plaza: A 17,350 square foot development is underway in what was once used for Hooper’s overflow parking. The building will be used for office and retail space, and there is already a permit for a Starbucks.
Ocean Landings II (On Samuel Bowen Blvd in Berlin, off Route 50): Now open — PetSmart, IHop, Fox’s Pizza Den, Dollar Tree, Great Clips, Michaels (formerly located in the White Marlin Mall), Ross department store. The shopping center also includes McDonald’s, Home Depot, and Walmart, which first opened its doors in 1999. Space is still available for future tenants.
In addition to the new shopping plazas in West Ocean City, there’s also a permit in place for a new Candy Kitchen just west of the Chipotle off Route 50. Restauranteurs have shown interest in what was once a Wendy’s in the White Marlin Mall, but no permits have yet been issued. A Flagship Premium Cinemas movie theater is slated to open in the White Marlin Mall early 2019.
It was late February of this year when Cole Taustin, Jay Taustin and Frank Raffo initially closed the deal on West Ocean City’s newest restaurant. It was then almost instantly that construction crews came to the scene, appropriate licenses were garnered and in what might be the quickest restaurant turnover in Ocean City history, the old Ocean City Fish Company was transformed into Mad Fish Bar & Grill in just 10 short weeks.
Gokey Gogo Bones, Bodacious Bob, Sarah’s Sweet Tea, Johnny’s Star… The Assateague Horse ID app will tell you a lot about the island ponies, including their names, but it won’t tell you exactly where those names came from.
Foals start with only letter-and-number names. For example, this year’s first foal, who was born on April 2, 2023 goes by N2BHS-APV on paper. However was recently named, Linda Rae’s Autumn Glory. The second foal, N9BFT-KPV, a chestnut colt, now called Alexandria’s Angel was born sometime in early April. These ID names help track the horses’ lineage, and give them a temporary name until they receive a new title in a “Name That Horse” content or “Name That Foal” auction, both of which occur annually.
Name That Horse contests typically take place between April and September, and winners are selected in a random drawing. Past winners have included Danielle Barnard, who was visiting Assateague with her parents for the first time when her name came up in the raffle. She chose the name “Aliyana Grace,” the former name Spanish for “beautiful girl.” 12-year-old Emma Sawch of Connecticut named her mare “Bailey,” and a local restaurant employee chose the name “Ms. Macky” after Macky’s owner Pam Stansell, a longtime volunteer for the Assateague Island Alliance.
Name That Foal auctions serve as fundraisers for the Assateague Island Alliance and the wild horse management program. The opportunity to name a young Assateague foal is auctioned off on eBay, where the bidding starts at $500. Three auctions have been slated for 2018: The first 10-day auction closed earlier this month, and the bidder is remaining anonymous in order to surprise a loved one with the foal’s name for Christmas. That name was sold for $1,725.
The second auction of the year is currently taking place, where one lucky winner will have the chance to name N6BMT-FQ, the sorrel colt with a star born to Jojo and, most likely, General Harker. The third and final 10-day auction will go live on eBay Nov. 28.
Names given by contest- and auction-winners are subject to approval by the National Park Service, and they can’t include profanity, pejoratives, corporate, copyrighted or brand names, or the name “Misty” (as there’s only one Misty, who famously lived on Chincoteague).
As of the last census in March 2023, there were 75 wild ponies on the island. 29 were stallions and 46 were mares. Only a small handful of foals are born every year, so the opportunity to christen one is rare.
A tail of two herds You’ve probably heard the terms ‘Assateague ponies’ and ‘Chincoteague ponies’ used interchangeably, so if you’ve ever gotten the two confused or just flat-out thought that they were the same thing, you’re not alone. If that’s the case, then today you’re going to learn something new!
There hasn’t been any snow yet (thankfully), but Ocean City is already starting to look like a winter wonderland. From the decorated shops and streets downtown to the spectacular lights show that’s just been set up for the season in Northside Park, we’re starting to get into the holiday spirit, and the winter festivities are only just beginning this week.
