13 Year Old Reece Schindler Takes Ocean City Bay Fishing By Storm

Katie Ruskey
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13 Year Old Reece Schindler Takes Ocean City Bay Fishing By Storm

There’s a new fisherman in Ocean City and he’s not quite what you’d think. At only 13 years old, Reece Schindler has taken the Assawomen Bay back bay fishing game by storm! Check out how Reece began his run of catches in the Ocean City, Maryland scene.

Young and Skilled

Reece Schindler taking rock fishing to an entirely new level.

An 8th grader at St. Casimir Catholic School in Baltimore, Maryland, Reece has only one thing on his mind. And that would be fishing! Bay back fishing for flounder or deep sea fishing for tuna, Schindler is making a name for himself in the Ocean City fishing community. “When I was old enough to hold a fishing rod, I just knew I loved fishing.” Growing up fishing with family members such as his grandfather and Uncle Skip and being a member of Cub Scouts for six years, Reece learner a lot! “I can tell the type of fish on a line before it even comes up. The way they bite and how they fight tells me right away what kind they are,” he explains. 

Over 20 Species!

Reece Schindler and mentor Rich Daiker at the 50 Bridge catching flounder.

Reece began fishing in Ocean City just over a year ago alongside his mentor, Rich Daiker, who is no stranger to the fishing tournament podium. Daiker has won several Ocean City fishing tournaments including the annual Flounder Pounder held at Bahia Marina at Fish Tales. In the past year Reece has landed over 20 species of fish! Some include flounder, rockfish, sea robin, spot, needle nose, sheepshead, and seabass. He’s even landed larger, more sought after fish such as a mako shark weighing over 200 pounds! When asked about how different fish fight, Schindler explains, “Shark and tuna give the biggest fight!”

Early Bird Catches the Fish

Schindler and Daiker team up to take Assawoman Bay by storm.

Reece loves to get an early start. “It’s a great way to wake up.  You can map out a plan, grab your cooler, catch your bait, and be fishing by first light. My favorite time to fish is in the early morning- day break. But I also enjoy fishing during the day.” 

For some anglers, may get tired of the long days and possible lag in between catches but not Schindler. “We fish for hours at a time.  We start off by throwing a net to catch bunker, spot, and mullet for bait.  We fish until we break for lunch.  Then we start again after lunch by netting fresh bait.  We then fish until dinner or dark. I never get bored.  If the fish are not biting we rig our other lines to try other tricks.” 

“Fish Don’t Catch Themselves”

Reece Schindler holds a check for placing in The Bluefish Tournament sponsored by Ducks Unlimited.

When asked for some of the best fishing advice he’s gotten his quick reply was, “Fish don’t catch themselves.” However, that doesn’t seem to be a problem for him. This summer alone Reece has won several fishing tournaments. He’s won second and third place in the bluefish tournament at Fish Tales in addition to taking the lead in the kids division. He’s won the bluefish division and 3rd place in the spot division of the Kids Classic. And that’s not all! Let’s add in reeling in 40” rock fish and a cow nose ray that weighed a whopping 38 pounds! In addition, Reece was able to participate in the 50th Anniversary White Marlin Open tournament, the largest bill fish tournament in the world! “The White Marlin Open was a once in a lifetime opportunity.  To see all the boats on the water was pretty amazing.  The fish that are weighed in are pretty cool.” Unfortunately he didn’t boat anything for the money categories, but the experience was definitely worth it. 

A Guy With Priorities 

Reece Schindler takes a break from fishing to enjoy hunting season.

When fishing isn’t is season, Reece is busy during the hunting season as well. However he’s currently completing high school applications in the Baltimore County School district. Ocean City can’t wait to welcome Reece and family back in town next summer. And we absolutely look forward to more photos and tallies  in the win column for next year’s fishing tournaments.

Phil Perdue- The Piano Man at The Captain’s Table

Katie Ruskey
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Phil Perdue- The Piano Man at The Captain’s Table

An upscale environment, classy cocktails, and live piano music can only mean one thing. Dinner at The Captain’s Table. For the past 10 years, the iconic restaurant in Ocean City, Maryland has offered live piano music every Friday and Saturday nights. But who’s the man behind the ivories? 

