It’s that time of year when we get to show mom some extra love, and what better place to do that, than Ocean City, Maryland! Here are some suggestions on where to stay, what to do and where to go on Mother’s Day Weekend in Ocean City, MD:
Treat Mom to a stay at the Boardwalk Hotel Group, and get brunch on them! Stay two nights and get $80 in meal vouchers, just for Mom. Find out more here.
Mom deserves the best, so treat her to a weekend getaway at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort in their newly renovated ocean view queen suites for just $299/night. Use code: BESTMOM. Then enjoy their Mother’s Day Brunch, Creative Day Spapackage, and The Current opening night on May 10th! What more could she want!?
Call for more details and book with them today! 410-524-7777
Find a full list of Ocean City hotels and motels, oceanfront, bayfront, and anywhere in between, here!
Catch the sunrise on the beach.
Jack N Terry Phebus
Once you are in Ocean City, bring mom coffee in bed and then head out to the beach to catch the sunrise. That’s the most perfect way to start the day, of course. You can be the first to see the sun as it rises above the Atlantic Ocean. Then, you can take mom for a walk along the miles of free white sandy beaches before heading back to your hotel.
Treat Mom to an incredible brunch at the Captain’s Table! Special menu and cocktails for this brunch seating from 10am to 2pm, please call to make reservations at 410-289-7192.
Enjoy a Champagne brunch at Ember’s! Make your reservations here.
Enjoy a Mother’s Day Brunch at the Residence Inn
“Mom”osa Paint Brunch at the Residence Inn. Paint, sip, AND nibble this Mother’s Day at the Residence Inn OC! Bring home a lovely canvas you and mom will cherish forever. At their annual Mother’s Day brunch, mom can create and take home this gorgeous bouquet on canvas. These flowers last FOREVER…as does mom’s love! Bring your mother, caregiver, or child in for a lovely and fun brunch in their Bayview Bar & Grille, followed by an instructed paint session, brought to you by the Art League OC. Create a matching canvas with mom while sipping mimosas from their bay front locale! Find out more here.
Join Vista at the Fenwick Inn on Sunday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for their updated menu, bloody Marys, mimosas—or should we say momosas — and a special treat for moms. Reservations are accepted, but not required.
Take a stroll on the Boardwalk
You are in Ocean City after all! Take a leisurely walk along Ocean City’s famous Boardwalk and enjoy the beautiful ocean views with your mom. You can stop by the various shops and vendors along the way to pick up some souvenirs or treats. Buy Mom a bucket of caramel corn, an order of Thrasher’s or a great coffee. Or maybe all three, it is Mother’s Day after all!
Go shopping at the market!
Berlin Md Farmer’s Market
Berlin Farmers Market takes place in Berlin on Sunday May 12th between 9am-1pm, rain or shine. This is a Producers Only Market featuring over 35 farmers, food cultivators, bakers, distillers, seafood, meat, eggs and so much more! Buy something special so you can cook a delicious dinner for Mom when you get home!
Take Mom out for dinner on Mother’s Day in Ocean City
Captain’s Table Lobster specials
Many people take their moms out to eat on Mother’s Day, but when you come to Ocean City, your options are endless AND you can choose from some of the best local seafood anywhere.
Treat your Mom right and bring her to Marlin Moon on Mother’s Day! She’ll get either a free piece of cheesecake or mimosa! Their special breakfast items are served from 7am-2pm , and their special dinner items will be served from 4 pm until close include: -Pan seared scallops with a saffron cream sauce -Blackened salmon with a roasted red pepper coulee -Roasted duck breast with a sweet bourbon glaze
On Saturday, May 11th, Dance Alley Presents “Sweet Treat Boulevard” at the Performing Arts Center on 40th Street. Find out more and buy tickets here.
End the day with a sunset.
Noelle Marie – The beauty that is Northside Park at sunset.
If you’d rather sleep in and catch the sunset, take an evening stroll at Northside Park, and stop and smell the flowers while you’re there. It’s the perfect way to end the day.
We realize this is 11 options of things to do for Mom, one more than the title of this article, but we thought Mom was worth something extra!
It’s almost time for the 33rdAnnual Cruisin’ Ocean City, a four-day car event to show off enthusiast’s hot rods, cool classics, customs and more. Although the main event is at the Inlet Parking lot and at the Ocean City Convention Center on 40th Street, we love the Boardwalk Parade, which takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings around 8am. Here’s some photos from previous year’s parades, when the weather was just about perfect for sitting back and watching the wheels go by. Whether you can name each model and year, or whether you just enjoy the beauty of these old classics, grab a cup of coffee and find your spot on the Boardwalk to watch the parade this year which takes place May 16-18th, 2024.
Ocean City, MD is a music lover’s paradise! With such a diverse range of venues and events, there’s truly something for everyone. Whether you prefer intimate performances in bars and restaurants or larger concerts in parks and event centers, the live music scene seems to have it all. Plus, the mix of free and ticketed events means that enjoying great music doesn’t have to break the bank.
Sunfest
Special events such as Springfest, and Sunfest have free concerts all day long, plus ticketed events during the evening. Oceans Calling, the three day festival at the end of September, will feature over 30 performances on 3 stages, all on the classic Ocean City Boardwalk.