Winterfest of Lights kicks off with a tree-lighting ceremony on Thursday, and on the other end of town, the annual Light Up Downtown Fest will be the place for families to be this Saturday. Treat yourself to a warm hot chocolate on these cold fall nights, and enjoy the start of Christmastime in Ocean City.
The holidays are upon us, and Ocean City is already looking like a winter wonderland: Lights are strung everywhere from downtown to Northside Park, wreaths hang on front doors, and everyone’s all bundled up as they stroll the quiet Boardwalk and the peaceful, empty beach.
#ThisWeekinOC
Winterfest of Lights (Nov. 15 – Dec. 31): More than one million twinkling lights illuminate the winter sky during Winterfest of Lights. Ride a tram through a winter wonderland while Christmas carols play, then enjoy a hot chocolate or get a picture taken with Santa in the heated Winterfest Village Pavilion. Admission is $5 for adults, while children 11 and under get in for free.
Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Winterfest Tree-Lighting Ceremony (Nov. 15): The 26th Anniversary for Ocean City’s beloved holiday festival will be opening its doors to visitors on Thursday, November 15, with a magical tree lighting ceremony. The special ceremony will kick off at 5:30 p.m. at Northside Park’s Winterfest Village at 127th Street and the bay and is free and open to the public.
Adding to the winter wonderland is a special performance by Ocean City Elementary School’s “OC Stars” performing holiday songs and dance. In addition, Mayor Rick Meehan will “flip the switch” to light the 50 foot Christmas tree and officially open the entire Winterfest of Lights event. Even Santa will make a surprise appearance for the opening ceremony, which will feature free rides on the Winterfest Express train for the remainder of the evening.
Turkey Trot Golf Open (Nov. 17): Time to squeeze in one more great golf tournament before the weather gets too cold. This is a 4 person modified scramble featuring a golf tournament and turkey feast at Eagle’s Landing Golf Course. A 9:30 a.m. shotgun start will put the event into action.
Light Up Downtown Festival (Nov. 17): Enjoy free, festive fun in downtown Ocean City with holiday shopping, tree lighting, kids’ crafts, games and prizes, gift drawings, live music and even a visit from our good friend Santa.
The holidays are upon us, and Ocean City is already looking like a winter wonderland: Lights are strung everywhere from downtown to Northside Park, wreaths hang on front doors, and everyone’s all bundled up as they stroll the quiet Boardwalk and the peaceful, empty beach. There’s more to do than take in all the peace and tranquility that this time of year offers, although that’s always a benefit of winter in Ocean City.
Additionally, though, there are plenty of holiday happenings from lights shows to parades to shopping events, and you can bet that most of them include a visit from Santa and lots of hot chocolate. Add these festivities to your trip planner, and check our events directory for a full list of holiday and non-holiday events this winter in OC.
No list of holiday happenings in Ocean City could start without Winterfest of Lights, the annual lights show in Northside Park where more than a million twinkling Christmas lights illuminate the night sky. Many families travel to Ocean City during the holiday season just for Winterfest — it’s one of the annual events that the Town is best known for, and it only gets bigger every year. What are Boardwalk trams in the summer turn into magical Winterfest Express trains in the winter, driving passengers through the park while holiday music plays on the speakers. In the heated Winterfest Village Pavilion, visitors will find hot chocolate and a photo op with Santa.
The month-and-a-half long event kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 15. Ocean City Elementary’s “OC Stars” will sing Christmas carols and the Mayor will flip the switch on the 50 ft. Christmas tree before Winterfest rides officially begin for the season.
This year, on Dec. 2 from 5 – 6:30 p.m., there will be a Jingle Bell 5k Run/Walk through Winterfest of Lights. Participants will receive a long-sleeve race shirt, hot chocolate, cookies, and a ride through Winterfest after the race.
