Ocean City, Maryland – (August 29, 2018): Former Ocean City mayor Roland E. “Fish” Powell passed away in his home on Wednesday morning, surrounded by his family. It was just days before his 90th birthday. Mayor Powell served as they Mayor of Ocean City from 1985-1996, and also held positions as Volunteer Fire Chief, City Council President and and President of the Worcester County Commissions.
“Fish was friend, mentor and good example of what a true leader should be,” commented Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. “Under his leadership the town successfully transitioned as both the season and the year round population began to grow. Just look around and you can see where the success we enjoy today can be directly attributed to Fish. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jeannie and his family. We all loved Fish and will miss him.”
Mayor Powell is remembered for his down to earth personality and compelling leadership ability, and for using his strong relationships with local, State and Federal representatives to advance the future of Ocean City. Projects such as beach replenishment and the growth of the Ocean City Convention Center, which now bears his name, are largely attributed to his commitment to grow, protect and serve the Ocean City community.
“Fish Powell guided Ocean City through a sea of change as it transitioned its form of government, and the town grew exponentially,” commented City Councilman and former City Manager Dennis Dare. “I am forever grateful for his friendship and mentoring.”
A memorial service will be held on what would have been his 90th birthday, September 5, for Mayor Powell at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.
If you were staying in a hotel on Ocean City’s bayside last Wednesday evening, you may have looked out your window only to see a 115-foot long Viking ship sailing south toward the Inlet. And even if you’re familiar with El Galeon, the 17th century Spanish galleon replica that dropped anchor in Ocean City last August, the Draken traversing the waters of Delmarva was very much a sight to behold.
Translated in English to Dragon Harold Fairhair, the Draken Harald Hårfagre was named after the first king of Norway, its native country. Construction on the ship began in March of 2010, and at 115 feet long, 26 feet wide and with a 79-foot tall mast, it is the largest Viking ship ever built in the modern era. The Draken first set sail in 2012, tentatively making its way along the coast of Norway before making its first ocean voyage to Liverpool, England in 2014.
In 2016 the ship took its first tour of North America in “Expedition America 2016,” returning now in 2018 to tour America’s East Coast. The ship sailed south from Greenport, New York before making its stop in Ocean City, and it will make additional stops in Philadelphia, PA, Norfolk, VA, Washington, D.C. and Mystic Seaport, CT before heading back home in October.
If you have a chance to take a tour of the Draken before it heads back north to PA, absolutely do it! The ship sails out on Wednesday morning, and tickets to tour the boat are $12 for adults and $6 for children. The photos below are just a taste of what you’ll experience on board the ship, but you won’t really start to feel like a Viking until you step foot on the Draken.
All aboard: The ship docked on Ocean City’s bayside at 3rd Street on Wednesday, Aug. 22, and will depart the following Wednesday morning. The ship was inspired by real Viking ships found in Norway. Archaeological findings have shown that such ships were beautifully ornamented, hence the traditional dragon’s head at the Draken’s bow.Visitors board the ship on a Saturday morning. At its Ocean City stopover, the Draken saw steady traffic every day from interested and awed onlookers.Enter at your own risk! You might find real Vikings waiting for you on board.And watch your step.The Draken’s crew is made up of 34 men and women who hail from all over the world and sail as real Vikings did centuries ago. Back in the days of the Vikings, birds were kept on the ship and released when the crew thought they were near land. If the birds came back, they knew they had more sailing to do. Although docked on land, these birds did not go anywhere.
Itchy rashes, a “prickling” feeling in the ocean, discomfort under the bathing suit: Maryland’s Eastern Shore is currently in the throes of a sea lice outbreak, and if you’ve suffered from any of the above symptoms after swimming in the ocean, you may have been bitten by the minuscule larvae. This week, the Ocean City Beach Patrol has responded to several calls from beachgoers who have been affected by sea lice, and recommend that all swimmers rinse off with fresh water after going in the ocean.
What are sea lice?
The sea lice that affect beach-goers are actually jellyfish — real sea lice are parasites that only affect fish, but the jellyfish larvae were misnomered “sea lice” after an outbreak in the 1950s, and the name stuck. They’re also sometimes fittingly known as “seabather’s eruption.”
The sea lice that are stinging swimmers in Ocean City are, in fact, the tiny jellyfish larvae. Florida’s Gulf Coast is a region where sea lice outbreaks frequently occur, and according to the state’s Department of Health, “If pressure occurs from exercising, surf boards, lying on the beach, etc., stinging cells are released causing itching, irritation and welts.” The larvae are also commonly found in hair, in addition to the skin, but they are not related to head lice.
How do I know if I have sea lice?
The larvae make their presence known by causing itching, irritation and welts, and if you suspect you’ve been affected by sea lice, you probably have. Some, but not most, people experience a “prickling” sensation while in the water, but in most cases, sea lice are detected a few hours after being in the ocean when the itching starts.
The itching typically lasts 2-4 days, but can last as long as two weeks. More severe reactions include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, urethritis and infected blisters, and children may develop a high fever.
How can I avoid sea lice, and what do I do if I have them?
To avoid sea lice: The most obvious way to avoid sea lice is to avoid swimming in areas where their presence is known. If you’re unsure whether your spot on the beach is safe from sea lice, ask a lifeguard. The Florida Health Department also advised swimmers to avoid wearing t-shirts and to cover up with sunscreen, which can reduce contact with the larvae.
If you think you have sea lice: Shower immediately after getting out of the ocean. “Our best advice is to rinse with fresh water,” said a spokesperson for the Ocean City Beach Patrol in a Facebook post. They said they have received several calls from swimmers afflicted with sea lice in the past few days, and that the Eastern Seaboard is currently “experiencing this natural phenomenon.”
