At their January 16, 2018 meeting, the Commissioners extended their sincere appreciation to County employees involved in snow removal to clear County roads and properties of ice and snow during the recent winter storm. Those in attendance at the meeting included Public Works Deputy Director John Ross (front row from left), and Emergency Services Director Fred Webster; Roads Supervisor Keith Berdan (second row, from left), Roads Superintendent Frank Adkins, Solid Waste Superintendent Mike Mitchell, Maintenance Superintendent Ken Whited, Maintenance Supervisor Michael Hutchinson, Emergency Services Assistant Director James Hamilton; and Commissioners Jim Bunting (third row, from left), Chip Bertino, Merrill Lockfaw, Diana Purnell, Ted Elder, Bud Church, and Joe Mitrecic.
Ocean City gets its first craft beer challenge
We usually delegate news relating to craft beer challenges and trails to our sister site Shore Craft Beer, but this piece directly relates to Ocean City. In fact, Shore Craft Beer teamed up with the Town of Ocean City to create the first craft beer challenge on the Shore Craft Beer app not just for OC, but for any destination. And it’s really fun.
Here’s what the OCraft challenge entails.
- You stay at least one night at a participating hotel.
- You visit at least five participating restaurants, bars or breweries that serve or cook with craft beer.
- You earn an exclusive prize from the Town of Ocean City.
The challenge, which was officially launched on Wednesday, might seem a little intimidating at first but five restaurants/bars/breweries isn’t really all that much. The challenge is available year-round, but this FeBREWary will be the perfect time of year for anyone who wants to try it out. Think about it: you want to go on vacation in the winter, but you don’t really know what all there is to do here in the off-season.
We’ve tried to debunk the myth that there’s nothing to do here in the winter plenty of times before, but here’s just one more item to add to the list. Try some of the local craft beer that the Shore has to offer, and win a prize while you’re at it.
Here’s a little video I put together with an abridged guide to using the app and taking the challenge.
Here are the participating locations.
Of course, you could just download the app on iTunes or Google Play, but if you don’t want to do that just yet, here are some of the places you might stop at to complete the challenge.
Participating hotels: Best Western Hotel & Suites, Clarion Resort, Comfort Inn Gold Coast, Comfort Suites, Commander Hotel, Days Inn Oceanfront, Dunes Manor, Flamingo Motel, Grand Hotel & Spa, Hilton Suites Oceanfront, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Holiday Inn Oceanfront, Howard Johnson Inn, Ocean 1 Hotel & Suites, Oceanic Motel, Park Place Hotel, Quality Inn Boardwalk, Quality Inn Oceanfront, Sea Bay Hotel
Participating restaurants/bars/breweries: 28th Street Pit & Pub, The Angler, Anthony’s Liquors, Backshore Brewing, Breakers Pub, Captain’s Table, The Greene Turtle, Harpoon Hanna’s, Horizons, Late Nite Liquors, Lenny’s Beach Bar and Grill, Longboard Cafe, Macky’s, Seacrets, Skye Bar, Victorian Room, Zippy Lewis Lounge
Check out the town’s site OCOcean for additional information.
My Place in OC
Memories from vacations past
Leaving Ocean City at the end of my vacations has always been heartbreaking for me. As a child I spent many a summer in Ocean City enjoying the beach, boardwalk and rides with family and friends. In those days the high rise condominiums did not yet exist and my family stayed in cottages in West Ocean City. I cannot remember the name of those cottages that sat at the corner of Golf Course Road and Route 50, but my family affectionately called them ‘Hotel Debunk.’ In later years we moved down Golf Course Road to Fisher’s Harbor Court cottages to be closer to the marina. My father and the men would leave early to go fishing while us kids slept late into the morning. When the men returned with their catch we would all drive into the beach, hating if the draw bridge went up and cost us precious beach time.
The men fished along the bay and harbor where Shanty Town once sat. I have fond memories of watching July 4th fireworks from West Ocean City across the bay, the ferris wheel and rides a backdrop to the fireworks. Some evenings we would drive back into town to a restaurant or the boardwalk. Other evenings we would enjoy dinner and shopping at Shanty Town.
Staying in West Ocean City always made me feel like I lived there and began my dream of someday owning my own place. It would be many years before that dream became at least a partial reality.
As staying at a place with a pool and on the beach became more important my family “moved” from those West Ocean City cottages into Ocean City staying at various hotels including the old Westward Ho with its bay side pool, the Shangri La (the green and yellow place my mother called it) and the Sea Hawk in north Ocean City or renting various condos.
Making the move
As an adult I moved north to Rehoboth Beach, renting a mobile home from a friend, and again I was back to making the drive into the beach and boardwalk. Although Rehoboth was somewhat more quiet I missed Ocean City. When my friend decided to sell the mobile home I was offered the option to purchase it but being far from the beach and ground rent precluded me from that purchase, yet the dream remained alive.
It was one day when I was doing a random internet search on properties I came across the website of Ketch Real Estate, a business specializing in timeshare resales. I knew nothing about timeshares, never thought it made any sense and had no idea Ocean City had any timeshare condos. I was intrigued enough to give Rob Sauer of Ketch Real Estate a call.
A place of my own (at least part-time)
My main objective was to own my own place in Ocean City. What I learned is through timesharing I could make this happen and I could be right in Ocean City, even on the ocean if I chose. Buying a timeshare for me has been a wonderful experience. I now own at Club Ocean Villas II on 120th Street. By owning, I have the same condo every year at the same time each year. As an owner I can bring my dog, something I was never able to do when renting. My timeshare condo features a fenced yard, deck, a private hot tub (all mine!) and plenty room for my dog to happily spend outside. I also enjoy amenities like a heated indoor pool, outdoor pool, tennis and racquetball courts, and boat slips. Yes, I do have to pay a yearly maintenance fee, but there are expenses with any property owned.