Last year’s Light Up Downtown Fest was sadly canceled due to high winds, but the free 2018 event is coming back strong with holiday shopping, a tree lighting, live music, crafts, games and prizes for the kids, and a visit from Santa.
2017’s Light Up Downtown Festival is on Nov. 18 from 2-6 p.m. Any lover of the holidays won’t really need a reason to want to attend Ocean City’s annual Light Up Downtown Festival-after all, it’s chock full of pretty much every exclusively Christmastime specialty except egg nog.
Nov. 23 – 25, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday), $3 admission for the weekend
Skip the madness of Black Friday and opt for Ocean City’s Holiday Shopper’s Fair instead. The sheer size of the Convention Center where the fair takes place keeps it from becoming a traditional Black Friday madhouse, and it also helps that the event stretched out over three days. Find handmade items like jewelry, candles, and ceramics, plus a food court, a non-shopper’s lounge, kids activities, and, of course, Santa. Have fun shopping and get all your holiday gift-buying out of the way early this year.
2018 marks the 35th year of the Ocean City Christmas Parade, where more than 50 festive floats, school marching bands, and classic cars make their way down Coastal Highway, all in the spirit of Christmas. Bring chairs and blankets, and secure your spot early. The parade starts at Old Landing Road and marches south to the judges’ stand at 120th Street. And yes, Santa will be there — Ocean City keeps him very busy this time of year.
Gold Coast Mall started the tradition 35 years ago, and the Ocean City Christmas Parade is still going strong in 2017. From Old Landing Road to 120th street, marching bands, jeeps and classic cars, firetrucks and floats paraded down Coastal Highway on Dec.
Pizza and Santa always make for a winning combination. The kids’ pizza party will take place in the Winterfest Village Pavilion and include cookie decorating, arts and crafts, a ride through Winterfest, and more.
Pick up handmade, locally-made gifts for your loved ones at the Art League of Ocean City’s annual Holiday Artisan Fair. All kinds of art, including jewelry, glass, ceramics, and art prints are for sale, and visitors can also peruse the beautiful two-story gallery while they’re shopping. Live music, refreshments, and book signings with local authors complete the weekend-long event.
There’s nothing that puts you in the holiday season more than seeing a Christmas show and singing along to all the classic holiday hits. Bring the whole family to the Ocean City Performing Arts Center to see the Christmas Cabaret on Dec. 5, where kids perform live music, dance, and skits. On Dec. 9, enjoy music from the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. On Dec. 15, Brian’s Christmas Songbook features the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra in the “Concert for a Cause” that aims to fight opioid addiction, and on Dec. 16, the Sussex Dance Academy presents The Nutcracker.
You can’t say goodbye to 2018 without attending some kind of fireworks/NYE party combination, and no one does fireworks and partying better than Ocean City. The free fireworks display at Northside Park begins at midnight, and the festivities include live entertainment, hot chocolate, and one last ride through Winterfest of Lights. Winterfest rides will begin at the usual time but extend to midnight on New Year’s Eve. With all the fun you’ve hopefully had in Ocean City this year, there’s no better way to end 2018 and begin 2019 than by celebrating right here in OCMD.
Consider trekking over to Berlin for their seasonal celebrations while you’re in town. And no matter where you are, we hope your holiday season is filled with peace, joy, and lots of time spent with loved ones. Happy holidays!
Ocean City is well-known for its holiday celebrations that begin in mid-November with Winterfest of Lights and end with a New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration, but a little to the west in Berlin, Maryland, small town living is elevated and ultra-festive.
A Realtor spends hours viewing and researching property for a buyer. Once the perfect property is located, a buyer may feel they are on the homestretch, but the reality is: you’re a long way from your agent completing their job.