Sundaes in the Park at Northside Park
For something more budget friendly, Northside Park has free live music each Sunday in the summer during Sundaes in the Park. There’s free OC Beach Dance Parties at Caroline Street Stage each summer Monday evening where you can dance the night away. Sunset Park in Downtown Ocean City offers free concerts each Thursday night during the summer months with Sunset Park Party Nights.
Sunset Park
The Performing Arts Center has a varied selection of shows, dance and concerts all year long, and Freeman Arts Pavilion on Rt54, just a couple of miles west of Ocean City has a packed summer schedule of bands, shows, concerts, and kids shows, some paid, and some free. Check them all out here, you’re sure to find something that suits your budget and your taste!
Live music at Seacrets
Here’s some of the best places to catch some tunes in Ocean City Md:
Ocean City Md is a community which comes alive with music, especially during the summer season. Make it a point this summer to catch some of the shows available for all!
Surprise! April’s treating us to a gorgeous beach day. Warm sunshine, blue skies, and we even saw a few brave souls testing the water (which is definitely still freezing!). Ocean City’s gearing up for summer, and this feels like a sneak peek of the good times ahead. Check out these photos – wish you were here!
Ready to visit us? Take a look at some of the best hotels in Ocean City Md here!
As you start to plan your summer vacation or visit anytime of the year to Ocean City, Maryland, one of the things people tend to forget is to map out some of the great places to take that memorable photo that they will cherish long after their vacation is over. There are so many great pictures to be had on the beach and boardwalk, but we want to provide several other great photo opportunities to point out in downtown Ocean City. All of these locations are located south of 16th Street; some are on the Boardwalk and others on the side streets and avenues. So here are our ten selections for the upcoming 2024 season. And we’ll even tell you a little about each spot so that you can converse like an Ocean City expert to your friends and family when you recommend these locations as great places for their photos. As you will see, several locations have more than one photo opportunity to select from.
The White Marlin sculpture and water feature
White Marlin sculpture at entrance to Ocean City
This beautiful sculpture is one of the first things you see upon entering Ocean City from the Route 50 bridge into downtown Ocean City. It was completed in 2002 by Eastern Shore artist, Paul Lockhart. The water feature was added a year later. The sculpture is made of stainless steel and made to last. It highlights the fact that Ocean City is the “White Marlin Capital of the World!” This was the first public art project of the Ocean City Development Corporation, a local nonprofit organization that is charged with revitalizing the downtown district. All funding for this project consisted of donations to OCDC. In its short life, it has already become an iconic landmark in Ocean City. Don’t miss this landmark picture!
2) “Welcome to Downtown Ocean City” sign
Welcome To Downtown Ocean City sign
Immediately south of the white marlin sculpture is this small, nicely landscaped parcel that contains this Welcome to Downtown Ocean City sign. It’s a sand blasted sign that was installed about 2008 by the Town of Ocean City and OCDC. This small parcel was acquired by the Town of Ocean City and once held a severely burned house. This house sat in this terrible condition for one year until the Town purchased it and turned it into an attractive entrance feature as one arrives to Ocean City from the Route 50 Bridge. The Main Street sign was added about 2011 to signify that Ocean City was designated as part of the Main Street Maryland Community.
3) “Greetings from Ocean City MD” panel
Greetings from Ocean City Caroline Street
Just off the popular Ocean City Boardwalk on Caroline Street lies this 12 feet wide by 8 feet high panel which contains a great backdrop for a vacation picture. This first panel was installed about 2008 and recreated in higher resolution on a new panel about 2014. This was a joint project of the OCDC and the property owner of Fun City who were both looking for a new public art piece on an originally long blank wall. Within each letter of OCEAN City are iconic features and activities of Ocean City. Check it out!
4) Boardwalk arch
Ocean City Boardwalk Arch
At the east end of N. Division Street and on the west side of the Boardwalk is this attractive arch that was installed in 1999 as part of the Ocean City boardwalk improvements. These were the improvements that installed new wood decking, widened the boardwalk to include the concrete base south of 4th Street, new street lights, and boardwalk benches. The highlight of this project was the fun themed boardwalk arch located for many to see as entering Ocean City. But it’s also a great photo op for pedestrians looking for that opportune photo. Just remember the archway is quite tall and wide so its important to get the proper prospective standing under or next to it.
5) Painted utility boxes
Painted utility box at Somerset Street and St. Louis Avenue. By artist Bill Cioccio.
Just find a favorite painted utility box in the downtown area and get your picture next to it. There are dozens of these painted utility boxes to choose from; they all have an Ocean City or Eastern Shore theme. You can find a list of these painted boxes (some have been revised) at the following link: https://ocdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ArtOutsideTheBox_Online.pdf
These boxes, owned by Delmarva Power, were first painted in 2004 and most have been repainted by new artists and volunteers. This successful project was initiated by the OCDC and partnered with the Art League of Ocean City, other local organizations, local businesses, and area artists. So, pick out your favorite painted utility box for that special picture.
6) Native American sculpture
Sculpture by Peter Toth at OC Inlet
Located along the Ocean City inlet is this unique sculpture and the story behind the artist, Peter Wolf Toth. This sculpture by Mr. Toth was constructed and installed in 1976. He has returned to Ocean City to repair and maintain this oak wood sculpture. He has installed at least one of these majestic pieces in every US state and several countries. He has named these artworks as “Trail of the Whispering Giants.” Many drive by this sculpture on their visit to the Inlet Parking lot, but just a short walk along the inlet park area will bring you to this interesting artwork. Adjacent to this wooden sculpture is a plaque telling the story of this sculpture and Mr. Toth’s vision.