Even if you’re not itching yet, it’s always a good idea to take that extra precaution by rinsing off with your bathing suit removed. Because sea lice hide under bathing suits, swimmers should wash their suits thoroughly with detergent and heat try rather than air dry before wearing them again. Antihistamines and topical creams can be used to help stop itching.
Ocean City, MD – (August 22, 2018): This October, for the first time ever, the Ocean City Museum Society will offer a Historic House Tour, to take place on Saturday, October 13th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This event will allow those that have an interest in local history to step into the past as they tour some of Ocean City’s oldest homes, hotels and other iconic sites. An interpreter will be at each site to discuss the unique history of the building. Some of the sites available for touring include an Inn at the Ocean B&B, The Walker Cottage, The George Bert Cropper House, and St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church.
The Historic House Tour is a fundraiser that will help strengthen and grow the George and Suzanne Hurley Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is open to Stephen Decatur High School graduates who plan on furthering their education at Salisbury University, Wor-Wic Community College, or UMES. Annually, the Museum awards one student, who can effectively demonstrate through essay, the historical significance of a community member, landmark, or event.
If you’ve been in Ocean City since Aug. 17, you may have seen a handful of narwhals, or “sea unicorns,” in businesses along the Boardwalk. Until the 30th, visitors aged 13 and under will have the chance to take part in Ocean City’s First Annual Narwhal Hunt.
The Narwhal Hunt, sponsored by the Ocean City Downtown Association, gives kids a chance to win their own stuffed narwhal, all while bringing more foot traffic to Boardwalk businesses where the narwhals are located and supporting local small businesses.
Children who are 13 and under can pick up their card, one per person, at the Ocean City Downtown Association Information Booth between North Division and Caroline streets, or at any of the 10 participating locations. These include:
At each of the 10 locations, kids can “find the narwhal” and a staff member will stamp their card. After they’ve received all 10 stamps, the card should be returned to the Information Booth on the Boardwalk by Aug. 30 and participants will receive their prize and an entry into a drawing for gifts from participating Boardwalk merchants.
Want to learn more about narwhals?
Free narwhal story and education sessions will be held outside the Life-Saving Station Museum Aug. 20 – 23 and Aug. 27 – 30 at 1 p.m.
Narwhals have small rounded heads, short flippers with upturned tips, and no dorsal fin but an uneven dorsal ridge along the spine… [They are] one of three whale species that spend their entire lives in the Arctic—the others being bowhead and beluga whales. Narwhals are animals of myth and legend and could have been the basis for the mythical unicorn. Narwhal males (and some females) have two teeth, the left of which grows into a long clockwise-spiraled tusk extending forward from the head. Scars on narwhal males suggest that they use their tusks to joust. Narwhals are hunted for their ivory tusks, blubber, and meat.
For more information on the Narwhal Hunt, visit www.downtownassociation.net or email ocdowntownassociation@verizon.net.
OCEAN CITY, Md. (Aug. 20, 2018) — The Town of Ocean City will soon have a new source for around 20% of its annual energy use: Constellation, an Exelon company, is breaking ground on a 10 megawatt (DC) solar energy project at the intersection of Routes 50 and 90, 10 miles west of downtown Ocean City.
The installation of solar panels will provide energy for several of the town’s major buildings, including City Hall, the Convention Center and the water plant.
“This solar array is a leading project of its kind and a true example of the Town of Ocean City’s commitment to renewable energy and a sustainable future for our resort community,” Mayor Rick Meehan said. “Thanks to our continued collaboration with Constellation, in the first year, the Town of Ocean City will receive nearly 6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity from this solar generation project, and a lower energy rate than conventional renewable electricity supply, saving Ocean City taxpayers an expected $120,000 per year.”
The system is expected to produce more than 5.6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity for the Town of Ocean City and reduce carbon emissions by nearly 4,200 metric tons in the first year, the greenhouse gas equivalent of 899 passenger vehicles driven, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates.
Once complete, the solar project will add 10 megawatts of solar generation to Delmarva Power’s Maryland service area, satisfying a key commitment of Exelon’s 2016 merger with Pepco Holdings.
“We are proud to help the Town of Ocean City support the continued adoption of renewable energy in the state of Maryland,” said Brendon Quinlivan, Executive Director of Distributed Energy Origination for Constellation. “This type of project offers our customers a clean energy solution that blends onsite renewables and contracted offsite renewables, as well as the more traditional power and gas supply contracts provided by Constellation throughout the U.S.”
In addition to Ocean City, Eastman Chemical Company will procure a portion of the solar project’s production to power its manufacturing facility in Chestertown, Md. In total, the solar project consists of more than 30,000 photovoltaic panels on 113 acres of land.
United Renewable Energy will provide day-to-day oversight and coordination throughout the construction process. The project is slated to be completed before the end of 2018.
Ocean City, Maryland – (August 20, 2018): As Ocean City’s seasonal employees begin to head home, the Ocean City Beach Patrol is reminding beachgoers that the number of surf rescue technicians, AKA lifeguards, who work on the beach day-to-day will also decrease. There will be no unguarded areas of the beach, but the number of occupied lifeguard towers will change the location and distance between stands, sometimes on a daily basis.