There are still many pitfalls that may arise during the settlement process. Keeping a positive outlook and trying to locate solutions will make all the difference in a successful transaction. Here are a few stumbling blocks, and some suggestions to navigate those hurdles:
Lenders
Each market has its own sticking points, but the Ocean City market seems to be especially perplexing to many “out of area” lenders. Some of the problems with not using local lenders are:
Furniture is usually included with condo sales. This is not the “norm” for most lenders. You might want to specify “sold as shown” rather than “furnished.”
If a lender will not underwrite a condo without sufficient reserves, a switch to a local lender may make this problem disappear.
Out of area lenders may have a more conservative view of required reserves.
Home inspections
Home inspections frequently cause concern and stress to both the buyer and seller. You may want to remember not all items on a home inspection need to be addressed.
It is the sole duty of the inspector to locate any and all issues with a property. However, at times the long list or repair items become overwhelming and appear to be “nitpicking” to a seller. This may make the seller want to throw up their hands in despair. By taking the cost of each item into consideration, you may find there are a number of repair items that could be ignored. It is best to keep the focus on the larger, more costly issues.
As an example, a knob missing from a dryer, a $3 item, could be overlooked. However, a faulty HVAC system is of much higher importance due to the cost of repair/replacement. It is important to pick and choose your battles, so to speak.
By being reasonable with the seller, you could expect reciprocal treatment.
Appraisals
Most appraisers put forth great effort to perform a satisfactory appraisal on properties under contract. That being said, within the last two weeks, I ran across an appraiser that believed she could not use the most similar units (to the subject property) located in other buildings. She believed she was required to exclusively use properties that were sold and situated in the same building… Even though they were not similar. One did not even have an ocean view, whereas the subject property had a magnificent view!
If she had used a unit in the same building as a comparable, she should have adjusted her numbers to allow for a much better view, a deeded parking space, electric shutters, newer kitchen and baths, etc. Unfortunately, she decided to allow no additional value for those items.
When this occurs, the buyer can dispute the appraiser’s findings and request an adjustment.
Another option is for the seller to lower the price to fall within the appraiser’s findings.
3rd option: In my case, the buyer and seller split the difference. The buyer’s financing was such that would accept this agreement (some won’t).
Condominium documents
Condo docs are an important part of the transaction process. Condominium or Homeowner’s Association (HOA) documents provide all the information required to educate the buyer. The buyer is not expected to buy into a condo or property located in a homeowner’s or condo association without being well informed as to what the rules and regulations are for that specific property.
This is the buyer’s opportunity to learn how the property is managed when presented with the minutes of meetings and full financial disclosure as provided in the HOA/Condo docs. Most importantly, there are no surprises to the buyer such as costly special assessments.
Many buyers do not realize that upon receipt of the HOA or Condo docs, Maryland law allows the buyer at this point (no reason required) to terminate the sales agreement at his or her discretion.
There are a number of problems that may arise during the settlement process. If you are a buyer or seller, you may want to contact your local Realtor or attorney for assistance if you are considering a new property (or home) sale or purchase.
Ocean City, MD – (Nov. 8, 2018): The 26th anniversary of Winterfest of Lights, Ocean City’s beloved annual holiday festival, will open its doors for the season on Nov. 15, where festivities will commence with a magical tree lighting ceremony. The ceremony is free and open to the public. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Northside Park’s Winterfest Village at 127th Street and the bay.
Adding to the winter wonderland this year is a special performance by Ocean City Elementary School’s “OC Stars” performing holiday songs and dance. In addition, Mayor Rick Meehan will “flip the switch” to light the 50 foot Christmas tree and officially open the entire Winterfest of Lights event.
Santa will make a surprise appearance for the opening ceremony, which will feature free rides on the Winterfest Express train for the remainder of the evening. Be sure to check out all the fun, including new Instagram Hot Spots by Ripley’s, Candy Kitchen, IG Burton, Assateague National Seashore, and Jolly Roger.