For me, timesharing combines ownership with apartment-like features. My maintenance fee includes all taxes, insurance, water, phone, grass cutting, snow removal, repair/replacement of appliances and furnishings at no extra cost to me, and is about half of what I was paying to rent a condo for a week. On-site management by Defender Resorts provides peace of mind that my property is being looked after when I’m not there.
In today’s market, resale timeshares are available at very affordable prices across all seasons. Ocean City has many timeshare communities located anywhere from on the boardwalk, oceanfront, ocean block and bayside. For anyone who loves Ocean City as much as I do and is looking to own rather than continue renting, I find that timesharing is the way to go.
Today I own two timeshare condos at Club Ocean Villas II in North Ocean City, far from West Ocean City and the action of the boardwalk. I never thought I’d enjoy being bayside, but walking my dog at sunset as the sun sinks into the water, its reflection reaching from the horizon to where I am standing, sparkling and playing on the water, turning the sky shades of gold, pink and mauve is a dream come true.
Summer sunrises over Ocean City
While we are in the bitter cold winter days of January, we can’t help but day dream about summer days laying on the beach, soaking up the warm sunshine.
The best way to start those summer days is by waking up early to watch the sunrise.
While sunrises are beautiful no matter where you are, there is something particularly breathtaking about Ocean City sunrises.
130 days until the unofficial start of summer! But hey, who’s counting?
Ocean City Oddities: The Genie is Out of the Bottle
After over four decades, the giant genie down at Trimper’s Rides and Amusements has finally been let out of the bottle. One of the park’s iconic funhouses – Aladdin’s Lamp (Salem Aleikum) – has been permanently retired. The decision was made due to increased costs to maintain and reduced ridership.
For generations, the colorful Arabian Nights-themed funhouse stood tall in the back of Trimper’s Rides and Amusements while the iconic genie bowed his head from his seat atop the ride’s entrance. The attraction first appeared at Trimper’s Rides in the mid-1970’s and is often remembered for its unique floor challenges, ramps, spinning tunnels, mazes, and psychedelic rooms–not to mention the darkness. Riders were not allowed on the attraction with open-toed shoes as a safety precaution, and visitors would have the option of walking through the “chicken exit” if they were apprehensive about their balance capabilities in the spinning tunnel. The attraction’s roof, made of canvas, provided a memorable smell that visitors would look forward to year-after-year. Now, all of these experiences will be relived only in our memories.
The Salem Aleikum funhouse series was the brainchild of German amusement designer Willi Schafer and the Aladdin’s Lamp attraction made its debut in 1972 at a carnival in Cologne, Germany. Many identified Schafer as being an amusement industry leader who had many brilliant ideas and designs. An advertisement from 1971 depicts the new Salem Aleikum as featuring “many amusement effects under one roof,” which indeed it did. Its massive facade was one to behold with a front that measured 90’ wide, 39’ deep, and 42’ tall. Schafer would go on to design additional attractions while a French amusement company called Reverchon would begin manufacturing and selling his designs. Coincidentally, Reverchon was also the manufacturer of Trimper’s Himalaya ride, which is still in operation today right next to where Aladdin’s Lamp once stood. Before long, a Swiss showman named Edy Meier would premier a Salem Aleikum attraction in the United States on Casino Pier of Seaside Heights, NJ. Supposedly, that attraction was lost in 1976 due to storm damage from Hurricane Belle. Information about the origin of Trimper’s Aladdin’s Lamp remains largely a mystery, although it’s certain that Granville Trimper negotiated its acquisition.
Tom Lokey of Baltimore, who worked at Trimper’s Rides back then and ran the Wild Mouse roller coaster at the time, remembers helping to unload sea containers from France which transported the attraction in the mid 1970’s. In fact, he chipped a tooth that day when a piece of the ride went astray, and he still has that chip to this day. Despite the ride being only a few years old when it landed permanently at Trimper’s, it’s likely that it briefly traveled the carnival circuit in Germany before it arrived in the United States.
The attraction’s most recent overhaul was in 2013 when its footprint was reduced by nearly half to allow room for other attractions nearby. Despite a new floor plan and layout, the Trimpers managed to retain all of the original floor traps and stunts and incorporate them into the new design. Routine refurbishment and painting of the exterior and interior took place every few years during the off-season to keep the attraction in tiptop shape.
According to a source in the Trimper family, a few of the park’s rides will be shuffled around this year and the area will become home to several other exciting attractions. For now, the attraction has been dismantled and will be stored at a warehouse location while the family retains ownership (it’s not for sale). It’s fascinating to note that the sister attraction to Aladdin’s Lamp, Grand Orient, is still in operation at Palace Playland in Old Orchard Beach, ME, according to the park’s website.
Contributions made by Monica Thrash.
Annual Komen Maryland Ocean City Race for the Cure on April 14
OCEAN CITY, MD – Susan G. Komen® has announced that the 7th Annual Ocean City Race for the Cure will be held on April 14, 2018 on Ocean City’s iconic boardwalk beginning at the inlet. Registration and fundraising for the event is now open. Since its inception in 2012, Race for the Cure is the largest charitable 5k at the OC beach.