While weekday coverage will be reduced, the OCBP will have returning surf rescue technicians to allow increased stands on weekends, and will increase the number of mobile rescue units patrolling the beach to assist with coverage. This annual reduced coverage structure begins the third week in August and is largely due to the start of college classes, as well as the return of the Ocean City Beach Patrol’s (O
The Ocean City Beach Patrol will be on duty daily between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. through Sunday, September 23. As weekly coverage reduces, the Beach Patrol suggests taking extra precaution and making sure to walk the short distance to swim near a lifeguard. In addition, OCBP encourages all beach patrons to restrict any beach or water-related activities to times when beach patrol personnel are on duty.
Remember… Keep Your Feet In the Sand Until a Lifeguard’s In the Stand!
On Friday, the indoor area of Trimper Rides was the site of celebration for the amusement park and the fourth- and fifth-generation family members that keep the rides operating. Governor Hogan, Comptroller Peter Franchot, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and other dignitaries were in attendance, speaking about the impact that Trimper’s has had on Ocean City and the state of Maryland over the years and presenting the Trimper family with citations recognizing the fun that Trimper’s has brought families for now 125 years.
“The year was 1893,” said Trimper’s Vice President Stephanie Trimper Lewis. “Grover Cleveland was being sworn in as our 24th president. Thomas Edison was finishing another invention and constructing the first motion picture studio. The new invention at the World’s Fair was the first ferris wheel ride — that’s appropriate. And down here in Ocean City, my great grandparents Dan and Margaret Trimper opened up two hotels along the beach.”
Her great grandparents had visited Ocean City several years prior to their move, Stephanie continued. When they went home to Baltimore, they ended their catering business and sold their bar. They opened up two hotels on the Boardwalk, The Eastern Shore and The Sea Bright, but Daniel Trimper wasn’t content just being a hotelier, Stephanie said. His passion was for entertainment and amusements.
In the outdoor pavilion of the Sea Bright Hotel, the Trimpers began offering live theater, boxing matches, gambling, billiards, a bar, dancing, a shooting gallery, a roller rink, a live alligator exhibit, and the carousel that still goes round in the amusement park today.
“I can only imagine how delighted he would be 125 years later to see how his vision has grown,” she said.
A vintage look at a ferris wheel and adult fairy whip.
The oldest family-owned amusement park in the world*
Celebrating its 125th year, Trimper’s is verifiably the oldest operating family-owned amusement park in the United States, but many consider it the oldest family-owned park in the world. To some, Trimper’s ranks second to England’s Blackgang Chine, but according to amusement park historian Jim Futrell, Blackgang Chine wasn’t really an amusement park until after Trimper’s was established. An argument could certainly be made that Trimper’s is the oldest family-operated park in the world, and we like to think that it is, anyway.
Here’s a quick look back at that oldest amusement park’s long and storied history here in Ocean City. Images courtesy of trimpersrides.com.
1890: Daniel and Margaret Trimper, great-great grandparents of the park’s current owners, first arrive in Ocean City.
1893: Just three years later, the Trimpers now own several properties on the Boardwalk spanning South Division and South First Streets.
1900: One of their hotels, the Sea Bright, is destroyed by a storm. They rebuild, and model their new building after Great Britain’s Windsor Castle, calling it the Windsor Resort. It features a theater and an amusement park within its walls.
Flappers ride the carousel back in the ride’s early days.
1912: The famous Trimper carousel, made by the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, NY, is purchased. This is one of the oldest continually-operating carousels in the U.S. Trimper’s website describes the initial mechanics and cost to ride the merry-go-round:
The merry-go-round’s forty-five animals, three chariots and one rocking chair were driven by a steam engine; rides originally cost just a nickel. One-hundred years later, the ride (now electrified) costs you four tickets, or $2.00 – unless you buy the discounted package of 40 tickets for eighteen dollars, and then your ride only costs $1.80.
1950s: The park expands to include outdoor rides.
1983: The business expands even further, and The Inlet Village Shoppes at the very south end of the Boardwalk are built. Today the Inlet Village includes 14 retail shops and restaurants Harrison’s Harbor Watch and The Frog Bar.
The Rides
Many of the Trimper’s rides are fan favorites; the Himalaya, which first opened in 1976, is among them.
There’s currently upwards of 40 rides on the premises, some indoors and some outdoors, some new and many others dating back to the early 20th century. Here’s a list of the rides that are operating at Trimper’s as of this article’s publication.
Outdoor Rides
The Herschell-Spillman Carousel, circa 1912: The carousel was made a historic landmark in 2007.
The Haunted House: This dark ride was built in 1964 by Bill Tracy. We’ve writtena bitabout this cult classic, which was said to be Granville Trimper’s favorite.
Pirate’s Cove: A dark funhouse also built by Bill Tracy, this one in 1971.
The Tidal Wave (1986): An Ocean City landmark, this looping roller coaster is a staple of the OC skyline and visible from well across the bay.
The indoor area of Trimper’s is filled with antique kiddie rides, many of them manufactured by famed amusement manufacturer William F. Mangels. Mangels’ creations include the 1920s era kiddie ferris wheel, the boats that sail on a track past a fishing village mural, and the Fairy Whip, whippin’ kids around the track since the ’20s.
Other indoor rides include the smaller merry-go-round (1920s), the Flying Ace Airplanes, Big Dodgem and the smaller Kiddie Dodgem Bumper Cars, Fire Engines (1920s), Hampton I & II classic car rides and the Wild West Train.
For those who might be interested in looking at a much more thorough and detailed history of Trimper’s Rides, I recommend this fantastic Images of America book.
This article was originally posted on 9/16/17 and updated for the 2018 season –ed.
The air might be feeling cooler and the kids might be back in school, but it’s still summer. And that’s the mantra until September 22. And then on September 22, the first day of fall, the new mantra becomes “only 272 days until summer!”