An OC Local with Incredible Musical Talent

Phil sits behind the piano and serves up beautiful dinner music at The Captain’s Table in OCMD.

His name is Phil Perdue. Remember his name because once you hear this melodic piano playing, you’ll be going back for more. At an early age of 7, Phil became interested in the beautiful instrument- the 88 keys, the feel of the ivories, and of course the music that can be produced.  He began experimenting with the instrument by playing different chords and listening to which sounds flowed off the strings. With one pedal to lower the volume of the sound and another to elongate and carry over the notes, Phil was taken back by what sounds he was able to make. 

After listening to Phil play a few weeks ago, I was taken back at the fact that he has never taken actual piano lessons! Nor does he read sheet music! Everything that you hear him play is completely by ear. Phil will occasionally dabble with YouTube to practice his miraculous gift, but doesn’t spend too much time on it. 

One might think that in order to prepare for such an intimate show, where diners are seated within close proximity listening to your music, Phil must prepare for hours upon hours. But nope! Phil doesn’t do any specific warm up of sorts. No finger exercises, no stretching. He attributes his stellar piano playing to one thing that he must do before the show. What might that be? Obviously ordering a five star meal from the menu at The Captain’s Table. Phil begins each evening at the bar with his favorite bartenders having a relaxing meal before setting the ambiance of the evening.

The Captain’s Table Serves Music, Too!

Phil loves the locals and visitors alike as he tickles the ivories in OCMD.

When asked about his job Phil explains, “I enjoy all the locals and all the people who return year after year in addition to meeting new people. I also enjoy the great staff at The Captain’s Table. It’s a great place!” Phil loves when his audience requests songs for him to play. He plays various genres of music from oldies to new music such as Billy Joel. Tony Bennett, and even Lady Gaga. But the one song that people ask for the most is…you guessed it- Elton John’s Piano Man.

You can catch Phil Perdue tickling the ivories at The Captain’s Table every Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 5pm-9pm. To get the full feel of a relaxing evening of live piano music, grab yourself a seat nearby and order a glass of The Captain’s Table infused liquor behind the bar, which changes seasonally. Previously they’ve offered bacon infused brandy and summer sangria. It’s been said to taste like “summer in a glass.”

The Boardwalk and 15th Street

Local Phil Perdue attributes a great dinner at The Captain’s Table to his melodic nightly performances.

The Captain’s Table is located directly on the boardwalk inside The Courtyard by Marriott on 15th street and Atlantic Avenue. This summer The Captain’s Table offered a new menu which now includes a decadent surf and turf, lobster stir fry, and tomahawk steak that will leave you speechless. In addition to a new menu, the most experienced bartenders in Ocean City are serving up dazzling cocktails such as espresso martinis and scotch on the rocks to warm you up on the upcoming fall evenings.

Northside Park Gears Up for a Dazzling Winterfest of Lights in Ocean City, MD

Anne
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Northside Park Gears Up for a Dazzling Winterfest of Lights in Ocean City, MD

It’s not too early to talk about Winterfest of Lights, is it? It can’t be, as a walk through Northside Park right now will show the Town already busy putting together this mesmerizing holiday extravaganza that transforms our beach resort into a winter wonderland each winter. 

Each year, from mid November through New Years Eve, Northside Park is adorned with over a million dazzling lights, creating a magical show of illuminated displays, animated figures, and enchanting holiday scenes. And this year, new for 2023, not only can you walk through the Winterfest of Lights, but the Town is bringing back the Winterfest Express tram ride with multiple “trolly” stops to assist in making your way around the 58 acre Northside Park!

And you thought decoration your home was a lot of work! Here’s what’s happening at Northside Park right now, in preparation for Winterfest of Lights! 

The famous Christmas Tree, halfway done!
Looks like Santa is yet to take off in his plane
I spy Candy Canes!
Look at this and hear the music!
All lined up
Waiting to be lit!
What is this?
Before we know it, this tree will be sparkling and flashing all the colors and patterns of the season

Find out more about this years Winterfest of Lights at https://www.oceancity.com/winterfest/

Shine Bright Ocean City: Chamber Lights Decorating Contest

Anne
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Shine Bright Ocean City: Chamber Lights Decorating Contest

It’s never too early to start planning for the Holidays, and it takes a certain amount of time and lot of planning to decorate hotels and restuarants here at the beach. But it’s worth it! If you have never visited Ocean City during the winter season, let us tell you, it has a whole different feel to it. Gone are the sandy bare feet, damp towels and rinsed out swim suites hanging on the balcony. Instead, you’ll find a warm jacket and a pair of sturdy shoes will be your most important accessories, much needed in the winter months when walking the beach on a December afternoon, an activity we absolutely recommend by the way, even if it’s a tad cold. And of course no visit to Ocean City leading up to the Holidays is complete unless you visit the Winterfest of Lights, an amazing collection of sparkling, twinkling and glittering lights at Northside Park.