Data show that Maryland’s Eastern Shore has steep inequities in breast cancer incidence and mortality rates, especially among minority populations. Through fundraising events like the Race, Komen Maryland is working to close the gap in these disparities and has invested nearly $5 million into Eastern Shore programs that provide access to screening, treatment, and support for those who have been impacted by the disease. Komen Maryland has a long history of supporting breast health programs that serve Eastern Shore residents, and currently provides funding to the Wicomico County Health Department, Maintaining Active Citizens, and Moveable Feast.
“Komen Maryland is proud of our achievements over the last 35 years, but there are still many lives to save, both on the Eastern Shore and across the nation.” says Michael Jessup, executive director of Komen Maryland. “Our call to action is ‘Be More Than Pink.’ To make a difference and end this disease, we invite the community to come together and get involved by volunteering, donating, and fundraising.”
“Our program is based in Wicomico County, but we serve hundreds of people from across the region through our Living Well with Breast Cancer program,” says Leigh Ann Eagle, executive director of the Living Well Center of Excellence for MAC, a Komen Maryland-funded program. “The education and resources we provide to women and men whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer is invaluable to our community. We could not do this work without support from Komen Maryland.”
Race for the Cure is a 5k recreational run/walk. The Race Village will open at 7:30am for registration, packet pick-up and a pre-Race warm-up. The Race begins at 9 am at the for both runners and walkers. The course goes up the Boardwalk to 18th Street, turns around and continues back to the inlet. After the Race, there will be a beer garden, and a Survivor Parade and dance party.
To register, donate, volunteer or for more information about the Ocean City Race for the Cure , please visit www.komenmd.org/oceancity.
24th annual Penguin Swim: We braved the cold!
Berlin, Md. – With a forecast of freezing cold temperatures on New Years’ Day, AGH associates, volunteers, and participants were not sure what to expect for the 2018 Penguin Swim. However, the event proved to be successful yet again, with the participation of more than 400 penguins.
“This was by far the coldest weather in the 24-year history of our Annual Penguin Swim,” said Michael Franklin, president and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital, and also an annual participant. “It’s a great event that brings together our community and visitors to have fun doing something a little silly and unique, as well as help one of the most important assets in our community.”
With a temperature below freezing and a wind-chill that made it feel as though it was six degrees on the beach, unique is definitely one way to describe this year’s swim.
The success of the event is due, in great part, to Penguin Swim co-chairs Michael Cylc and Phillip Cheung, who devoted a great deal of their time and energy leading up to New Year’s Day. The support of the communities and resort visitors Atlantic General Hospital serves, as well as the many volunteers and AGH/HS associates, also played a large role in the event’s success, despite the frigid temperatures.
This year’s crowd not only braved the cold, but did it decked out in costumes as though it were a 70-degree, summer day. Not all arrived as penguins; an octopus, an assortment of superheroes, mermaids, Fred Flintstone, and many others were also present.
The 2018 Penguin Swim has raised a gross amount of $98,000 for the not-for-profit hospital, but that number may increase as final donations make their way to the AGH Foundation. Additionally, more than $20,000 worth of in-kind goods and services contributed to the event’s success.
The notables from the event:
Top fundraisers
Team – Business Category
- Bull on the Beach (Ocean City, Md.), $35,000*
- AGH Poppin’ Penguins (Berlin, Md.), $3,080
- Blazing Suns (Ocean City, Md.), $1,000
*The Bull on the Beach team has contributed more than $500,000 to the AGH Penguin Swim since it started in 1994.
Team – Community Groups Category
- Ocean City Ravens Roost #44 (Ocean City, Md.), $13,602*
- It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere (Port Jefferson, Ny.), $1,765
- O’Jettskis (Ocean City, Md.), $275
*The Ravens Roost team has contributed more than $95,000 to the AGH Penguin Swim over the last ten years.
Team – Youth/Family
- Psychedelic Penguins (Ocean City, Md.), $900
- Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins (Jersey City, Nj.), $675
- Team Cylc (Snow Hill, Md.), $315
Individual – Adult
- Craig Kettler (Leesburg, Va.), $3,825*
- Arleen Dinneen (Ellicott City, Md.), $815
- Samantha Ewancio (Berlin, Md.), $625
*Craig Kettler and family have contributed more than $35,000 to the AGH Penguin Swim since 2010.
Individual – 18 & Under Division
- Max Ewancio, (Berlin, Md.), $725
- Ben Kettler, (Leesburg, Va.), $500
- TIE: Nicholas Gordon (Berlin, Md.), $100 & Leila Attia (Fallston, MD), $100
Costume contest
- Best Overall Costume – “Rub-A-Dub-Dub-A-Man-In-A-Tub” Mike Schlegel from It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere, Breinigsville, Pa.
- Most Spirited – “Pittsburgh Penguin Bobble head” Lance Bucheit from Hileman Ice Penguins, Bishopville, Md.
- Most Creative – “Octopus,” Debbie Murosky, Pittson, Pa.
- Best Little Penguin – “Army Sergeant,” Tristan Lorditch, Lancaster, Pa.
- Team/Group Costume – “Candy Kitchen Girls” McKenna, Sienna & Keera from It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere, Breinigsville, Pa.