Beginning Nov. 15, hours of operation will be Sunday – Thursday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Winterfest tickets are available and can be purchased in advance at the Ocean City Community Center and the Convention Center. Admission is $5 for those 12 years & older and FREE for those 11 years and younger.
After you’ve booked your caterer, or once you’ve narrowed down your options to a choice few, depending on the businesses’ protocol, comes the time for the tasting. The tasting gives you the chance to sample all the menu options that appeal to you the most, along with the ones you’re a little on the fence about. This is not to be confused with the cake tasting (unless your caterer provides the cake, too), which is just another glorious food sampling event you have to look forward to and another beacon of light in the dark and seemingly endless tunnel that is wedding planning (…just kidding!).
It’s an opportunity to try delicious and professionally-prepared dishes, but more than that, it’s the opportunity to perfect and fine-tune your menu into something you and all your friends and family can enjoy. You’ll want to narrow down what’s most important in your menu, then come prepared with a list of questions to ask your caterer, including but not limited to the ones below.
Every Marylander knows that every crab dip is different. Always ask to try the crab dip.
1.) Can I try ___ ?
Obviously you don’t want to try every option on the menu (…or maybe you do if the food’s just really good, but sadly, they probably won’t let you), and you don’t want to throw darts at random items on the menu for tasting, either. Hopefully the person who’s coordinating your tasting will ask you what you’re interested in, but if they don’t, make sure you tell them well beforehand.
The caterer might tell you how many of each item, from appetizers to entrees, you can try, and have you choose from there. Otherwise, limit yourself to the items you’re really on the fence about, since the purpose is to narrow down your options.
2.) Can I tweak this menu option?
It’s your big day and you want it to be perfect — your caterer should understand this — so don’t be too shy to ask how you might change a dish. If something would be perfect aside from one spice they may have added, or if you’d like it garnished differently, or if they could just add a pinch of garlic or cayenne or whatever, it’s always worth asking about. You should also consider any dietary restrictions that you and your guests may have, and then ask…
3.) Can this be made vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free?
Seriously, consider your friends and family when you’re choosing the menu. Obviously make sure there are dishes that you and your fiance will enjoy (not even just enjoy, but dream about for years and years to come), but don’t let your loved ones go hungry, either. Many people have meat, dairy and/or gluten restrictions (and other allergies, in fact — always good to consider those) and there should be at least a few options for those people besides the fruit and vegetable platters.
If there’s a dish that you think could accommodate these restrictions but you’re not too sure, just ask. My fiance and I tried some delicious roasted red potatoes and requested they be cooked with oil instead of butter so more of our friends can enjoy them.
4.) Where are these ingredients sourced from?
The food aspect of the wedding is likely going to swallow a large part of your overall budget, so you want the highest-quality ingredients your food budget can buy. If fresh fruits and vegetables and pasture-raised protein from local farms are important to you, be sure to make that known (and maybe do some research on which caterers provide that to begin with). It’s not especially hard to go all- or mostly-local with your food when you live on the Eastern Shore, where seafood, grain and vegetable farming, and chicken breeding are such a major economic force.
This question can also apply to your bar. Local craft beer is important to my fiance and I, so we plan on having at least two options from local breweries on tap.
5.) Where will the food stations be located?
This might not apply if you’re doing a strictly plated meal, but for those of us who are opting for the buffet/food station option, it’s important to ask the venue where these stations will be located. That way, maybe a little farther down the road when you’ve got all the big stuff taken care of and you’re working on the placement of the DJ, the dance floor, the decorations, and the general feng shui of the room, you can mark out where the food is going to go (hopefully not too far away from the tables).
A few other questions to keep on your back burner: What drinks will be served, or available, with this meal? Can we incorporate signature food items or cocktails? Is there a kids’ menu (ours includes chicken tenders and fries)? What is the caterer’s specialty (whatever it is, you should at least try it)? Will the caterer be providing linens and dinnerware? Can we take home the leftovers? Thar one may sound like a silly question, but hey, why let all that good food go to waste?