The Town of Ocean City feels your pain. That’s why Ocean City and its neighboring communities always have a few end-of-September festivals up their sleeve to ease the transition from summer to fall and let you kick back and enjoy some of the last warm, stress-free vacation days of the year. Sometimes, as seen in this year’s festival lineup, a few drinks are understandably involved. Still, all of the following events that summer 2018 has in store are family friendly and just waiting for you to come have a good time and take your mind off the future and “real life” for a night or two.
We’ve been talking about ArtX a lot lately, but only because it’s so, so cool, and this year marks the first one ever. If you’ve ever been to Arts Alive, ArtX is similar — at least, it’s in the same location, Northside Park — but with much more. Artists will be working and selling their arts and crafts while films from the Ocean City Film Fest are screened, live bands perform (including the Original Wailers!), art workshops are held and fun games and activities go on all day long. Food, craft beer and wine will be for sale, and there will be tons of fun to be had by art lovers of all ages.
This one might be a bit obvious, but if you’re looking to celebrate the last week of summer in Ocean City, you’re going to want to do it at Sunfest. Not only are there tons of things to do at the over 40-year-old annual festival (music, food, vendors, arts ‘n crafts, etc., etc., etc.) but wandering the Inlet during the festival is totally free, and the weather is almost always perfect–still warm, but with a comfortable breeze welcoming in autumn.
Just hop on a tram and make your way down to the Inlet for a weekend of fun in the sun. (Clara Vaughn | Ocean City Today)
If you’ve ever passed by the Kite Loft on 5th street and looked on longingly at the kites flying high outside of the store, Kite Fest is your opportunity to get in on the action. Coinciding with Sunfest each year, hundreds of kites of every shape, color and design take to the skies during Kite Fest to “wow!” onlookers with the beauty of the spectacle. Even if you can’t fly a kite without getting tangled in the line, the display is worth a look at the sky.
Some kites seem less like traditional kites and more like giant inflatable sand ornaments, but if it flies, it flies! (Photo courtesy of The Kite Loft)
This year marks historic Berlin, MD’s 26th Fiddlers Convention. Fiddlers and string bands from all over the U.S. gather in Berlin to play bluegrass, Americana, folk and country music and to compete in the fiddlin’ competition. The convention is a time-honored tradition in Berlin and while it might sound niche, the Fiddlers Convention has always proved to be a great time for families and musical connoisseurs alike.
Tim and Savannah Finch with the Eastman String Band will be one of the convention’s headlining acts.
The end of summer and beginning of fall also marks beer festival season on the Shore. On the second Saturday of September, Ocean City’s oldest beer fest Brews on the Beach will celebrate its 10th year. That particular festival, hosted by Fin City and Shore Craft Beer, is all about celebrating the “art of craft” and is the best party on the beach complete with live music, games, vendors and food from Hooper’s available for sale. OCtoberfest is a super seasonal beer festival at Sunset Park with food trucks, music and always a handful of dogs wearing their spookiest (and cutest) Halloween costumes. Both festivals boast tons of local craft beer and beautiful views of Ocean City and its waterways.
No pictures from MARSH Fest since it’s never happened before, but if it’s anything like last week’s 9th Shore Craft Beer Brews on the Beach, it’s sure to be a great time.
Maybe beer’s not your thing. That’s okay–wine is an option, too. Wine Fest (and OCtoberfest, for that matter) technically takes place in the fall season, but since you’re drinking on the beach, you’ll probably be able to pretend it’s still summer, anyway. This year’s 23rd annual festival will feature Maryland wineries and will also include a selection of craft beer, food, arts and crafts and live music.
(Annapolis, Md, 8/16/18): Governor Larry Hogan announced today that he has authorized the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA), in conjunction with the Town of Ocean City, to move forward with the final phase of the Roland E. Powell Convention Center addition and renovation.
The $34 million project will be funded via $20 million from the state of Maryland through the MSA, and Ocean City’s contribution of $14 million.
“This facility has long been an important economic driver for Ocean City, bringing in thousands of visitors for conferences and events like MACo and allowing local businesses to stay open and continue to hire year-round,” said Governor Hogan. “I want to thank Mayor Meehan, as well as the team at the Maryland Stadium Authority, for working with us to make today’s announcement possible. With their partnership, we are able to speed up this important project, which is expected to have an economic impact of as much as $67 million and continue creating jobs right here on the Eastern Shore.”
Governor Hogan made the announcement in Ocean City at the Convention Center during the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) 2018 Summer Conference. He was joined by joined by Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan, Maryland Stadium Authority Chairman Tom Kelso and Executive Director Michael Frenz, and Ocean City Convention Center Executive Director Larry Noccolino.
Legislation will be submitted for the 2019 session of the Maryland General Assembly to allow MSA the needed capacity to finance the project
The Convention Center brings visitors to Ocean City year-round and allows local businesses to stay open even during the off-season, in addition to providing full-time emloyment for Marylanders. Currently, the convention center has existing clients whose events have outgrown the facility and may seek out-of-state alternatives.
“The expansion of the Convention Center is important to Ocean City and the State of Maryland. Not only does the Convention Center generate revenue locally but has a positive economic impact on the State,” said Mayor Meehan. “We are thankful for the support of Governor Hogan and the partnership with the Maryland Stadium Authority.”
Market research suggests that the expansion will allow the convention center to better accommodate existing users, as well as attract new business in niches that are well-suited to Ocean City’s strengths, including state and regional organizations, trade shows, and sports competitions that attract overnight attendees who look for affordable family-friendly destinations. The expansion is expected to create between 470 and 670 new jobs.