Prizes were also awarded for the youngest and oldest swimmers:
- Youngest Penguin: Grant Kesler (Vienna, Va.) (4 years, 11 months and 3 days old)
- Oldest Penguin: Paul Neal (Selbyville, De.) (76 years and 2 days young)
Special thanks to the AGH Penguin Swim sponsors, including Bull on the Beach/Crab Alley, WBOC, Above Aerial, AGH Auxiliary, D3, Princess Royale, Hardwire LLC, WRDE TV, Blue Water Development Corp., ACE Printing & Mailing, Chris Parypa Photography, Direct Media USA, Clear Channel Outdoor, Chesapeake Employers’ Insurance Company, OC Wasabi, Dough Roller Restaurants, Trond’s Pool Care, Erik Cantine, Earl Cantine, Ocean Downs Casino, Fisher’s Popcorn of Delaware, The Kite Loft, The Original Greene Turtle, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Red Sun Custom Apparel, Delmarva Media Group, Wilmington University, Coffee Beanery 94th Street Ocean City, The Bank of Delmarva, Guerrieri Family Foundation, Delmarva Collections, Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley, Atlantic Dental Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, Gismondi Insurance Associates, Jolly Roger Amusement Park, Sportland, Funcade, OC Seacrets, Canvas Experts, Inc., Island Creamery Berlin, The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Dolle’s Candyland, Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645 Ladies Auxiliary, Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen, Planet Maze & Lasertron, Old Pro Golf, Coastal Tented Events, Impact Home Technology, The Bonfire Restaurant, Lollipop and Company, Long & Foster – Tom D’Ambrogi, and Edward Jones – Max Hutsell.
Photos from Winter Storm Grayson
Life in Ocean City, Maryland — and most of the East Coast, for that matter — came to a sudden halt on the night of Wednesday, Jan. 3, when the blizzard began. The blizzard, which The Weather Channel named Grayson, was more than your run-of-the-mill snowstorm: it was a bombogenesis. The “bomb cyclone” left many businesses closed, roads out of commission and residents stuck in their homes well into the weekend. We’ve gotten snowstorms before — in fact, we had our first big snowstorm of 2017 during this same week last year — but the heavy winds, snow drift and single-digit temperatures that followed Grayson have already propelled this blizzard into infamy.
But as always, even as the temperatures creeped dangerously close to sub-zero, a winter storm makes for a beautiful scene in Ocean City. Photos of the snowy beach and boardwalk are still being shared all over social media, and we’ve certainly posted many of our own. Check out some of our favorite pictures below, as well as some of the great photos you’ve shared with us over the past few days. And a word to the wise for all photographers out there: invest in some camera-friendly gloves. Your frozen fingers will thank you.
Check out our pictures from Delaware’s snow-covered beaches here.
Our photos
Your photos
Videos
Ocean City Oddities: Boardwalk Memories in Wax
Happy New Year! My name is Brandon and I am a longtime enthusiast, chronicler, and author of Ocean City’s amusement and boardwalk history. I have been collecting and archiving Ocean City memorabilia for over 20 years and am excited to share some of my unique findings and knowledge in the form of a collection called “Ocean City Oddities” with those who value Ocean City and its history as much as I do. Not all pieces shared will be particularly weird or unusual, but I consider them odd in that they will depict information that may not be common knowledge. What will be common, though, are the memories we all share about OC’s rich history, and I look forward to reliving the memories of yesteryear with you all!
In September of 1995, it was officially announced that the Ocean City Wax Museum, which opened its doors in 1991 in the Pier Building on the boardwalk, would close its doors forever after just four years in operation. When the museum first opened, it claimed to be the largest wax museum on the East Coast.
The museum was developed and operated by C.M. Uberman Enterprises out of Gettysburg, PA and included over 150 lifelike figures displayed in “Seven Wondrous Worlds in Wax.” Such iconic figures as Elvis, Willie Nelson, Marilyn Monroe, Superman, Groucho Marx, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Jackson were all featured within the museum’s dark, winding hallways. Many of the wax figures in the museum were manufactured by Henry Alvarez of Alvarez Wax Models in Long Beach, California, and were sculpted with secret sculpting and painting methods passed down through the years by his mentors.
The themed areas of the museum included The World of Stars, The World of Music, The World of Movieland, The World of Discovery, The World of Make Believe, The World of Courage, and The World of the Horrible. Each display was often accompanied by rich sound effects and lighting.
After the Ocean City Wax Museum closed, the wax figures were sold and auctioned off one-by-one to both commercial operations and private collectors all over the country. Although the museum left indelible memories on so many, most notably the large painted mural on the outside wall that featured Frankenstein, information about the attraction remains rather illusive given its short tenure on the boardwalk.
It is interesting to note that the American Civil War Wax Museum in Gettysburg, which was also founded by C.M. Uberman Enterprises in 1962, closed on December 31, 2013.
Feature photo by Debra O.
Snow Accumulating in Ocean City As Winter Storm Travels Through the Area
Ocean City, Maryland – (January 4, 2018): The first winter storm of 2018 has brought wintery weather to the resort area, with strong winds and snow covering the sand and roads in Ocean City. As the winter storm continues to travel through the East Coast today, January 4, the freezing temperatures and snow should result in approximately 8-12 inches of accumulation at the beach. Along with the snow accumulation, Ocean City will continue to experience sustained winds of 35 to 40 miles per hour, and gusts upward of 52 miles per hour for the remainder of the storm.
The Town of Ocean City’s winter storm plan is in effect as crews continue the plowing efforts. Ocean City Recreation and Parks daytime programs have been canceled for today. In addition, public transportation service has been suspended until road conditions improve.
The Ocean City Public Works Department is working diligently to clear roadways and parking lots, however; citizens are encouraged to limit travel. If it is essential to travel, drivers should use extra caution and reduce speed if they must be on the road. In addition, emergency management officials are encouraging residents to avoid parking on streets until cleanup is complete.
The Town of Ocean City’s Emergency Services Department is continue to monitor the storm and will continue to update residents and visitors as services change. Residents should program their radios to 99.5 and follow @townofoceancity on twitter or visit https://www.facebook.com/TownOfOceanCity for updates.
Photo from WBOC.