If you’re still in the catering research stage, Taste Events is a popular full-service wedding caterer based out of Bethany Beach, and The Shrimp Boat in Ocean City is a viable option for couples who love local seafood.
This may not be the most appetizing image, but sometimes it’s just too hard to get a “before” picture of a meal. That’s why they invented wedding photographers.
Ocean City is well-known for its holiday celebrations that begin in mid-November with Winterfest of Lights and end with a New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration, but a little to the west in Berlin, Maryland, small town living is elevated and ultra-festive. Local art and shopping, horse-driven carriage rides, lit-up trees and decorations, and a New Year’s ball drop of its own make Berlin the place to be this time of year. Consider taking some time out of your holiday in Ocean City to visit the charming town, or make the trip just for Berlin itself. In addition to the holiday festivities, America’s Coolest Small Town has plenty of lodging and dining options to make it well worth your visit any time of year.
After homemade, handcrafted gifts make the best gifts.
Berlin is a small town with a big artistic presence, housing art galleries, artists’ studios and museums, not to mention the inspiration its quaint, historic landscape provides. On the 2nd Friday of every month, from 6 – 8 p.m., Berlin’s art makes its way outside and local artists show off their paintings, sculptings, and the handmade items they have for sale. There’s a good chance you’ll even find the perfect holiday gifts for your art-loving loved ones (and if not, you can try again at Ocean City’s Holiday Shoppers Fair the weekend after Thanksgiving). Even if you don’t fall in love with any particular item at the Art Stroll, it’s at least a good excuse to wander Berlin’s picturesque downtown, which looks like it’s straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie this time of year.
Putting up the tree outside the historic Atlantic Hotel.
The holiday season in Berlin will officially start the day after Thanksgiving (because we’re totally not already listening to Christmas music now… That would be weird…) with the annual tree lighting ceremony outside the Atlantic Hotel at 6 p.m. Berlin Mayor Gee Williams will light the tree, local sculptor Eric Cantine will turn a block of ice into a piece of art, and the shops will be open late with special holiday deals. But if you hope to turn in early that night, you can always come back the next morning and shop your heart out at…
…Small Business Saturday, celebrated at independent shops and boutiques around the country the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Because who needs Black Friday when you can shop small and support your friends, neighbors, and the local economy? Small Business Saturday is a relatively recent tradition, originating in 2010 to encourage shoppers to support mom-and-pop shops across the country, and has grown steadily every year since. See if any of these locally-owned and wide-ranging shops appeal to you, and spend your Saturday shopping in Berlin.
If you hear the trotting of hooves and the jingling of bells in Berlin anytime near Christmas, you can be sure there’s a horse-driven carriage making its way around the corner. There’s no more festive way to take in all the scenery and the decorated homes and storefronts downtown than on a Christmas carriage ride, and what’s more, the rides are completely free. Check the corner of Pitts and Main Street for your Christmas carriage.
The streets will be looking like this by then for all we know!
Even at this point, I think we can all admit that 2018 has been an exceptionally long year. Whether it’s one that requires celebrating or lamenting is up to you, but regardless, we could all probably use an end-of-the-year blowout party and several glasses of champagne. Berlin’s annual New Year’s Eve Celebration starts at 6 p.m. with a mini ball drop for the kids, and at 10 p.m. for adults with an outdoor bar and entertainment followed by the big ball drop and fireworks at midnight.
If you’re missing Ocean City more than usual on these dreary November days, we’ve got just what you need. This Week in OC, or wherever you are, take a look at our new ‘n improved video pages (or head straight to our Youtube channel) to explore Ocean City even when you can’t be out and about.
That’s all for now. Things are certainly quieting down for the season, but sometimes that’s just how we like it.