7) Wall mural on 15th Street shopping center
Large wall mural near 16th Street and Philadelphia Avenue
If you are walking, biking or driving south on Philadelphia Avenue you can’t miss this brightly colored wall mural on the west side of this street. It contains Ocean City themes of large crab, billfish, pelican, and more. It was painted two years ago by talented Ali Jacobs of TC Studios. TC Studios is located in one of the retail bays at this shopping center. The best viewing for this wall mural will be with limited vehicles present, of course.
8) Trimper Rides entrance sign
Trimper Rides south entrance to park from S. Division Street.
Just off the Boardwalk at S. Division Street is the south entrance to the Trimper Rides amusement park. Trimper is the oldest amusement park in Ocean City and how fitting to get a nice, memorable picture while standing under this archway. Plus, the Pirates Cove figure is near this sign, is a plus. And if were to take the picture from another angle you can even get the roller coaster as part of the background! The full amusement park will open on April 27th.
9) Ripley’s giant figures
Large Tire, Hulk and Rhino at Ripley’s on the Boardwalk
A trifecta of fun photo ops is found on the north wall of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum on the boardwalk at Wicomico Street. It is here that you will find the large Good Year tire that has been a photo fixture since 2001. Next to it is the all-powerful and imposing Hulk figure installed in 2022. And beside Hulk is the shiny Rhino figure, installed in 2019, that completes this trio of bigger than life features. Your kids will love these figures! And even the big kids (adults) too!
10) Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum area photo ops
South end of Boardwalk with several exhibits
What is more than a trifecta? A quadfecta! Located at the south end of the Ocean City Boardwalk is the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum. At this location you will find a variety of exhibits for great photo ops on the boardwalk for easy viewing. First is the large anchor, which is two- and one-half tons in weight and was recovered from the 1870’s shipwreck known locally as the Sailboat Wreck. Adjacent is a small cannon; British Manufactured Cannon, 12 pounder from about 1750. It was likely acquired by an American privateer armed vessel during the early American wars. It was uncovered in the 1980’s in Fells Point, Maryland. Next to these two displays is the exhibit case containing the largest white marlin caught in Ocean City. Not very far is another exhibit holding a large tiger shark (1,210 pounds) that was caught in 1983 off of Ocean City by Grace Czeniak. So much to select from. And while you are there, make time to visit the Life-Saving Station Museum. It’s loaded with Ocean City history items telling the story of everyone’s favorite coastal vacation resort.
So here are ten photo op locations with background information for you as you visit Ocean City on your next trip. Some may be old favorites, but some may be new. Either way, we look forward to seeing you around Ocean City and creating new memories.
There has been some confusion on when the polls close. We are sorry for the lack of clarity. The polls will close tonight just before midnight.
You can help select the iconic photo that will represent the Best of Ocean City® in 2024. This image will become a symbol of excellence, displayed on every winner’s plaque. The Best of Ocean City® contest is the ONLY contest where the people of Ocean City decide the champions. And now you can decide which photo designates these winners. Make your voice heard!
We’ve been blown away by the incredible talent showcasing Ocean City’s magic. After careful selection, the top 24 photos are now vying for your vote.
The Race is Tight!
A thrilling battle for the top spot rages on! Breathtaking sunrises dominate, with dolphins and kayaks adding unique flair to the top 5. Here’s where the contest stands:
Currently in first place with 16.38% of the votes is “Sunrise”
Only 20 votes behind is the “Sunrise with Bird” entry.
Currently in 2nd place with 16.08% of the votes.
Only 39 votes behind the current first place photo is “Dunes at Sunrise.”
Dunes at Sunrise is in 3rd place with 15.79% of the votesThe kayaks at sunset photo submission highlights the end of the day with great colors and composition and currently holds 6.52% of the vote.This dolphin photo rounds out the current final 5 in the Best of Ocean City photo contest and currently has 5.72% of the vote.
Polls close at 11:59 PM tonight – your vote could shape the outcome!
Every entry is a testament to Ocean City’s allure, and you’ll find them showcased on OceanCity.com and our Facebook page.
The winner will be revealed tomorrow morning. Make your voice heard – vote now!
We get lots of people asking whether the Boardwalk closes. The answer is no, not ever. The Ocean City Boardwalk is essentially just like a street – it’s always there to be walked upon and generally enjoyed. Although that hasn’t always been the case. That is, the beach is older than the boardwalk and was an attraction long before the first plank was laid.
Ocean City has a wonderful and storied past. An Englishman named Thomas Fenwick,the namesake of the Delaware resort that borders Ocean City to the north, once owned the land that our Ocean City of today rests upon. All who are involved in the city’s tourism today can look to Isaac Coffin as grandfather of that industry.
Yes, but Is the Ocean City Boardwalk Really Open?
Of course, many people know that the Ocean City Boardwalk itself doesn’t close, but they want to know whether there are things to do. Again, there is plenty to do on the Ocean City Boardwalk that is free and open all year. For example, you can play with your kids (or grandchildren or nieces and nephews, etc. ) at the playground.
The Boardwalk also makes a fantastic gym if you want to get some exercise in and keep off the winter pounds. And, in the off season, bikes and dogs are welcome back all day!