Ocean City Expects First Snow of 2018, Resort Area Under Winter Storm Warning
From the Town of Ocean City:
Ocean City, Maryland – (January 3, 2018): Ocean City is under a Winter Storm Warning, beginning in the afternoon hours today, January 3, until 1 p.m. tomorrow, January 4. According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, VA, Ocean City will experience snow and moderate wind gusts. The projected snow will begin late this afternoon and into Thursday morning.
Snowfall accumulations are expected to reach between 4 to 8 inches, with winds averaging 15 to 20 miles per hour and gusts reaching 45 miles per hour. Due to the combination of snow, gusty winds and very cold temperatures, hazardous driving conditions are likely tonight and Thursday. Travel is strongly discouraged late tonight and during the storm tomorrow morning.
The Town of Ocean City’s Winter Storm Plan is in effect and the Emergency Management personnel are continuing to monitor the storm. Crews have started to pretreat roadways and will begin plowing when the snow accumulates.
As temperatures continue to drop and conditions of the bay change, the Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) is reminding residents and visitors about the dangers of ice. While winter can be an exciting time of year for the outdoors type, a frozen body of water has inherent dangers which can occur regardless of how strong and thick the ice appears.
The OCFD is reminding citizens that ice on the bay, ponds, lakes and lagoons is unsafe. “Each year hundreds of people are injured in ice water accidents,” said Ocean City Fire Department Lieutenant and Water Rescue Commander, Darrick Elliott. “Many think that because the body of water has been frozen for a few days, they can “skate” or play on the ice. It is important to understand that even though the ice may look strong and safe, there is always the danger of falling through the ice and into frigid water.”
Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about the dangers of ice. “Walking and playing on ice is inviting and appears to be fun but it is important that children understand the dangers associated with playing on ice,” Baker continued. “It’s important for children to know that there is no such thing as 100% safe ice. No ice is safe ice.”
If you are unsure if a frozen area of the bay, pond or lake is safe, please contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 1-877-620-8DNR before allowing any activity to take place on the ice. For tips on staying safe during winter storms and cold weather, visit: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather.
From the National Weather Service:
…WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO
1 PM EST THURSDAY…
*WHAT…Heavy snow expected. Plan on difficult travel
conditions, including during the morning commute on Thursday.
Total snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected.
*WHERE…Portions of southeast Maryland and eastern Virginia.
*WHEN…From 7 PM this evening to 1 PM EST Thursday.
*ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Be prepared for significant reductions in
visibility at times.
*PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A winter storm warning for snow means severe winter weather
conditions are expected. If you must travel, keep an extra
flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an
emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are
calling from can be obtained by calling 511.
How to prepare and stay safe
Stay indoors during the storm.
Prolonged exposure to cold can cause hypothermia.
Walk and drive carefully on icy sidewalks and roads.
Many injuries and accidents are caused by slippery conditions.
Before driving, let someone know your destination, route, and expected time of arrival.
If your car gets stuck, it’ll be easier to find you.
If you lose feeling and color in your nose, ears, hands, or feet, cover the exposed area, avoid rubbing your skin, and seek medical help immediately.
You may have frostbite.
When shoveling snow, take breaks and lift lighter loads.
Working too hard can lead to heart attacks.
Stay dry.
Wet clothes make you lose body heat, increasing your risk of hypothermia.
Photo from WBOC.
Save money by booking your vacation early. Here’s how.
Everyone wants to save money when they’re on vacation. When you plan your summer trip far enough in advance, the easiest way to save money is by booking your hotel months ahead. Here are some of our favorite “book early” specials, so when summer rolls around you’ll have that much extra cash for a bucket of Thrasher’s or a round of mini golf.
Commander Hotel & Suites
Early Seagull Savings! Rate Code: ERA3 – Stay 3 nights and get 15% off. Weekdays only (Sunday – Thursday). Offer valid until March 31, 2018. Black Out Dates Apply. Rate Code: ERA5 – Stay 5 nights and get 20% off. Weekdays only (Sunday – Thursday). Offer valid until March 31, 2018. Black Out Dates Apply.
Oceanfront Suites & Cabanas Ocean City MD | Commander Hotel
The Commander Hotel, Oceanfront on the Boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland. Suites and efficiencies available. Call today!
Grand Hotel and Spa
“We are running an Advance Purchase discount between 5%-35%.” *Full payment at reservation time required. Non-refundable cancellation policy apply. Discounts are subject to change. Black-out dates apply. Not valid with any other discounts, packages or group rates.
Vacation Packages for Ocean City, Maryland | Grand Hotel & Spa
The Grand Hotel & Spa welcomes you to enjoy our convenient services and contemporary accommodations at affordable rates by taking advantage of our hotel specials, vacation packages and current deals. Whether you’re traveling to Maryland for a family vacation, a weekend escape or if you are traveling here on business, we have a deal, package or special that will meet your travel needs and budget.
Boardwalk Hotel Group (Howard Johnson Oceanfront Plaza, Howard Johnson Oceanfront Inn, Days Inn Oceanfront)
Book Early to receive 10% off weekends and 25% off weekdays per night, plus get a a FREE bucket of Thrasher’s Fries! *Offer valid on reservations booked now through April 15, 2018. Certain blackout dates may not be available for discounts.
Scroll down on linked page to “Book Early & Save Big!” under “Deals.”