Winterfest of Lights at Northside Park

That alone is worth the visit, but staying in a hotel or visiting a restaurant fully decked out for the Holidays adds just another element to make your visit magical. The Ocean City Chamber of Commerce is a huge part of encouraging businesses to add to the sparkle of Ocean City during the Holidays. They encourage their members to enter the annual Chamber Lights Decorating Contest!

The Holidays at the Hilton

They even have a Chamber Lights Booklet which includes holiday event information and a list of entries in the decorating contest, so you can go out your way to feast at restaurants fully in the Holiday mood!  

Christmas at the Carousel Hotel

Their Experience OC app will feature a tour which will have interactive maps and directions to the displays so you won’t miss out on any shimmering hotels and dressed up restaurants in town! Add this tour to your visit this Holiday season, stay in a festive hotel, drink hot chocolate, visit Winterfest of Lights, and dine at restaurants decorated for the Holidays. The perfect winter break for the family. 

Park Place Hotel

Businesses interested in participation in the Chamber Lights Decorating Contest should contact Colby for entry forms, deadlines & info colby@oceancity.org 410-213-0144 ext. 110

Embracing the Tranquil Beauty of Fall at Northside Park, Ocean City, MD

Anne
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Embracing the Tranquil Beauty of Fall at Northside Park, Ocean City, MD

As the vibrant hues of summer gradually give way to the earthy tones of autumn, there’s a special place in Ocean City that beckons those in search of serene beauty, crisp air, and a gentle escape from the rush of everyday life. Northside Park in Ocean City is an oasis of tranquility during the fall season, where the bay, the trees, and the peaceful ambiance create a harmonious blend that’s nothing short of magical.

A Bayfront Serenity

One of the most enchanting features of Northside Park is its bayfront location. As the summer crowds disperse and the searing heat of mid-July mellows into the mild warmth of September and October, the park’s tranquil bay waters take on a serene demeanor. The Assawoman Bay stretches out before you, glistening under the gentle sun, and it’s impossible not to be captivated by its beauty. 

Take a leisurely stroll along the park’s pier, letting the soft, salty breeze and the soothing sound of lapping waves calm your senses. The bay is dotted with boats that seem to be in no particular hurry, mirroring the pace of life in Northside Park during the fall. As you walk, don’t be surprised if you spot a family of ducks or even a graceful heron exploring the water’s edge.

A Tapestry of Autumnal Colors

When autumn descends upon Northside Park, it transforms the lush greenery of summer into a rich tapestry of fall colors. The park’s trees, normally clad in shades of green, take on hues of red, orange, and gold. The paved pathways wind through the trees, inviting you to take a leisurely stroll beneath their canopies, your path occasionally scattered with a carpet of fallen leaves.

Don’t forget to look up, as the trees create a natural cathedral that filters the sunlight, casting an enchanting play of light and shadow on the ground below. It’s a perfect spot for capturing some truly Instagram-worthy moments or simply losing yourself in the beauty of the season.

The Gift of Peaceful Solitude

One of the most delightful aspects of Northside Park in the fall is the sense of calm and peaceful solitude. With the summer tourists gone and the hustle and bustle of summer is replaced by a gentle hush, it’s the ideal time to find your own tranquil space.

You can bring a blanket, a book, or just yourself, and settle down on the grassy expanses. The park provides ample picnic areas, so you can enjoy a snack while relishing the serenity around you. The playgrounds and pavilions, once abuzz with children, now offer quiet corners for introspection.

