Let me just say it straight up: the Rising Tides Music Festival in Ocean City was all that—and yeah, I’m talking bag of chips included. There were so many highs, it was like trying to pick your favorite member of *NSYNC in 1999: basically impossible.

The Stage Access!

First off, the stage setup was totally great. You could actually see what was happening without pulling a Stretch Armstrong move or getting elbowed by someone trying to “accidentally” shimmy their way to the front. The crowd had big “we’re all in this together” energy—no smushing, no drama, no “yo, that’s my spot!” vibes. If you showed up early, people respected it. And honestly, while they probably expected to sell more tickets (and deserved to), the fact that it wasn’t shoulder-to-shoulder packed made the whole thing way more chill. Zero chaos. Maximum good vibes.

The Bleachers in the Back

And whoever decided to put elevated bleachers in the back deserves a holographic sticker. Those seats had primo views—nothing blocked, not even the soundboard plunked in the middle. It was like being at a concert designed by someone who actually goes to concerts. Wild, I know.

Fun For Everyone

The festival was mad fun for all ages, too. You had kids and adults vibing on the roller rink like it was a Friday night at the mall in 1998. The hat bar? Totally rad. Corn hole? A whole mood. And the small vendor section was perfect—no exhausting line of booths to fight through. Drink prices were also legit—more local bar, less “sell your kidney for a margarita.” When it got loud or you needed a breather, you could step out to a sweet waterfront chill zone. No boiling-hot, sweat-dripping misery like some venues. Just breeze, space, and a snack. Perfection.

Room to Bust a Move

Inside, there was room to bust a move, and trust me—we did. The music was a straight-up nostalgic dream: 90s dance hits, love ballads you forgot you remembered, and a sprinkle of 70s grooves. Basically the soundtrack of your childhood bedroom, your cousin’s basement, and every school dance combined. And the artists? They were exactly how we remembered them—fun, friendly, and totally stoked on reliving the 90s–2000s magic.

Easy Parking

And can we talk about parking? Parking was a breeze. Like, actual free, easy, safe parking. That alone makes this festival legendary.

Level Up

Of course, even the best fests can level up. Next time, grouping all the photo ops together—and adding better lighting—would make it easier to snag those epic shots. And tossing in another beer stand or two would be a major win. No one wants to spend half their day waiting behind twenty thirsty people while their childhood crush is one stage.

Can We Do It All Again?

But for real? Rising Tides came through like a chart-topping summer hit. It was laid-back, nostalgic, and totally unforgettable. We’re already counting down until we can do it all again—90s style. What do you say, Ocean City?

For more than two decades, Sandy Garrish has been bringing dancers from all over the region to the shores of Ocean City, Maryland for a weekend of rhythm, laughter, and community. Born and raised in Baltimore County, Sandy spent 15 years in Eldersburg before moving to Ocean City in December 1999. “I’ve lived here for 25 years now,” she says proudly — and in that time, she’s built a dance family that spans generations and genres.

Two-Steps Were Just the Beginning

Sandy’s journey began in 1988, when she learned how to two-step. By the following year, she and her then-husband were competing in country couples’ dance competitions. Teaching soon followed — two-step, swing, waltz, and eventually line dancing. “We started having dances in 1992,” she recalls. “I’ve taught all around central Maryland and Ocean City ever since.”

Dreams Do Come True

When she moved to the beach, Sandy dreamed of one day hosting a weekend-long dance retreat there. That dream came to life in 2006, when she organized her first Ocean City dance weekend alongside the Light the Night charity walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Her team, “Sandy’s Strollers,” raised funds for four years — and the Halloween-themed weekend quickly became a cherished annual tradition.

Music, Movement, And Friendship

Over the years, the retreat evolved from a single-night dance into a full three-day celebration of music, movement, and friendship. After a brief stint at the American Legion due to a booking mix-up, Sandy brought the event back to The Grand Hotel in 2024. “Everyone loves that they can see the ocean from their balcony,” she says. “It’s on the boardwalk, so they can walk, grab lunch, or even dance on their balconies between lessons.”