Deals/Packages | Ocean City Boardwalk Hotels | MD Boardwalk Hotel Group
Accommodations at our Howard Johnson Oceanfront Plaza Hotel 3 Course Dinner New Year’s Eve at Brother’s Bistro Live Music starting at 7:30pm Champagne Toast at Midnight New Year’s Day Brunch from 9am-12pm Late check out on New Year’s Day (1pm) Cash bar All Taxes and Gratuity included 3 night package (Arrive Friday, December 29th) $430 per couple 2 night package (Arrive Saturday, December 30th) $350 per couple Click here to View our Menu
Flamingo Motel
Ocean City Maryland Motel | Ocean City MD Hotels | Flamingo Motel
Discount Bookings 20% Off Reservations Booked In December and January (promo code WINT) Reservations must be booked by 1/31/2018 55th Anniversary Specials $55 Special Anniversary Weekends (4/21, 5/12).
Ocean 1 Hotel & Suites
Book your 2018 reservation between now and March 31, 2018 and save 15% off your stay. Some restrictions may apply. Offer may not be combined with any other discounts.
Specials | Ocean City MD Hotel | Ocean 1 Hotel & Suites
Ocean 1 Hotel & Suites 101 N. First Street Ocean City, MD 21842 410-289-6881 reservations@ocean1hotel.com
Looking forward to 2018 in Ocean City
The landscape of Ocean City never changes too much, but like every town, businesses come and go year by year. 2017 in OC was no exception. Here’s all the big things that went down in 2017, followed by–drumroll, please!–all the exciting things we can expect from Ocean City in 2018.
From 2017…
As far as hotels go, the Monte Carlo added an oceanfront location on 11th street. The Crystal Beach on the boardwalk at 25th street expanded to include more rooms, a new pool and a new fitness center. The Residence Inn just off route 90, as well as the Fairfield Inn on 25th street bayside, were new additions to the Ocean City skyline.
Let’s be honest though, what’s most exciting is when new restaurants are added to the Ocean City business directory. 28th Street Pit & Pub added a second location in North Ocean City. Totally new eateries included Shotti’s Point at the 35th street surf shop K-Coast, Dry Dock 28 by the owners of Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon, Rare & Rye in the La Quinta Inn on 32nd street, The Cluckin’ Crab on 15th street, Vietnamese eatery Pho-Char Grill on 118th street bayside and the Shugar Shack on 28th street for all things sweet. Most recently, Dry 85 and Red Red Wine Bar opened side-by-side on 48th street.
Attractions-wise, Ocean City’s Escape Room expanded to include more themed rooms, and 146th street mini golf/arcade hangout Game Room expanded to include laser tag. Jolly Roger added a few new rides, including The Kraken on the pier, as well as additions to SpeedWorld and the Splash Mountain Water Park.
Upcoming hotels
Hyatt Place Oceanfront Hotel – Atlantic Avenue – slated to open spring 2018. Aloft Hotel – 45th Street Village. Homewood Suites – 67th Street. 125th Street – Country Inn & Suites. Park Place Plaza and Jewelers – new location in West Ocean City.
Upcoming restaurants
Denny’s – 62nd street – taking the place of the old JR’s Ribs. Albertino’s – 131st street – a brick oven eatery with craft beer by The Crab Bag. Tequila Mockingbird – new, second location opening in West OC. Dolle’s Candyland – new location in West OC. New coffee shop coming in – Uptown Shopping Center in North Ocean City.
Downtown Ocean City
Ocean City’s Downtown area will be going through a few changes this year, too. Here’s what you can expect, courtesy of Ocean City Development Corporation Executive Director Glenn Irwin:
Fat Daddy’s on Baltimore Avenue will be adding a bar in the adjacent commercial bay. The bar will be called The Treehouse and is expected to open spring of 2018.
Due to the extensive renovation to occur at the Taylor House building at the corner of S. Baltimore Avenue and Talbot Street, the India Emporium will be relocating across the street to 107 S. Baltimore Ave. The India Emporium has operated as a retail store in downtown Ocean City for 40 years.
The Town of Ocean City will be constructing a new tram facility at St. Louis Avenue and 2nd Street. This new facility is to be constructed and completed in 2018. Once this new facility is completed, the existing tram facility at S. Philadelphia Avenue and 2nd Street will be demolished and parking will be added at the site.
The OCDC and the Town of Ocean City will be working on the 2018 music program at Sunset Park. This free music is provided every Thursday evening in July and August.
The site plan has been approved for the new mixed use development to be constructed at 16 Baltimore Ave. This project will include a first floor commercial space and three floors of employee housing. Construction is expected to commence this spring.
2018’s big event dates
January – 1: Penguin Swim, Mayor’s New Year’s Day Concert.
February – 9-11: Wool and Fiber Expo. 23-25: Reach the Beach cheerleading competition. 24: Love on Tap.
March – 9-11: Ocean City Film Festival. 17: St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 30: Easter Kids’ Fun Fair and Arts & Crafts Show.
April – 8: Ocean City Bridal Show. 15-29: Spring Restaurant Week. 27-29: Maryland International Kite Expo.
May – 3-6: Springfest. 12: White Marlin Festival. 17-20: Cruisin’ Ocean City.
June – 16-17: Air Show.
July – 4: Fourth of July concert and fireworks.
August – 6-11: White Marlin Open. 8-12: Artists Paint OC Plein Air. 23-26: Jeep Week. 26-Sept. 9: Hotel Week.
September – 13-16: BikeFest. 20-23: Sunfest, Sunfest Kite Festival. 20-21: Sand Castle Home Tour. 28-29: Wine on the Beach.
October – 4-7: Endless Summer Cruisin.’ 14-28: Fall Restaurant Week. 20: OCtberfest Halloween Parade. 20: Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade. 20-21, 27-28: Halloween Beach Maze. 27: Great Pumpkin Race. 28: Halloween Spook-Out Party.