Embrace the Fall at Northside Park

The park is a wonderful place for a leisurely walk, an outdoor picnic, or just some precious moments of solitude in nature. As the weather remains fine, make sure to explore Northside Park in all its autumn glory. It’s a serene haven where you can find peace, beauty, and a deep connection with the changing seasons. So, grab a jacket, a good friend, or a warm cup of cider, and let the magic of Northside Park in the fall season envelop you.

Have a Howling Good Halloween in Ocean City Md!

Anne
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2
Have a Howling Good Halloween in Ocean City Md!

We’re halfway through October already, and that means just one thing – 8 months till summer?  No!  It’s Halloween soon!  Most visitors to Ocean City arrive in the summer months, but there is something special about the month of October in Ocean City Md.  It could be the crisp clear air, the deep blue skies or the gentle scattering of people on the Boardwalk, very different from the crowds found during the summer months.  October is also a month full of events for the young and the young at heart. Here are just a few of them to choose from.

 

Ready to get scared? Join the Ocean City Art League for a special showcase of short horror films from the Ocean City Film Festival vaults. Wear your spookiest costume and enter our costume contest! Three winners will win Film Fest swag. Come at 6 pm and enjoy an hour of mingling and refreshments in the Arts Center. Films begin at 7 pm on the tennis courts next door (weather permitting). Stay after the films for a Q&A with the filmmakers in attendance. $5 suggested donation at the door. Bring your own chairs.

The Beach Maze will be found on the beach near North Division Street. Children of all ages will enjoy a FREE wander around the sands of the giant maze. Look out for the witches, pirates, scarecrows, ghouls, and zombies which will add to the excitement. The Maze will be open 10am–5.30pm, Thursday – Sunday, October 19-22nd, weather permitting.

Saturday Evening Beach Bonfire & Fireworks will take place as the sun sets on October 21st from 5-7pm. Fireworks start at 7pm.  Gather on the beach for a cozy bonfire, followed by dazzling fireworks, creating a magical family-friendly evening.

 

The Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade shows off your pets at their best, dressed for the nines, or at least for Halloween.  There will be prizes and surprises and this event is free to participate in, if you donate pet food or other pet-friendly items to the Humane Society. It takes place at North Division Street and the Boardwalk. And it’s FREE to watch! 1pm – 2:30pm, Saturday October 21st. *Rain Date: Sunday, October 22 at 11:30pm

Great Pumpkin Race is Sunday October 22nd at 1pm. You can either watch or participate in this fun race as racers of all ages create their very own pumpkin racecars to bump their way to the finish line. It takes place at North Division Street, near the Boardwalk. 

The Drive in Disguise and Halloween Parade takes place on 27th Street on the Beach. Four Wheel Drives dressed for a scare will drive south down the beach from 30th Street to the Amusement Pier. October 22nd from 3pm.

 

Sunfest is October 19-22 this year, and will include free live entertainment on two stages, over 30 food vendors, and a huge selection of arts and craft vendors. This is four days filled with something for all the family, including over 250 vendors, live music, artistic demonstrations, gourmet food and beverages, and kids activities. Make sure you grab a beer at this years craft beer garden!

The last Saturday in October sees the annual Shore Craft Beer Festival, to be held at Sunset Park from 12:30pm – 4:30pm. Join us this October 28th in Ocean City’s scenic Sunset Park to celebrate OCtoberfest with great local craft beer. Remember, dogs, kids and non-drinkers are welcome too! Our OCtoberfest Craft Beer Festival has live music from The Dunehounds, vendors, food trucks and over 30 different local craft beers by local and regional brewers. Tickets are available for this wonderful event on October 28th at shorecraftbeerfest.com.

Seacrets Annual Halloween Party and Costume Contest is October 28th from 4pm – 2am. This Halloween party is not one for the weak. Show off your best costume and you could win a trip for 2 to JAMAICA! Plus CASH prizes for 2nd and 3rd place winners.

The Fenwick Inn has a Halloween Costume Contest on October 28th from 5pm-11pm at their roof top restaurant. Vista Rooftop will be offering food and drink specials and is giving out some great prizes including their first place prize which is a 2 night stay at the Fenwick Inn, $250 to Vista Rooftop and $250 cash! 

 

Harpoon Hannas Halloween Party takes place October 28th Fromm 5-8pm, and will benefit Relay for Life.  There will be food and drink specials, raffles, dancing, silent auction and a costume contest! Please bring $10 donation.
 