“The Maryland Stadium Authority values our successful partnership with the Town of Ocean City and is pleased to partner once again on a project that provides enjoyment and a positive return on investment for Marylanders,” said Chairman Kelso.
MSA previously partnered with the Town of Ocean City on two additional expansions of the Ocean City Convention Center since the original expansion in 1996.
The Roland E. Powell Ocean City Convention Center currently offers approximately 60,000 square feet of exhibit space, 19,126 square feet of ballroom space, 23,295 square feet of meeting space, a 1,200 seat Performing Arts Center and 1,320 parking spaces. The conceptual design documents suggest that the existing site is capable of accommodating an expansion of the exhibit hall space by 30,000 square feet, and will address the resulting parking needs of the facility. The Town of Ocean City will again request that MSA manage design and construction.
Sometimes, you just gotta get away from it all… While still seeking out some thrills, beating the summer heat and keeping the little ones happy, too.
It sounds like a lot, but it can truly all be accomplished at Jolly Roger Splash Mountain Water Park. Surely you’ve seen the Jolly Roger Ferris Wheel as you drive past 30th Street on Coastal Highway, but look a little further towards the bay and you’ll also see slides that tower hundreds of feet into the sky, and hear the screamin’ sounds of kids having fun.
I recently spent the day at Splash Mountain, and even though I’m a giant kid and thoroughly enjoyed almost all of the slides (only chickening out of one!), I found that there’s a good amount of fun for adults, too, thanks to the wave pool, the lazy river and the general sunbathing. There were plenty of food and drinks available for purchase, but what’s nice about the park is that you’re allowed to reenter and bring outside food and coolers in, too. On certain days you’ll find the Splash Mountain Mermaids lounging around the kiddie pool, and on every day you’ll find lots of fun and excitement of every thrill level.
You’ve got the ocean to the east and the bay to the west, but sometimes the only water you want is careening down a fiberglass slide at 1,000 miles a minute.
BEFORE: The Jolly Roger pirate sits innocently at the top of the Rainforest Play Area. It’s one of the first things you see when you walk into the park, and you’ll want to walk around it, not under, when staking out your lounge chairs, because…AFTER! It soaks everyone in its path (if a rambunctious park-goer didn’t already get you with one of the many water guns).Flowers are in bloom all around the park. Here, they frame the 6-Person Speed Slide, but don’t let this view fool you…It’s called a Speed Slide for a reason! Going down on just a tiny raft, you almost feel like you’re flying as you race down. (By the time you get to the bottom, your heart’s racing too fast to even care who won).Charlotte and Yasemin goofing off near the Splash Pad.Tops of the Eye of the Hurricane and the Aqualoop. For those thrill-chasers wondering what the most treacherous slide in Ocean City might be, I will direct you to the Aqualoop. The ground literally is pulled from beneath your feet, sending you speeding down 480 feet and through a 360-degree loop before you hit the bottom. (This is the one that I did not try!)Here’s the top from another angle… As soon as a person is sent down via the trap door, the transparent slide allows you to see their shadow flying through. (Again, no, I did not participate!)This one is called Stealth. The vertical ramp is kind of shaped like a half-pipe, so it feels just like skateboarding, only much more terrifying.Here’s another look at the Hurricane and the Aqualoop, and the wave pool just below them, a much more relaxing attraction.The Jolly Roger ferris wheel through the gate bars of Splash Mountain. Once it gets dark and Splash Mountain shuts down, it’s time to head to the dry rides.
Ocean City, MD – (August 10, 2018): Although a fine art event is not new to the portfolio of special events in Ocean City, a cultural exhibition with a wide array of offerings is different for our coastal community. ArtX, which focuses on artistic expression as the fundamental theme, will celebrate its inaugural year August 25-26 at Northside Park. Allowing it to grow beyond the boundaries of the 17-year-old Art’s Alive event, ArtX will host fine artisan exhibits, musical performances, activities, short films and paid workshops by the Art League of Ocean City.
Most long-time Ocean City visitors and residents are familiar with ‘Arts Alive,’ the weekend-long fine arts show in Northside Park each summer where artists showcase their work and families walk around enjoying food, drinks and live music.
ArtX will feature art categories including painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, mixed media and fine wood. Visitors can take in artisan demonstrations, participate in children’s activities and go one step further by joining an Art League of Ocean City workshop on site to polish their own ARTistic Xpression.
At the end of the first day, guests can stay for a special concert by The Original Wailers – produced and sponsored by T.E.A.M. Productions. This special free concert will take place at 8 p.m. on ArtX’s West Lagoon Field of Northside Park. Bring your own chairs or blankets for seating.
ArtX will feature additional music from up and coming artists on the outdoor stage, including Robert Paul Canfield, Pressing Strings, Rivers and Rhodes, Cecilia Grace Taylor Knox and The Breakers. Paige Glass – a 13-year-old singer and songwriter, and BITSUNE – an up and coming electronic music duo out of Spain, round out the list of talent to appear on stage at ArtX.
For the film enthusiasts, ArtX offers the best of the best from Art League of Ocean City’s Film Festival. Short films and documentaries are scheduled both days with opportunities to interact with the producers. Saturday brings in films from Ocean City locals and films about Ocean City. Sunday focuses on youth films in the morning and documentaries in the early afternoon.
“Ocean City is a wonderful destination for all ages and ArtX is designed to be a valuable experience for that wide demographic as well,” said Frank Miller, Director of Special Events for the Town of Ocean City. “You can bring your chair, find your plot of grass and enjoy a day of unique music; shop for true artwork and creative additions for the house; then take part in activities and workshops. It’s not all outside either; so you can get out of the sun and into air conditioning for the films, workshops and some of the activities.”