A little insider’s tip: The boardwalk is one of the best places to go for a run, even in the summer. So is the beach. Going on vacation doesn’t have to mean losing sight of your health and fitness goals, and if you’re willing to put in a little bit of time and energy, you …
‘But is the stuff open. The shops and that?’
The easiest answer to this is that there is no law that says they have to be closed, but each of the independent Boardwalk businesses sets and keeps its own hours. Shops are open most weekends through the end of October and starting again in March, but increasingly they are open pretty much every weekend all year, even the tee shirt shops.
The larger amusements, like Trimper Rides, are often open weekends through the end of October. Sometimes if the weather is expected to be awful, they’ll announce they will close. Mostly, though, their Facebook page is the best indicator of whether they’re open from week to week in the fall. Same in the spring, starting around Easter, their indoor rides will open weekends, with the full park often open by the end of April.
The arcades are open all year, so you can get your Skee Ball fix pretty much whenever.
You’ll always be able to find fries and a drink, but some restaurants and bars are open year round, or at least for the shoulder season. Captain’s Table on 15th Street is open all year round for breakfast and dinner, and Shenanigans opens around St Patrick’s Day each year, although it may be another few weeks before they are open seven days. Tipsy Taco on the Boardwalk at 18th Street is open during the summer months.
Editor’s note: I grew up near the Jersey Shore and developed an affinity for Boardwalk Skee Ball early on. I’ll be honest, I don’t like the new games, with their plastic balls and 100 point ringers. Give me a nicked up wooden ball, a mostly-warped sideboard and a handful of quarters and I’ll come home with the tackiest ticket treasure you’ve ever seen!
But what else is there to do?
One of our favorite things is to walk around snapping photos of our favorite place in the world. You can get some cool shots at interesting angles this time of year. Even better, you can follow us on Instagram (@OceanCityPhotos)
The Ocean City Boardwalk is arguably like no other place on Earth. Sure, there are other boardwalks lining the shores of coastal cities around the world, but somehow, OC is just a little bit different – maybe it’s something in our sector of the Atlantic Ocean water.
There’s no better way to whet your whistle for summer than to plan a trip to Ocean City while the crowds still are small. Whether you’re making a day trip or taking a long weekend, there are plenty of free things to do in Ocean City and the surrounding area so you can save your money and splurge when you come back in the summer. Here are the Top 5 Free Things to Do In Ocean City this Spring with links to the even more free event information.
Memorial Day weekend is often identified as the official start of summer, but many people don’t like to wait that long; so each spring, Ocean City welcomes the arrival of warm weather and celebrates the oncoming season with its first of many annual festivals: Springfest.
2. Cruisin’ OC Parades
May 16-18th on the Boardwalk
Cruisin’ OC features over 3,400 hot rods, customs, classics, street machines, muscle cars and more. Live entertainment, celebrity guests, special attractions, boardwalk parades, manufacturers vendor midway and more. Come for the free morning Boardwalk parades, stay for the other events throughout the weekend. Watch from the streets for free, but you can pay to join the show!
3. Boardwalk’ for Pets
April 27 8.30am – 10.30am
Head to the Boardwalk on April 27th to see all the dogs enjoying the Boardwalk! Event benefits the Worcester County Humane Society.
A great spectator and participant event! The Maryland International Kite Exposition will feature three fun-filled days of kite flying on the beautiful beaches of Ocean City, Maryland.
See new exhibits at the Art League of Ocean City’s free First Friday reception, on the first Friday of every month from 5 pm – 7 pm. Visit the Art League and be inspired. Home to a gallery, studio, classrooms and a library all dedicated to the arts. Meet the artists, enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and see the new exhibits by a variety of local artists. FREE. All are welcome.
Ocean City offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Northside Park, being the largest park in the area, provides ample space for walking, playing, and enjoying outdoor recreation. Whether visitors are looking to take a leisurely stroll or engage in more active pursuits, Northside Park offers a scenic and welcoming environment for all ages, and it’s FREE.
Of course, no visit to Ocean City would be complete without spending time at the beach and exploring the iconic Ocean City Boardwalk. With its expansive sandy shores and lively atmosphere, the beach is perfect for soaking up the sun, swimming, or simply taking in the beauty of the ocean. The Boardwalk, known for its shops, eateries, and entertainment, offers endless opportunities for fun and excitement, and best of all, it’s FREE to access and open year-round, allowing visitors to enjoy its charm in any season.
Ocean City, Maryland, with its iconic boardwalk, sandy beaches, and buzzing summer atmosphere, is a prime vacation destination. But beach trips can easily break the bank. Fear not! Here’s how to enjoy all that Ocean City offers without emptying your wallet.
The Main Attraction is Free!
The best thing about Ocean City is that its star attraction costs nothing. Miles of beautiful beaches are open to the public. Pack a picnic, grab your beach gear, and enjoy a classic seaside day of swimming, sunbathing, and sandcastle building. And while the views from the boardwalk are fantastic, strolling along it is also free – a perfect way to soak up the lively energy.
Affordable Accommodation
Oceanfront hotels can be pricey, but there are budget-friendly options.
Camping:
Nearby camping tucked in West Ocean City, on Assateague, and along the water on the mainland side of the bay, campgrounds offer a more affordable and adventurous lodging experience. Go to the camping page for more information.
Motels:
Many classic motels lie just off the main strip and offer decent rates. You can look for a motel on our motel page.