So you see, there is plenty for everyone during the second half of this beautiful month of October. Not the heat and crowds of summer, nor the cold temperatures of winter, just a perfect complement of good weather and plenty of events to keep everyone entertained. To fond out about all the events during the month of October, go to https://www.oceancity.com/events/

What’s New for Sunfest 2023 Unveiled

Ann
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What’s New for Sunfest 2023 Unveiled

If you loved Sunfest 2022, you will like 2023’s event even better.  Here’s what’s new for Sunfest 2023…

As the summer sun sets on Ocean City, Maryland, there’s no need to bid farewell to the fun and festivities. Sunfest 2023 is on the horizon, promising four days of free music, incredible crafts, diverse food options, local craft beer, and lots of family entertainment. Get ready for a spectacular celebration that spills onto the inlet parking lot with exciting new additions for everyone to enjoy.

Four Days of Free Music

 The sound of music is the heartbeat of Sunfest, and this year, it’s  not only free, but also bigger and better than ever. Two outdoor professional stages will be alive with the sounds of talented musicians, offering a diverse range of genres that will make your heart sing. From rock to pop, country to blues, there’s something for every music lover to groove to.  Get the music line-up here.

Crafts and Culinary Delights

Craft enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise at Sunfest 2023. Explore a treasure trove of fall crafts, from handmade jewelry to unique home decor, and discover the perfect item to take home as a souvenir. And when your stomach starts to growl, indulge in fantastic food.

Local Craft Beer

EVO and Big Truck join Burley Oak to provide local craft beer for the Shore Craft Beer Garden at Sunfest 2023.

The Shore Craft Beer Garden was new last year, but it’s bigger and better for 2023.  EVOlution Craft Brewing (EVO) and Big Truck Farm Brewery have joined Burley Oak to offer a wide variety of sessionable local craft beers.  The location of the beer garden is new too.  Moved between the 2 stages, now you can enjoy your cold craft beer while listening to the live music on either stage.  You’ll feel good about drinking, too, because every beer purchased helps the Ocean City Development Corporation’s work in downtown Ocean City.  You know this group as OCDC and have seen them sponsor the Thursday night concerts in Sunset Park, house members of the beach patrol, help the Town build the beach patrol headquarters, advocate for Boardwalk businesses, get grant money to help homeowners and businesses in downtown Ocean City improve their buildings and more.

Burley Oak Brewing returns to pour their cult-favorite brews during Sunfest at the Shore Craft Beer Garden.

Pet-Friendly Fun

Monica Chase shot this image of her pup and Fisher’s popcorn.

Sunfest now welcomes furry friends with open arms. Bring your pets and watch as Dock Dogs return with a National Point Competition event. Marvel at their incredible skills as they compete, and if your pet has a hidden talent, join in on the casual pet competitions. For those looking for a challenge, try the novice agility and weave pole course right on the sandy shores.

Bicycle Thrills

Bicycle enthusiasts, Saturday is your day to shine! Participate in the Sunray Bicycle Sprint Race and push your limits as you dash 200 meters for a chance to win fantastic prizes. If you’re more into admiring than racing, check out the Show-n-Shine & Swap Meet to see rare bikes and shop for unique items. And don’t forget to catch the BMX Freestyle Exhibition and Workshop where you can watch pros in action and even learn some tricks under their guidance.

Halloween Spirit

Get ready for Halloween with Sunfest’s thrilling Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade, OC Jeep Club Drive in Disguise and Trunk-or-Treat, Beach Halloween Maze, and the Great Pumpkin Race. Watch racers go downhill in heavily-modified and creatively decorated pumpkins – a tradition taken very seriously by our racer families.

Family Fun on the Sand

Photo by Fei Chao on Unsplash

For families, Sunfest offers Saturday evening bonfires, mesmerizing fireworks, hayrides, bounce houses, and a chance to explore the exciting world of Beach Tennis with a “TRY-IT” workshop. This sport, popular on the west coast and around the world, awaits you with all the equipment provided – just bring your enthusiasm.

Sunfest 2023 promises to be an unforgettable event filled with new experiences, making it the perfect way to close out the summer season. So mark your calendar, gather your loved ones (including your furry friends), and get ready for an Ocean City adventure like no other. Sun, fun, and excitement await at Sunfest 2023!