Food and beverages are also available on site including a selection of beer, wine and craft beer benefiting the Art League of Ocean City with special thanks to ShoreCraftBeer.com. Event hours are Saturday, August 25 from noon to 8 p.m.and Sunday, August 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.The event is quickly followed by Sundaes in the Park at Northside Park, which includes live music by Ragdoll (a Frankie Valli Tribute Band) and fireworks.
Just kidding. But because we received a wide variety of submissions this week, I decided to not pigeonhole them into any specific theme and just arrange them from sunrise to sunset. In between you’ll find beach, Boardwalk, birds, and lots of kids having fun, which is exactly what Ocean City is all about.
This week we have two winners. Kathy, who submitted a super-cute photo of her grandson Brady feeding the seagulls (see below) is getting two passes to Jolly Roger, because she actually mailed her photo to our office, and it’s the first mail-in submission I ever received. And I love getting mail. So thanks, Kathy, and we’re happy to hear that Brady had a fun vacation! The second winner of the week, chosen at random, is Christy, who submitted a picture of her boogie-boardin’ daughter.
From the looks of the submissions we’ve received this summer, lots of families are having lots of fun here on vacation. Take advantage of these last few weeks before back-to-school season hits, and soak up all the sun you can!
Morning 8/1/2018. Photo taken 82nd street balcony.Sunrise over the ocean with lifeguard stand near 89th St. July 30th 2018 at 6:26am.My husband and I biking on the boardwalk at OC in 2016.My grandson, Brady Park 18 mos) had a great time feeding the birds.Grandson Haakon 15 mo old , Frontier town water park on 8/7/18My son enjoying a refreshing fruit punch bowl at Da Lazy Lizard in OcMD on June 19th 2018.All American fun in the sun!Katrina digging in the sand at 41st un july.Taken on 94th street beach. July 2018. This is my 6 year old daughter with her brand new boogie board from K-Coast.My mermaid boogie boarding on 139thI took this photo of my very fancy 6 year old daughter, Annabelle last Sunday on the beach at 83rd street, where we are lucky enough to spend the bulk of our summer. I love that my kids are able to spend so much time in a place like OC! I love that they are spending so much time outside enjoying such a beautiful place, away from tablets and the TV.This is one year old Hudson Alexander chilling out on 12th street beach in Ocean City.3 year old Sawyer Alexander jumping waves on 12th street. Pure joy. Ocean beauties!!Rainbow on the Boardwalk. 14th Street after a brief rainshower that chased everyone off the sand. This was taken in front of the Harrison Hall Hotel where we are staying at 4pm on August the 8th 2018. It was so beautiful to see!!Rainbow after storm on 134th street on 7/29/18Submission from Amy Smith on Facebook.Ocean City Beach Patrol walking a lost boy back to his momma taken on 72nd streetSunset on the bay- taken on July 26th. 2018 at mackeys in ocean city, Maryland.My Irish dancing daughter dancing on the beach at Sunset.Grace Bailey dancing on the beach in Ocean City during the 10pm light show! Saturday August 4th.Moonlight on 13th, Beach Plaza Hotel Bocon Apartments, July 30th, 2018.
En plein air means, simply, outdoors. Plein air painting is the act of painting outside. Ocean City, with its dunes and marshes and myriad other natural wonders, is a plein air destination. Every summer, 50 artists who hail from all across Maryland and beyond spend a week capturing Ocean City on their canvases with oil, watercolor and chalk pastels.
The Art League of Ocean City hosts the event, and after three days (and one Saturday morning) of painting, the artists return to the Art League with their finished works where paintings are juried and prizes are awarded. The week culminates with a Quick Draw competition on Sunday morning in downtown Ocean City, followed by a Wet Paint Sale where the general public can purchase the very work they just saw in the process of creation. The unsold paintings will then be on display in the Galleria of the Ocean City Center for the Arts from Aug. 12 – Sept. 4.
There’s nothing more magical than taking an early-morning sunrise walk, or sitting out at the docks watching fishermen sail in with the day’s catches, while an artist works beside you to recreate the entire scene on their canvas and depict a small but dazzling slice of life in Ocean City.
BL was working on a documentary about the annual plein air event, so I followed him around while he followed the artists around, and together we documented the painters in their most natural habitats. I also decided to work “learn to paint” and “become a plein air artist” into my 50-year plan for life (I’m a little busy now, so it might have to wait until I retire in 40 or so years). The photos and screenshots below are mostly by BL. They were taken on Wednesday, Aug. 8, the first day of the plein air event.
Barbara painting in Northside Park, taking the occasional break to chase cars away from parking in a spot that would block her view.
Barbara Stepura
White Plains, Maryland
I’ve been doing plein air for 10 years. I’m a nurse, that’s what I do for a living. But now I’m retired. You’ll get there someday, don’t worry.
I had my favorite little secret spot… It’s down on the backside of Jolly Roger. You can see the Ferris Wheel. And there’s a tiny little beautiful marsh there, and I painted it every single year.
But today I’ve been running people off — they want to park in that spot right there and I go, ‘no!’ But they’ve been really sweet. I just run over there and say, ‘could you please move your car?’ And everybody does, no problem.
What do you enjoy about doing plein air in Ocean City?There’s such variety. The people are great, for one thing. And there’s a lot of life here, a lot of activity. A lot of beautiful places. You’ve got the marshes, you’ve got the ocean, you’ve got everything, everything’s here that you could possibly want to paint outside. No mountains, but hey. You can’t have everything.
Ray Ewing
Ray painting by the Oceanic Motel at the Inlet.