Vacation Rentals:
For longer stays or groups, consider a condo or house rental. These often provide kitchens, cutting your food costs significantly. You can search for rentals in our vacation rental guide.
Hotel Savings Tip:
Maximize your savings by purchasing discounted gift certificates at the Ocean City online store [https://www.oceancity.com/store/]. These certificates are 40% off, and you can even use multiple certificates together to really bring down your hotel costs! Some restrictions apply, but you can’t beat the hotels and the discounts!
Dining on a Dime
Eating out every meal quickly adds up. If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, stock up on groceries for breakfasts and lunches. Boardwalk food is tempting, but it’s also possible to find other tasty and affordable eats:
Happy Hours:
Many Ocean City restaurants offer fantastic happy hour specials on both food and drinks. Many more are offered during the off-season. The Angler has a 2 for 1 happy hour as does Longboard Cafe. You can also get discounted sunset cruises on a large boat when you have drinks or dinner at the Angler.
Casual Eats:
Grab delicious pizza by the slice, classic deli sandwiches, or a quick seafood fix at one of the many casual spots. You can try take-out and pizza for a different way to save money.
Pack Snacks:
Load up on snacks and drinks for the beach to avoid paying inflated boardwalk prices.
Explore the Inlet: Take a walk to the Ocean City Inlet for beautiful views, fishing opportunities, and the chance to spot wildlife.
Off-Season Adventures
Spring brings lots of events to Ocean City.
If you can swing it, consider visiting Ocean City during the shoulder seasons (spring or fall). You’ll still enjoy pleasant weather, smaller crowds, and significantly lower accommodation prices.
Ocean City doesn’t have to be a budget-buster. With a little planning and the savvy use of discounted gift certificates, you can experience the magic of this beach town without breaking the bank!
On April 8th, 2024, beachgoers in Ocean City, Maryland, will have a front-row seat to a remarkable astronomical event – a partial solar eclipse. This celestial phenomenon occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, temporarily casting a shadow on our planet.
When and Where to Watch
The partial eclipse will begin in Ocean City at approximately 2:11 PM EDT, reaching its maximum phase around 3:36 PM EDT. At its peak, about 80% of the sun’s disk will be obscured by the moon. The eclipse will conclude at approximately 4:54 PM EDT.
While the eclipse can be safely viewed from anywhere in Ocean City, the beach and boardwalk offer particularly stunning vantage points. Gather with friends, family, or fellow astronomy enthusiasts to witness this cosmic dance unfold.
Safety First
It’s important to remember that looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause serious eye damage. Never view a solar eclipse without proper eye protection. Approved solar eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers provide safe viewing experiences.
Partial solar eclipses are a reminder of the awe-inspiring scale and dynamics of our solar system. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a breathtaking celestial sight in Ocean City, Maryland.
The photos are in! An incredible 200+ photos were submitted in the Best of Ocean City® photo contest, showcasing the vibrant spirit and stunning beauty of our beloved town. Now, it’s your turn to decide.
The stakes are high! The winning image won’t just be admired – it will become a symbol of Ocean City’s finest. Gracing the 2024 award plaques proudly displayed by the Best of Ocean City® winners, your chosen photo will serve as a beacon of excellence throughout the town.
Your turn to vote for your favorites!
We’ve carefully narrowed the field down to a shortlist of finalists. Now, it’s up to you to crown the champion! Cast your votes for your top 5 photos in our easy-to-use poll. The photo with the most votes will etch its place in Ocean City history.
Remember, if the top vote-getter is unusable for any reason, we’ll move to the runner-up. Your voice matters – help us select an image that truly embodies the heart of Ocean City!
You have 2 weeks to vote!
Polls close April 16th. You can vote one time per day. Please help us choose the photo that will go on the 2024 Best of Ocean City® winners plaques which will be proudly displayed by the very best businesses in Ocean City!
The Beach to Bay Heritage Area will present their annual celebration, Civil Rights on the Shore: An Evening of History and Song with Dr. Clara Small and Dr. John Wesley Wright, Tenor at the Charles H. Chipman Cultural Center in downtown Salisbury on May 8 th from 4:30-6:30pm.
Enjoy an evening with Dr. Clara Small and Dr. John Wesley Wright to discover and celebrate the Civil Rights movement here on the shore. The Charles H. Chipman Cultural Center, built in 1838, will serve as the backdrop for this event. The Chipman Center is the oldest standing African-American church on Delmarva. Later abandoned as a church, it was purchased by educators, Professor Charles H. Chipman and his wife Jeanette Chipman. They donated the building for use as a cultural center to honor the history and accomplishments of the black community.
Speakers:
Dr. Clara Small
Dr. Clara Small, renowned Delmarva historian, will illuminate the Shore’s unique civil rights journey and the brave individuals who shaped it.
Tenor, Dr. John Wesley Wright
Acclaimed Tenor, Dr. John Wesley Wright, will bring to life the anthems of the movement, stirring hearts and souls.
Dunes at Sunrise took the lead in the last 24 hours, winning with 17.56% of the nearly 9000 votes cast.
Ocean City, MD – April 18, 2024 – OceanCity.com is delighted to announce the winner of the prestigious Best of Ocean City® 2024 Photo Contest. Tera Coates’ breathtaking image, “Dunes at Sunrise,” has been crowned the victor, capturing the hearts of voters with its stunning depiction of Ocean City’s natural beauty.