Sandy curates a welcoming mix of line dance and couples’ lessons, bringing in top instructors like Brandon Zahorsky, Joanne Brady, and Dancin’ Dean — a trio known for their humor and chemistry. Despite suffering a stroke in early 2024, Sandy’s resilience never wavered. She still managed registration, seating, and DJing duties for both the 2024 and 2025 retreats. “The stroke affected my left side, but not my mind,” she says. “I’m grateful I can still do what I love.”

Making Connections

Her favorite moments come when dancers connect — old friends reuniting, new friendships forming, even couples celebrating anniversaries. “One couple met here three years ago,” she smiles. “They celebrated their third anniversary on Friday night.”

The soundtrack of her weekends includes upbeat favorites like “Shivers” by Ed Sheeran and “A Bar Song” by Shaboozy, songs that fill the ballroom floor in seconds. But beyond the music, it’s the sense of belonging that keeps people coming back. “It’s a big family,” Sandy says. “They know I care about them having a great weekend.”

No Signs of Slowing Down

After 20 successful years, Sandy isn’t slowing down. She dreams of building a new venue in Ocean City — one that could host up to 300 dancers, with ocean views and space for future generations of movers. “I’ll keep doing this as long as people want to come,” she says. “It’s about the people, the music, and the joy of dancing at the beach.”

For Sandy Garrish, every shuffle, step, and spin at The Grand is more than just a dance — it’s a celebration of life, resilience, and community by the sea.

The Ocean City music community and beyond are rallying to support Dave Parsons, a beloved concert photographer from Wheeling, West Virginia, after a tragic accident left him with severe spinal injuries during the Luke Bryan concert at the Countrys Calling Festival on October 4, 2025.

A Beloved Photographer

Parsons, 60, has spent over 43 years behind the camera capturing the energy and emotion of live performances. Shooting for Breaking Scene Media, he’s been a familiar and friendly face at Ocean City’s festivals for the past three years, always quick with a smile and ready to share his passion for music photography. His favorite artists to capture include Tanya Tucker, Wynonna Judd, Green Day, Alice Cooper, and Fall Out Boy — a mix that reflects his love for music of all kinds.

What Happened Exactly?

On the evening of October 4, Parsons was doing what he loved most: photographing a concert. As he moved to make room for another photographer, he slipped and fell, striking his head on a concrete barricade. The impact caused damage to his spinal cord, leaving him without movement in his hands and legs. He was life-flighted from Ocean City, Maryland, to a trauma unit in Baltimore, where doctors performed emergency spinal surgery the next morning.

Since then, Parsons has remained in intensive rehabilitation. While doctors are optimistic that he could eventually regain 80–90% of his mobility, his recovery will require months of specialized therapy. He currently has no use of his hands or legs and needs assistance with even the smallest daily tasks. His family has shared that doctors and nurses have strongly emphasized the importance of their physical presence during his recovery — something that would provide both emotional comfort and essential help.

Making Progress

Parsons has been transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Morgantown, West Virginia- best in the state for spinal recovery. To help cover the costs of medical transportation, temporary housing, and travel expenses, Parsons’ family has launched a GoFundMe campaign.

“My dad has always been dedicated to his work and his community,” his family wrote. “Having us near him would be a tremendous weight off his chest. At this time, for example, he can’t even scratch his head or wipe his nose without help — we just want to be there for him.”

A Goal to Get to Boardwalk Rock

Despite everything, Parsons remains hopeful and deeply connected to the Ocean City music community he loves. “My favorite festivals every year are the ones C3 produces in Ocean City,” he said. “I really hope to somehow be back in the spring for Boardwalk Rock and the rest of the festivals.”

There is no cutoff date for donations, as his recovery will take time. Those wishing to support Dave Parsons can visit his GoFundMe page, where contributions will go toward helping him and his family through this difficult journey.

Through the lens of compassion, the community that Dave has spent decades capturing is now turning its focus on him — offering the same light and love he’s shared with so many others.