Swan Point, Maryland
This is my fourth year here. And I say that they don’t like me because the first two years I won first place, and last year I won second place. So people don’t like me to come!
The first year I went over to Chincoteague or Assateague and painted, and then two years ago I stayed over in West Ocean City, so I painted those docks over there where that big fishing regatta is in West Ocean City, but it’s too crowded over there today. And I painted, I think it’s called Stinky Beach, but they just had a big incident there yesterday, so I went over there yesterday, and you couldn’t even get close to that beach.
Work-in-progress.
What I like about all the events is the camaraderie, all the artists know each other. I always said the artists are like professional golfers. The golfers at the PGA Tour go somewhere every week, they know each other, their families know each other, they go out to eat, they drink, they travel together, but they’re competing. They’re competing against each other, but they’re friends, and that’s what I like about it.
If I quit, I’m 75, so it’s kind of hard for me to stand up all day and paint. The thing I’m going to miss isn’t so much the painting, I can paint in my studio, but it’s being out with the other artists.
Dennis painting on the Boardwalk.
Dennis Young
Newcastle, Delaware
I’ll paint a quick one here, then I’ll go over to the Frog Bar and get lunch and a beer… If it’s sunny I’m good, if it storms I’m good, but if it’s lightning I’m fried.
Me, peering through Dennis’ viewfinder.
I live in Newcastle, Delaware, where I have an art gallery right in the tourist section. I have a gallery right smack in the middle of town. Actually it’s called my Man Cave, ’cause I go there and I paint a lot and I put things up on the wall. People come in and look and if they critique, that’s okay, but if they criticize, they’re out!
The people at the Art League are so friendly, that’s how I got in in the first place, years ago. They got me in and I’ve been happy to come back year after year and enjoy the Life Saving Station, and that place with the flags — the Kite Loft — and you’ve got Thrashers french fries and soft shell crabs and Higgins crabs. So I’m just all about the crabs, you can ask Rina about that and she’ll tell you.
Brian painting in a nice shady spot under the pier.
Brian McKenna
Crofton, Maryland
I’ve been painting off and on my entire life. I was a firefighter for 26 years, so that was a big distraction.
Where’s your favorite place to paint here?The shade, right now. You can take a beating out there. I’m waiting until sunset… The big problem with plein air is how quickly the light changes. It can change your painting. It doesn’t give you a whole lot of time — but that’s also the benefit of plein air painting. Trying to capture the light before it disappears, the whole painting can change so quickly.
Barbara Kern-Bush
Barbara painting on the sidewalk around 67th Street.
Berlin, Maryland
How long plein air, hmmm… Maybe 10 years? And I really didn’t start painting seriously until about 15 years ago. 16, 17 — the years add up. I’m from the Pittsburgh area, so I’ve done other ones in Pittsburgh.
What do you like to see in an image?First and foremost, and I learned this from photography, I like to see a powerful composition. I like to see the color be deliberately handled. Because the color of light, the color of shade, it’s not just that shade is darker than light. It’s a completely different color, and I like to see color handled really well. I like to see energy in the composition. The human touch. I don’t like to see something that looks like somebody drew it and colored it in. I like to get the eye moving.
What do you do when you’re not painting?I read about painting.
Ocean City, Md (Aug. 8, 2018): Norwegian viking ship Draken Harald Hårfagre — the largest of its kind in modern times — has announced Ocean City as the ninth stop on its Expedition America: East Coast Tour 2018 “presented by Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky.” The ship began its tour in July. It will be docked in Ocean City for eight days, from Aug. 22 – 29, beginning with an arrival ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. and continuing with seven days of ship tours and activities in the Draken Village. The Draken visit promises visitors an engaging look at the modern-day Viking spirit.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Draken ship to Ocean City this August,” said Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. “As a family-friendly destination that strives to offer a wide variety of events and features for our visitors to enjoy, we feel the Draken ship will provide vacationers with a unique opportunity to experience a piece of Viking history while staying here in Ocean City.”
Hosted in partnership with the Town of Ocean City, the Draken will dock at 3rd Street and Chicago Avenue on the bay and will offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors to relive history in a way never experienced before. The Draken will allow guests to not only marvel at this stunning Viking ship, but also to interact with the crew as they share their personal experiences of thrill, fear, and exhilaration while enduring the ship’s 2016 transatlantic crossing – reliving the Viking discovery of the New World more than 1,000 years ago.
The Draken Experience in Ocean City (dates and times subject to weather)
Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Draken Arrival Ceremony
Guests are invited to greet the Draken ship as it sails into port with a display of Viking valor and excitement. Captain Björn Ahlander and his crew will step ashore to welcome the crowd and introduce the Draken. This event is free and open to the public. A small, private welcome reception will follow.
Thursday, Aug. 23 – Wednesday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Draken Village & Deck Tours
Beginning daily at 10 a.m., Draken will be open for timed and ticketed deck tours. Tour tickets, which run $6 for kids (ages 5 to 15, free admission for ages 4 and under); $12 for adults (ages 16 and over); and $30 for a family pack (includes two adults, and up to three children) can be purchased online at www.drakenhh.com now, or on-site at the Draken Village. During each 30-minute tour, guests are guided through the ship and offered a look at a day-in-the-life of the crew and the historic craftsmanship used to build the ship with oak, tar, hemp, iron, and silk.
Within the Draken Village, which is free and open to the public, guests can experience a photo and video exhibition illustrating Viking history, modern explorers, and the adventures of the Draken; land-side views of the ship; the Highland Park Whisky hospitality tent; local food and beverage vendors; official Draken merchandise, and more.