The contest was a resounding success, with almost 9000 votes cast. “Dunes at Sunrise” emerged as the favorite, securing 17.56% of the total votes. The competition was incredibly close, with only 74 votes separating the top three entries.
“We were blown away by the sheer talent and passion displayed in all of the submissions,” stated Ann Hillyer, CEO of OceanCity.com. “Tera’s photo truly embodies the spirit of Ocean City, and we’re honored to have it represent the Best of Ocean City® awards in 2024.”
Tera Coates’ winning photo will adorn every winner’s plaque for the 2024 Best of Ocean City® contest, serving as a symbol of excellence throughout the town.
“We take our family vacation every year to Ocean City and the sunrises there are incredible. Our favorite thing to do is visit Assateague State Park before the sun is up and watch the sunrise on a secluded beach while looking for ocean treasures! Ocean City, Maryland is our happy place!” said Tera Coates when describing the photo after she learned of her win.
Calling All Ocean City Fans: Vote for Your Favorite Businesses!
The excitement continues! Voting to determine the winners in the 2024 Best of Ocean City® contest closes on May 7, 2024. Make your voice heard and support your local favorites. Winners will be announced on May 21st. Look for the coveted winners’ plaques featuring Tera’s stunning “Dunes at Sunrise” photo at the finest establishments in Ocean City before Memorial Day.
Top Vote Getters in the Photo Contest
Dunes at Sunrise – 17.56% (1,542 votes)
Sunrise with Bird – 16.76% (1,472 votes)
Sunrise – 16.72% (1,468 votes)
Dolphins with Pier and Beach – 5.72 % (502 votes)
Kayaks – 5.70% (501 votes)
OceanCity.com extends a heartfelt thank you to all the talented photographers who participated in the contest and to everyone who voted. Your enthusiasm for Ocean City is what makes this community so special!
Springfest 2024 will be here before we know it. OceanCity.com was there to film the opening of 2023 Springfest as festival goers streamed into the festival grounds at the Ocean City inlet parking lot.
Springfest 2024 – May 2nd – 5th.
We have put together a list of questions and answers that may help you navigate Springfest this year. If you have any other questions, please contact us by making a comment on this post or go to our Facebook page and leave us a message with your questions. We will try to answer them for you.
The Town of Ocean City has two stages set up for free concerts throughout Springfest. There are also three headline concerts which are ticketed. You can see the headline concerts here.
The best place to park is at your hotel. Then, just take the Ocean City Beach Bus down Coastal Highway to the Inlet. If you are driving into Ocean City for the day and don’t have a hotel where you can leave your car, we recommend parking at the West Ocean City Park & Ride and take the shuttle from there. There is some metered street parking downtown, but it fills up fast. You can also park at the Convention Center and take the bus.
If you bought a handicap ticket to one of the headline events that means that your ticket is in one of the handicap zones at the concert. There, everybody has a seat, but the seats can be removed if you prefer to sit in your own chair or wheelchair.
Great question! There are 3 headline concerts and the rest of the music throughout this 4 day festival at the inlet parking lot are FREE to the public. To find the headline concerts, click here.
For a list of the free concerts going on throughout each day of the festival, click here.
Transport to/from 40th St. South Convention Center parking lot and Springfest fair grounds. Service is approx. every 20 minutes. Thursday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. & Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Yes. The bus is normally free from the Park and Ride in West Ocean City, but during the big festival weekends, the Town charges $4 to ride all day. The schedule is here.
In 2016, a small group of volunteers took action to collect the trash and litter that was left behind by a winter storm of that year. This storm brought lots of rain and wind; along with lots of scattered debris. In stepped a group of volunteers to assist with the clean-up efforts and also started a much larger grass roots trash clean-up program. They have been cleaning ever since!
Volunteers at work
The Organization and its Volunteers
This group of volunteers includes a small band of dedicated leaders who are also the six administrators of the program. What started out as a small group has evolved into an efficient, cleaning machine, which meets every Tuesday morning, year-round, to clean a section of Ocean City. From its simple beginnings, known as Clean Beach OC, the organization was eventually renamed Beach Heroes OC. The volunteer pool keeps growing, as community awareness increases.
In the summer season, these Tuesday clean-ups will average between fifty to sixty people! In the off season, the numbers decrease but still average from twenty-five to thirty-five people.
Volunteer at work
This small group states its purpose as, “Our Mission is to support Ocean City’s litter free campaign by meeting weekly to collect debris, and to dispose of it responsibly. We strive to be good stewards of our coast community, building community relationships, and be a model of volunteerism, so that future generations can continue such stewardship and enjoy the benefits of coastal living.”
Beach Heroes OC volunteers consists of a range of people. Most of its volunteers are area residents who have relocated from elsewhere to live and enjoy the Ocean City coastal area. Others are tourists coming from other parts of Maryland and Delaware and beyond; who just appreciate volunteering for a good cause for an area they have come to love. Children and young adults help out during the year, but primarily in the summer months. Some youths participate and are able to apply their efforts toward service-learning credits for their school requirements.
Beach Heroes OC logo and info
Comments from several of its Administrators
According to group Administrator, Leslie Eisenhauer, “Beach Heroes OC is a grassroots organization that operates from the Ocean City Inlet area to the Delaware state line. They work from the Beach to the Bay.”
Administrator Colleen Degroot added, “We have a great core of volunteers. One year we even had a clean-up on Christmas Day!”