November – 15-Dec. 31: Winterfest of Lights. 17: Light Up Downtown Festival. 23-25: Holiday Shoppers Fair.
December – 1: Christmas Parade. 5: Pizza with Santa. 7-8: Holiday Artisan Fair. 31: New Year’s Eve celebration and fireworks.
Ocean City Year in Review
We did it. We have — almost — made it through 2017.
For the country, and rest of the world, 2017 was tumultuous, to say the least. But we’re not going to think about that right now. In Ocean City, the beach and boardwalk were business as usual, and Ocean City remained the same beautiful resort town you know and love. There were a few minor upheavals–at risk of reopening a whole can of worms, remember H2Oi?–but for the most part, life was same old, same old in Ocean City, Maryland. Just the way we like it.
Here’s to reminiscing, and to another great year in Ocean City.
January: Snowstorm!
What better way to start the new year than with a snow-covered Ocean City? The first snowstorm of the winter covered the beach in about nine inches of snow, and gusts of wind reached 25 miles per hour.
Top 10 Ocean City videos from the Jan. 7 storm – Ocean City Videos
Over the weekend, members of the OceanCity.com staff as well as many of our loyal readers got out and shared some videos of the snow. If you’re still snowed in (or if you wish you were) take a look as some of the awesome sights we had in town this weekend.
February: Love is in the air
Valentine’s Day in 2017, like every year, was most romantically spent on the Shore. Here’s how a few Ocean City-loving couples shared the love with us.
Ocean City couples photos, just in time for February – Ocean City Maryland
Getting photos together is one of the grandest part of the Ocean City vacation experience. In what follows we’ll take a look at some of the couples photos you guys have submitted over the years.
March: Exploring the islands
There’s still a bite in the late-winter air by the time March rolls around, but the off-season is the best time to explore Assateague and Chincoteague. They’re all but deserted, making March one of the best times of year to do some wandering around in peace.
Chincoteague: The other horse island – OceanCity.com
Spend the weekend in Chincoteague. You’ll be happy you did. Sometimes it is so easy to get wrapped up in the Assateague ponies we can forget that Chincoteague Island is only a few miles farther as the crow flies, but those of us who aren’t crows have to make the 45 minute drive west, then south then east to wind up on Chincoteague Island.
April: Ocean City goes to the birds
If you’re a birdwatcher on the Eastern Shore, April is always the most exciting time of year. That’s when Delmarva Birding Weekend happens, when early migrations can be spotted all over the peninsula.
Fans flock to annual Birding Weekend – OceanCity.com
Spring has sprung and birds of a feather are flocking together for the annual Delmarva Birding Weekend later this month! The 22nd annual Spring Delmarva Birding Weekend is set for April 27-30, 2017, allowing birdwatchers to spot a variety of early-arriving migrating birds like warblers, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors in several hot spots.
May: New ways to play in the sand
The beach’s first-ever playground was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting ceremony early in the month of May. The playground on North Division Street is complete with three slides, monkey bars, an ice cream stand and a map of the United States
Visit the first Ocean City beach playground – OceanCity.com
The Ocean City beach playground is just the latest in a long tradition of free things to do in Ocean City. After months of anticipation Ocean City officially opened its first playground on the Boardwalk this week with the snip of a ribbon in spring of 2017.
June: Beachgoers bare all
Remember this controversy? The onset of summer saw an issue that was soon forgotten almost as aggressively as it was argued over. In June, the City Council passed an ordinance banning female toplessness in Ocean City.
Should toplessness be allowed in Ocean City? The town responds – OceanCity.com
“The Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office received a request last summer from a woman who believed it was her constitutional right to be bare-chested on Ocean City’s beach. At that time, the State’s Attorney reached out to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office for an opinion on the matter, which we are still anxiously awaiting.
July: A wake-up call for Assateague visitors
Things were going so well as mid-summer hit, until one Assateague mare died after getting into a camper’s dog food. This headline was a sad reminder to Assateague campers to keep their food away from the reach of wild ponies.
Don’t feed dog food to Assateague Horses – OceanCity.com
When visiting beautiful, wild Assateague Island, remember not to feed the famous wild horses and to cover up all food on campgrounds! Assateague Island National Seashore officials say a young mare died last week after munching on some dog food. The seven-year-old mare, identified as N2BHS-AI but nicknamed Chama Wingapo, was found dead in a …
August: Total eclipse of the sun
Everyone in Ocean City was staring at the sky on Aug. 21, when we were able to see the moon eclipse the sun for the first time in decades (with special eyewear, that is).
Watching the solar eclipse in Ocean City + your eclipse pics
It’s not uncommon to see crowds of people donned in sunglasses walking the Ocean City boardwalk, but it is a little strange when almost every. person. there. has shades on. But Monday was an event and an occasion that no one wanted to miss, and that meant wearing protective eye gear, or else staring down into a cardboard box.
September: Festival season
As summer winds down, people need more of an excuse to stay in Ocean City. That’s probably why the month of September sees so many festivals, including Sunfest, Bikefest and the Kite Festival.
Fall festival season picks up as summer winds down
There was once a time when Labor Day weekend marked the death knell of the summer season in Ocean City, Maryland. It marked the transformation from bustling tourist town to boring ghost town, and putting an end to the majority of excitement and activities as period of winter hibernation crept in.
October: OCtoberfest!
OCtoberfest seems to be getting bigger every year, and 2017 was no exception. There was the beach maze, the great pumpkin race and countless Halloween parties, but most importantly, there were dogs in costume.