Additional ticketed Draken events include a lecture with Captain Björn Ahlander outlining the adventurous expeditions of the Draken (Friday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m., $25) anda screening of the newly released Draken documentary: Expedition America – a Modern Viking Adventure(Saturday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m., $20).
“The Vikings were accomplished navigators, artisans, traders and storytellers, but their greatest triumph was the ships they built,” said Captain Björn Ahlander. “Each Draken stopover offers guests a tangible tie to history. We hope our visitors are inspired by the vigor of the Viking spirit and our modern-day adventures.”
Following the overwhelming response from the 2016 tour, the next leg of the Draken Harald Hårfagre North American tour will consist of stopovers across the U.S. East Coast states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and more. The final tour schedule and all stopover ports are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
The crew on board Draken is a team of 35 men and women from all over the world, representing a diverse mix of age, gender, nationality, and background. The Draken is now accepting applications for public volunteer crew positions. To take part in this rare opportunity visit: www.drakenhh.com/join-the-crew.
I’m a coffee addict, and I like to drink local. Whenever I have friends in town, many of them fellow coffee addicts, I make some recommendations based on which coffee shops I know to be good and which, in most cases, you won’t find anywhere else. While Boardwalk Birdie has already written the definitive list of the best coffee shops in the coastal Maryland region, Ocean City alone has a handful of small businesses that can whip up an excellent cup of java. Here are five of my favorites, and a bonus number six if you’re a creature of comfort and familiarity. Let me know what you think and if anyone major is missing from this list!
The Muze Café
Somerset Street
The first time I stopped by The Muze Café was just to get an iced coffee before rushing to an appointment in Ocean City, but I was really tempted to stay for an entire meal (and I absolutely would have, had time allowed). First of all, their outdoor patio just off the Boardwalk on Somerset Street is super charming, and provides a quaint downtown café atmosphere like nowhere else in Ocean City (sitting out on their patio almost feels, dare I say, European). Secondly, there aren’t many places where you’ll find savory crepes in OC, so The Muze is there to sate your crepe cravings. The Nutella crepe is a favorite among many. It’s a really nice place to rest your tired feet after a long walk on the Boardwalk, enjoy a quick bite and some caffeine, and, you know… Just muze.
The cutest logo.
A Latte Enjoy
2nd Street on the Boardwalk
Since the Boardwalk is the best place in Ocean City for an early-morning stroll, it’s no wonder that there are two excellent coffee shops that make the morning just a little more convenient for joggers, bicyclists and sunrise-chasers. Even if you’ve never gone in for a latte at A Latte Enjoy, you’d probably recognize the shop from the black octopus sign that sits out front. It’s worth stopping by the stand for a quick caffeine fix, as long as you have cash on hand, as the business is cash-only. While The Muze makes for a good place to rest after a busy day on the Boards, A Latte Enjoy is your Second Street-stop for coffee when the day is just getting started and you’re still waking up. And for the rare few who don’t like coffee, their smoothies are pretty delicious, too.
Rise Up
West Ocean City (next to Baja Amusements)
In the past few years, Rise Up has really taken Delmarva by storm… And for good reason. A new location just recently opened in Cambridge, Md, making for a good pit stop when you’re traveling to Ocean City east on Route 50, and the West Ocean City location has been around for a few years now — I frequent them often. Too often. They serve an array of breakfast-type foods by their “food alter-ego” Mad Eggs, and I often find myself coming in for a Rise Up burrito even when there’s like, negative money in my bank account. They also serve organic kombucha from Real Raw Organics and specialty drinks like slow pour, draft cold brew and nitro coffee, keeping crunchy Eastern Shore folks like me forever satisfied.
Satellite Coffee Shop
24th Street, 46th Street
Satellite Coffee Shop (sometimes known as the Satellite Café ) is the place to go for breakfast all-day (or at least until 2 p.m., when they close. iHop already has an unfortunate hold on the breakfast-for-dinner market). Just take a look at their unofficial Facebook page and scroll through the tons of photos that diners have posted of their Satellite breakfasts… Facebook is usually a cesspool of unhappy customers, especially when it comes to unofficial pages that customers make, but most of these posters seem pretty happy, with comments like “And of course, another favorite, classic eggs over and scrapple. Life is good. Lol. ?” and “Enjoying my regular favorite place for breakfast in Ocean City. And always the best cup of coffee, especially in the morning (they use a secret brand and brew in a huge urn). Sooo good. ??” Only the sunglasses emoji guy knows the secrets of Satellite Café coffee, and his pixelated lips are sealed.
Caffè Café
Gold Coast Mall (115th Street)
If you’ve taken a walk through the Gold Coast Mall recently, you’ve probably noticed Caffè Café next to OC Kabob. Caffè Café is actually owned and managed by the same family that owns OC Kabob, and they’ve proven to specialize in a lot of different foods and beverages. Caffè Café is cool because they’ve got a lot more than just coffee, like smoothies and sandwiches and even tiramisu, and they’ve also got a bunch of unique flavor options like raspberry, banana and toasted almond mocha.
Starbucks?
West Ocean City, 16th Street, 123rd Street
No, it’s definitely not a local option, but it appears that sometimes vacationers just want what’s familiar when it comes to their morning cup of joe (or their mid-afternoon venti caramel frappuccino). And now that there’s one on 123rd street new this summer, you won’t even have to drive the extra 15 minutes from North Ocean City to the location on 16th Street, or even further to the Starbs’ in West OC. The 16th Street Starbucks is owned by the Harrison Hotel Group, so you can’t use your rewards points, but you can crab a quick iced coffee before heading to the beach, mere steps away.