Leslie Eisenhauer commented, “Everywhere trash goes around here it will eventually end up in our waterways. Our goal is to model what stewardship of the environment can look like, help keep the fragile ecosystem clean, and support the Town’s Litter Free Campaign in the effort to preserve the joy and beauty of coastal living.”
As the group gets more attention through its good works, they anticipate an increase in volunteer numbers this summer. Gayle Myrta, who also takes pictures of the group’s clean-up events, says, “As Beach Heroes receives more coverage from the local news, television and our Facebook page, we hope to get additional volunteers as well as sponsors.”
Volunteers at work at cleanup event
Typical clean-up day
So, what’s a typical day for a Beach Heroes OC volunteer? It starts with the weekly clean-up gathering on a Tuesday at 9am. However, some volunteers will arrive earlier to start their assigned tasks. The group convenes at a designated location where trash bags, litter grabbers, and gloves are distributed. After an hour of cleaning, the full group meets at the original starting point to review the total volume or weight of trash collected that day, for fellowship, and to take a group picture that is shared with its many Face Book followers.
Volunteers will cover a five or six street area of Ocean City each week. Some will clean the beach while other volunteers will clean the interior blocks and bayside area. The size of the area to be cleaned is dependent on the number of volunteers that show up. The group generally avoids the parking fee areas in the Town that operate during the summer months but gets to these areas in the off-season months. Tuesdays have been selected because it is easier for the volunteers to find a place to park than on weekends. Plus, after weekends there tends to be a greater volume of trash that accumulates, which coincides with more people being in Ocean City and thus more litter. As Leslie Eisenhauer, one of its administrators, states, “While we know the Town does a great job of cleaning, we are the extra set of “boots on the ground” working in the bushes, parking lots, dunes, and marshes picking up the trash out and preventing it from getting into the bay and ocean.”
During the summer season, volunteers will often collect the ever-increasing amount of single use plastic bags, cups, and straws in addition to bottles, diapers, and paper products. For the off-season months, when construction is more prevalent in the resort, volunteers will often collect construction debris.
These committed volunteers will arrive in nice weather, middling weather, and even in poor weather to clean the beach and streets of Ocean City. The administrators will only cancel a clean-up event if the weather is going to be very wet, snowing, or other extreme conditions.
“Sea of Blue”
Volunteer receives his blue t-shirt after five volunteer days
The group awards its regular volunteers with two gifts. If a volunteer works five days the participant will receive a blue T-shirt with the group’s emblem. If one volunteers twenty-five times, they will get a blue hooded sweat shirt. These volunteer days do not have to be consecutive, but only cumulative. A volunteer is charged with tracking these volunteer days. Not only does Beach Heroes provide these gifts to recognize their regular volunteers’ efforts, but as Leslie states, “It also creates a sense of belonging and draws attention to the litter issue in OC when our ‘sea of blue’ is along the streets on Tuesday mornings.”
Fun Facts
The group collected 14.6 tons of litter and debris in 2023.
Over eighteen hundred hours of volunteer service in 2023, which was double the number of volunteer hours in 2022.
The group has had over 350 different volunteers help them at different times over the years.
The largest piece of trash collected was the cover to a pickup bed.
The most undesirable trash to get picked up are baby diapers and needles. According to Gayle Myrta, Administrator, “We had one of our volunteers pick up twenty diapers from a single bush! Twenty diapers!!”
Partners and Sponsors
Beach Heroes OC works with the Town of Ocean City and receives some of its supplies, like liter grabbers and large trash bags, from the Town. Leslie also serves as the group’s representative on the Town’s Coastal Resources Legislative Committee often referred to as simply the “Green Team.” The Green Team is charged with issues and concerns impacting the environmental and natural resources of the Town.
Cleanup supplies donated by others for volunteer use.
Beach Heroes OC also gets assistance in many ways from a number of local and area businesses. These include K-Coast Surf Shop, Shotti’s Point restaurant, The Wave Riding School, Malibu’s Surf Shop, Spicer Bros. Construction, and Royal Plus, Inc., and Quiet Storm Surf Shop. Past business sponsors included The Dough Roller Restaurants and Fager’s Island Restaurant.
Colleen Degroot says, “The businesses have been so supportive of our efforts by donating trash bags and allowing us to park in their lots, to sponsoring our blue T-shirts and hoodies for our volunteers. What people may not realize is that although we are a resort town, there is really a community at the heart of it.”
Group picture after morning cleanup.
Comments about Beach Heroes OC
Beach Heroes OC volunteer, Linda Parkhill; “My husband and I retired and moved to this area fulltime. We were looking for something to do and saw a mention of this group in a local paper. We volunteer regularly and have done so about thirty times now (and has her blue hooded sweatshirt). We enjoy helping out and cleaning up. We know the Town of Ocean City does a great job in overall clean-up. But we get into all the “nicks and crannies” and bushes to make sure all litter is picked up, too.”
Volunteer Sue Abady: “My husband and I were involved in litter efforts while we lived Massachusetts. When we moved to Ocean City, we were looking for similar volunteer work. I heard about this group on Facebook and have been volunteering since July 2023. I like the dedication these volunteers bring to keeping Ocean City clean.”
Jenelle Gerthoffer, Environmental Engineer, Town of Ocean City: “The Town is fortunate to have such a dedicated group of volunteers who can be spotted working tirelessly throughout the entire year, even on cold, windy winter days or rainy, humid summer days. Not only does the group provide their time keeping Ocean City clean, but they are also an active participant on the Ocean City Green Team.”