15 photos from the OCtoberfest Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade
There’s a ton of fun events lined up each year for OCtoberfest, but one parade down the boardwalk is an especially howlin’ good time for humans and pets alike: Ocean City’s annual Howl-O-Ween pet parade. This year’s parade was, unsurprisingly, almost completely made up of dogs.
November: The beach gets a pick-me-up
Gotta have that sand. In November, Governor Larry Hogan, along with Col. Edward Chamberlayne of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other public officials held a press conference on the necessity of Ocean City beach renourishment.
Beach Renourishment Keeps Ocean City Rolling – Ocean City News
Governor Larry Hogan, Baltimore District Commander Col. Edward Chamberlayne of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Mark Belton, among other public officials, met for a press conference on the 94th street dunes crossing Monday to highlight an ongoing beach renourishment program that’s been impacting Ocean City since the early ’90s.
December: A time to reflect
The last month of the year was somehow just as busy as all the others, with all the traditional Ocean City holiday events like the Christmas Parade and one new event which brought hundreds of cosplayers to the Grand Hotel for a day, the inaugural Ocean City Comic Con. Really, though, December is meant for reflecting on the year behind us and looking ahead to see what the new year will bring, and what can be improved upon. It’s also meant for peaceful walks in the snow and taking a moment to breathe after another lively, exciting and fun year in Ocean City.
A snowy walk around the Ocean City Inlet
These photos were taken the Sunday after the first snow of the season on Friday, Dec. 8, which was followed by a little more on Saturday. I woke up on Sunday morning, looked out the window and immediately knew I’d have to bundle up fast and head out to take pictures before the snow melted or otherwise ended up covered in street sludge and general dirt, trash and cigarette butts.
Merry Christmas from the Ocean City elves
If you follow us on Facebook, then you’ve probably seen some of the hi-jinx the visiting elves have gotten into. They finished their toy-making a little early this year and came all the way from the North Pole to vacation in Ocean City, Maryland. They said it was much warmer than they’re used to, but still pretty chilly–next year they said they might hit the Florida Keys. (Just kidding! They’ll be back in Ocean City for more adventures, don’t worry.)
The elves on the shelf originally belonged to a now-middle schooler who named them Veronica, Dash and the reindeer “Mr. Swag.” Here are a few photos documenting their trip this year.
Town of Ocean City celebrates holidays and the New Year
Ocean City, Maryland – (December 20, 2017): It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! While the holiday spirit has been circulating through town for several weeks, the Town of Ocean City is reminding citizens that town administrative offices will be closed on Friday, December 22, and Monday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. There will be no trash collection on Monday, December 25. Monday’s trash will be picked up on Tuesday, December 26.
Also beginning December 26, the Town of Ocean City will once again provide a FREE Christmas tree drop-off site at the 100th Street Municipal Parking Lot. Trees can be placed in the northeast corner of the 100th Street lot December 26 through January 15. Please remove all tinsel, ornaments and other non-wooden items from the tree. Trees collected at the site are taken to the county landfill where they are recycled.
Administrative & transportation hours
Citizens should also be reminded that Town of Ocean City administrative offices will be closed on Monday, January 1, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. No trash collection will be offered on Monday, January 1, however; Monday’s trash will be collected on Tuesday, January 2. Also modifying their normal schedule for the holiday is the Town of Ocean City’s Transportation Department, who will offer FREE bus service from 6 a.m. on December 31 to 6 a.m. on January 1. On December 31, bus services will run every 20 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and every 10 minutes from 6 p.m. until 4 a.m. on January 1. Buses on New Year’s Day will also run every 20 minutes from 4 a.m. until 7 a.m., at which time they will resume a normal winter service schedule of every 40 minutes.
New bus locator app
With a new year comes new and improved service, as Ocean City is celebrating the introduction of the highly anticipated bus locator application. Debuting on New Year’s Eve, the enhanced service will allow bus patrons to view real-time location of busses with the TransLoc Rider app. Available for both iOS and Android, users of the app can watch Ocean City buses moving in real time, as well get an accurate arrival prediction of busses to their exact location via the app’s text messaging feature. Further, the TransLoc Rider app allows users to set favorite routes, get personal alerts and ultimately makes transit more accessible and convenient for patrons.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
Along with free bus services and a new bus locator app, the Town of Ocean City will be hosting a FREE fireworks show on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the beginning of 2018 and the conclusion of the 25th Annual Winterfest of Lights. The show will begin promptly at midnight and will be accompanied by musical entertainment, warm hot chocolate (for a small fee) and the opportunity to ride the Winterfest of Lights prior to midnight. Hours for Winterfest will be extended until 12 a.m. to allow visitors to travel through the winter paradise of lights.
The New Year’s Eve festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. inside the Winterfest Pavilion, with the celebration continuing on until midnight at Northside Park. For more information about the Winterfest of Lights and the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show, please visit www.ococean.com/events.
Last but not least, the festivities continue on New Year’s Day as Mayor Rick Meehan and members of the Ocean City council treat residents and visitors to a FREE concert at the breathtaking Performing Arts Center. After a brief meet and greet with Ocean City elected officials and participating community partners, the 2018 New Year’s Day Concert will feature performances by Bryan Russo and Nadjah Nicole from NBC’s Emmy Award winning TV show The Voice. Scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on New Year’s Day, residents and visitors are invited to meet the Mayor and City Council members from 1 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. After the meet and greet, the Performing Arts Center doors will open for seating and the concert will start promptly at 1:45 p.m. with Russo opening the show. Tickets will not be issued, as seating will be first come first serve. For more information, please contact Jessica Waters at 410.289.8967
For more information about Town of Ocean City services and holiday closings, please visit http://oceancitymd.gov.