Last Week’s News
Remembering Billy Thompson: Billy, of Billy’s Sub Shop and its many iterations that have been in Ocean City over the years, passed away in his Florida home last Saturday. He’s remembered for his generosity, his storytelling, and for bringing Philadelphia-style hoagies to Ocean City back in 1959.
William Thompson, the founder of Billy’s Sub Shop, brought subs and delivery to Ocean City in 1959. Billy passed away on Oct. 27, but his legacy lives on.
Just a drill: The Maryland National Guard joined local first responders in downtown Ocean City for emergency response training called “Operation Tourist Boom.”
WBOC TV 16 is Delmarva’s number one source for breaking news, local news, weather, sports, education and traffic information. WBOC covers Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia.
The race is on: Among the names that Ocean City residents will see on their ballots on Tuesday are Mayor Rick Meehan and his challenger Joe Hall, a former city councilman. The Town will be offering free bus service on election day to get voters to and from the polling center. No matter where you live, remember to go out and vote on Tuesday!
OCEAN CITY — When Ocean City voters head to the polls next week, they will have a pair of familiar names and faces to choose from in the mayor’s
#ThisWeekinOC
The Dueling Pianos (Nov. 6): The Red Doors, A St. Paul’s By-the-Sea Community Center presents a musical fundraiser, Dueling Pianos, featuring local celebrities Shirley Toms Hailey and Elsworth Wheatley. Shirley and Elsworth will take audience requests for all of your favorite songs. Singing along is strongly suggested!
Storm Warriors 5k (Nov. 10): Run from the Life-Saving Museum to 15th street and back at the annual Storm Warriors 5k Run/Walk. Registration is at 8 a.m. before the race, and the fee is $25. A 5K is 3.1 miles.
Winterfest of Lights (we’re a little early, but it starts Nov. 15): More than one million twinkling lights illuminate the winter sky during Winterfest of Lights. Ride a tram through a winter wonderland while Christmas carols play, then enjoy a hot chocolate or get a picture taken with Santa in the heated Winterfest Village Pavilion. Admission is $5 for adults, while children 11 and under get in for free.
William “Billy” Thompson, the founder of Billy’s Sub Shop, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 27 at his home in Florida.
The impact that Billy made on Ocean City, beginning in the mid-20th century, is subtle but strong; Everyone who knew Billy has a story about him, or can at least remember the stories that Billy himself would tell. Billy’s own story in Ocean City starts in 1959. Even when he retired in 2002 his story continued, and even now after his passing, Billy’s legacy lives on.
In 1959, hoagies make their debut in Ocean City
An old iteration of Billy’s. Click to enlarge.
Billy’s sub shops have lined the streets of Ocean City for the past six+ decades, from a handful of now-defunct locations on 28th Street, in the Oyster Bay Shopping Center and in the 94th Street mall, to the two restaurants that are still in operation on 139th Street and on Route 54 in Fenwick Island, DE. But where Billy’s originated, off the Boardwalk on Wicomico Street, today serves as the corporate office for Dolle’s Candyland. It’s thanks to the founder of Dolles, in fact, that Billy was able to open up his first shop and bring classic Italian hoagies to Ocean City in the first place.
In the late 1950s, Billy was working in Delaware Park and would frequently make stops in Westchester, PA to pick up a few Philadelphian hoagies. He’d bring them back to work and introduce the subs to his co-workers, who had never before experienced the taste of an Italian coldcut sub.
“His wife at the time, she was the granddaughter of the founder of Dolle’s,” recalled William “Biff” Neely, the current owner of Billy’s. “He brought this thing to the grandfather and said look, these people here are buying them left and right, I think I can make a business selling these.”
In 1959, Billy’s grandfather-in-law let him build a sub shop out of a storage shed behind Dolle’s, and the rest is history.
Billy on his scooter in front of Billy’s Sub Shop, 1960: “Where a sandwich makes a meal.”
“He was a father figure to everybody.”