Chris Shanahan, owner of K-Coast Surf Shop on how he became a sponsor: “We just started to notice the Beach Heroes cleaning up trash at our 35th Street location as we were doing the same thing…it’s a daily routine with us as our bushes out front are trash magnets for trash blowing around on the road and quite honestly/sadly, people walking down the sidewalk use the same bushes as trash cans for their fast food trash and alcohol containers…and I would always thank the volunteer picking up “our” trash. Beach Heroes reached out to my manager Kevin to see if we would be interested in “sponsoring” their efforts as they have had previous sponsors, Fager’s and the Dough Roller in particular, and were in need of a new sponsor. I interacted with Colleen and mentioned that our sponsorship could include producing their aqua blue Beach Heroes gear which their volunteers wear. I also commandeered the support of Shotti’s (Mike Shott) and WaveRiding School (Brian Stoehr) to help in the sponsorship as both entities operate out of the 35th st location and their logos appear on the BH gear along with K-Coast.”
Chris Shanahan, owner of K-Coast Surf Shop on how Beach Heroes benefits the Ocean City area: “I didn’t recognize the far reaching benefits of the Beach Heroes team until I started seeing the magnitude of volunteers all over town on Tuesday’s…honestly, I thought that it was members of various condo associations cleaning up their properties until Colleen explained their mission to me. Street sweepers can’t pick up trash out of bushes I know that and the Beach Heroes team fills the gap of keeping OC clean in that regard.”
Upcoming Cleanup Dates and locations in April
Regular Tuesday Cleanups from 9 am-10 am:
April 2 14th Street – Oceanside
April 9 23rd Street & Baltimore Avenue (Days Inn lot)
April 16 4th Street & Baltimore Avenue (Municipal Lot on the left)
Tentative visit at 10am by Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan
April 23 28th Street & Baltimore Avenue (behind Coins restaurant)
April 30 Inlet -Downtown oceanside (Municipal lot)
Special Cleanup Events:
Saturday, April 6: Multi group clean-up event – 100th Street Bayside at the OC Library at 9am
Saturday, April 20: Beach Heroes-OC Earth Day Clean-up at Samuel Bowen Pkwy – Walmart Shopping Center 9-10 am
Saturday, April 20: Ocean Pines Season Expo Kick-Off at Whitehorse Park in Ocean Pines 3-7 pm
Cleanup sign of Beach Heroes OC
Looking to volunteer?
The best way to learn more about their efforts is to follow them on Facebook. Each month Beach Heroes will post its cleaning schedule including the location, date and time to meet. No need to let them know of your interest in volunteering ahead of time. Just show up, meet the group, and start cleaning with them!! You will not regret that you did. And start earning your volunteer time to get a blue T-shirt or hooded sweatshirt and make that Sea of Blue a tidal wave of civic pride!!
Pictures and images were provided by the Beach Heroes OC.
News of Roses Department Store’s closure and eventual demolition has brought a wave of nostalgia and disappointment to Ocean City. For over 40 years, this store was more than just a place to shop; its familiar aisles stocked everything from beach toys to garden tools, from lady’s dresses to electronics, from groceries to home furnishings. It has become a fixture in the lives of locals and visitors to Ocean City, looking for a quick shop at a reasonable price.
Roses made the things you need and want for your vacation, affordable. It was never the most glamorous store, but usually you could find what you needed there, and it didn’t break the bank. On my first visit to Ocean City, some 30 years ago in 1994, myself and some friends were looking for a place to buy film for our cameras. “Try Roses” our boss told us. Then someone said they wanted an Ocean City T shirt and some sun screen. “Roses will have that” our boss mentioned. “Where’s the best place to get our photos developed?” I asked. “Roses” I was once again told. My friends and I couldn’t wait to see the store that was the solution to our all needs. All coming from the UK, we had never heard of Roses, and had no idea what to expect, except for an amazing store that would allow us to shop till we dropped. We got off the bus at 94th Street and saw the store at the front of the Mall. We headed inside, and it has to be said, we were left a little disappointed by what we saw. It lacked glitz to say the least, and walking in, we realized it wasn’t the sleek, modern stores we were used to back home. However, an hour later, when we were back on the bus headed north to our condo clutching full shopping bags, we realized that we had in fact managed to purchase everything we needed and had money left over, and so Roses became a regular destination throughout our summer in Ocean City. All our photos were developed there, new film bought, snacks gathered, and many souvenirs purchased to take back home stacked in our suitcases. While Roses might not have been the most beautiful store around, it held a certain charm. It was a snapshot of a different time in Ocean City, a place where practicality trumped fancy displays. Looking back, it feels like a piece of that summer we captured within those full shopping bags.
So like many visitors to Ocean City, and locals in Ocean City, we want to say thank you to Roses, our less than glamorous friend, who has always been there for us. We will mourn your loss and remember all the good times you allowed us to have.
Roses is scheduled to close permanently this June. It will be replaced by a new ACME Supermarket that will replace the existing ACME, which is also slated for demolition.
Nearby camping tucked in West Ocean City, on Assateague, and along the water on the mainland side of the bay, campgrounds offer a more affordable and adventurous lodging experience. Go to the 
During the summer, catch family-friendly movies on the big screen – no tickets required!