Billy was a businessman at heart, and he was always thinking up ways to make a buck. In fact, after the nor’easter that famously hit Ocean City in 1962, he switched to gas appliances to ensure he’d be able to stay in business even after a natural disaster; immediately after the storm, when everyone else in town was surveying the damage, Billy was sweeping the sand off his equipment and selling hotdogs and hamburgers on the boardwalk.
More than that, though, Billy’s employees and former employees remember him as a father figure. He had three children of his own, but he also had a family at his restaurant.
“I had come down here and my father had died two years before, so he knew that and we latched to each other as a father figure, son figure,” Biff said. “I had a lady that was my manager at the time, she had lost her father. There was four or five of us that worked here for years and he was just like a father to us.”
Biff was hired in 1986, even though that May when he arrived in Ocean City seeking employment, Billy wasn’t hiring. But Biff realized that Billy was a betting man when he overheard him and two of his managers betting $100 to whichever one of them could lose 10 lbs first. Biff then bet Billy, “If I can go out and make a pizza in under a minute, you’ll hire me on the spot.”
Billy and his managers laughed and said it couldn’t be done, but they took him up on the bet anyway.
“At the time the minimum wage was about $2.65 an hour and I said, if you hire me, I want $3.50,” remembered Biff. He made his pizza in under a minute and began his career at Billy’s, starting salary $3.50 an hour.
Anne Neely, another former employee of Billy’s, remembered that she’d been hired because she wrote on her resume that she’d been skydiving before.
Biff Neely, Anne Neely and Billy Thompson, 1990s.
“The town grew around him.”
The North Ocean City Billy’s was once called “Billy’s on the Beach” because it was literally right on the beach. That was back when 140th Street was considered Fenwick Island, and Ocean City didn’t stretch much past 17th Street, aside from the Carousel and a few scattered beach cottages.
Billy ran a few beach stands in his spare time, and would have beachgoers ask him to make them a pizza or a burger. He’d run back into the shop, cook their food, and run it back onto the beach.
Biff remembered one story (of many) from Billy, from a time when the side of the street across from Billy’s oceanfront restaurant was nothing but woods.
“One night he was bored, he’s open, the old sub shop has serving windows in the front,” Biff said. “So he got his gun, he’d just cleaned his gun and he wanted to make sure it was okay, so he pointed across the street and started shooting into the woods. There’s nothing around here. Half hour later, the police come up and say, “Billy, someone reported gunshots,” and he says, “I’ve been here all night, I haven’t heard anything.” And the police was just like “oh okay, have a good night.” That was probably early 70s.”
Vintage Billy’s on 140th Street.
Everyone who knew Billy seemed to have a story about him. Some even shared their memories and their condolences on Billy’s Sub Shop’s Facebook page.
“Oh no!! So sad to hear this!! Such a funny man— back in 1986 I was training at the sub shop and he said—. “First I will show you how to put ice in a cup!”. I guess I looked dumb. RIP Billy!!”
“I met Billy in 1970( I was 12) and he took me under his wing, gave me my first job and even had me run a beach-stand for him. For ten summers he was a part of my family’s life… Both of my sisters worked at Billy’s He was a great man who taught me many things and I’ll miss him. My sincerest sympathies to his family.”
“Wow. RIP Billy. Knew him in the 70’s. Great man, would give us a free sub if we were short. God bless =Prayers to the family.”
“I’m so sorry, he is the reason why I absolutely love provolone cheese. I have a lot of memories at the sub shop”
Billy will be remembered for his generosity, his ability to fill a room with his stories, and his subs, still being made today, that he first brought to Ocean City in 1959. He will be laid to rest in Baltimore on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
The first Billy’s on Wicomico St 1959Billy’s Sub Shop at Jolly Roger’s in 1968There was once a Billy’s on 29th Street, pictured here in 1972. This is now Tommy’s Sub ShopBilly’s on 140th Street in the 1970’sBilly’s on 140th Street. Ocean City grew up around the sub shop.