Sunfest 2023 Transportation Schedule

Ann
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Sunfest 2023 Transportation Schedule

The Town of Ocean City frequently adds or amends transportation services during big events and Sunfest 2023 is no different.  

The Ocean City Boardwalk Tram During Sunfest

SUNFEST Oct. 19 – 22, 2023 10am – 10pm – Thursday – Saturday

10am – 7pm – Sunday

The Boardwalk Tram quits running for the season immediately after Sunfest.

The Ocean City Beach Bus

Ocean City Beach Bus
The Ocean City Beach Bus will be shuttling people to the festival area throughout Oceans Calling.

Schedule:  

The Ocean City Beach Bus stays on it’s Fall schedule until October 22, then falls back to it Winter Schedule.  So, during Sunfest, you will see a bus approximately every half hour from 6 am – 2 am.  There is no bus service between 2 am and 6 am.

Fares:

“Standard Fare: $4 (effective May 1) Ride-All-Day. Exact cash fare required, or use of pre-paid photo ID General Bus Pass obtained from City Hall. 

Half Fare ($2.00 Ride-All-Day): Senior Citizens age 65 and over, Disabled Persons, Medicare card holders and Ocean City Non-Resident Senior Bus Pass holders. Proof of eligibility may be required. Exact cash fare required, or use of pre-paid photo ID General Bus Pass obtained from City Hall.

Free: Children 42 inches in height and under, ADA Certified Disabled card holders and Ocean City Resident Senior Bus Pass holders. Proof of eligibility may be required.”

Express Beach Bus Shuttle

For Sunfest, the Town of Ocean City has added a shuttle to take you from the Convention Center Parking Lot on 40th to the the Sunfest entrance.  The bus will run approximately every 20 minutes. Thursday thru Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. & Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

 

 

2023 Oceans Calling: Harmonizing the Highs, the Lows and the Future of Ocean City’s Newest Musical Extravaganza

Glenn Irwin
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2023 Oceans Calling: Harmonizing the Highs, the Lows and the Future of Ocean City’s Newest Musical Extravaganza

Oceans Calling 2023 Overview

Captain Chris Mizeur on the Angler was anchored off the beach.

As most OceanCity.com followers will know, this past weekend’s Oceans Calling three-day (September 29th to October 1st) music festival was a very large event in Ocean City, particularly when one considers that nearly 50,000 people came for the event and were concentrated in the southern end of Ocean City.   The OC Air Show attracts a lot of visitors, but it is spread out and is held in June of each year. Approximately 50,000 tickets were sold for each day of this 3 day event.  

The OceanCity.com Assessment of Oceans Calling 2023

Below are some of our findings based on attending each of the three days, speaking with festival attendees, monitoring Face Book comments, and getting feedback from several business owners inside and outside of the festival footprint.

Who Attended?

This event was a mix of so many things; seasoned festival people, attendees who had never been to a music festival and many who had been to a few festivals. Most people were from out of town, as one would expect. While many attendees were from other parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, there were also many coming from all over the country to attend this first-ever event called Oceans Calling in Ocean City, Maryland. Last year’s event was cancelled due to stormy weather.  There were also many Ocean City area residents attending, too. There were people of all ages. And even kids and infants!!

What Did Attendees Think of the Inaugural Oceans Calling?

Overall, almost all attendees loved this event. Sure, the weather was misting on the first day (Friday) and raining at times on Saturday, but the sun came out on Sunday and made for a grand finale of this three-day event that most will remember for a long time.

 

The Highs

The music!

The music, music, music!! Dozens of bands. It’s why all were attending and the continuous flow of such quality entertainment was impressive. If one did not favor a certain music group, they could walk over to one of the other stages to listen to other performers. National names such as Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Alanis Morisette, The Lumineers, and so many more performed for this sold-out crowd.

The Festival Set-Up

The festival set up – Oceans Calling stated they had substantial experience in running these large music events and they were correct! The three stages were nicely located to allow proper distancing from each other and yet not require a long trek to any of them. The set up with the ocean and inlet backdrops, the wide beach, and nearby Boardwalk, brought together all the best attributes that make Ocean City so special to so many. This layout allowed thousands to flow from event to event.

The Festival Amenities

The event provided hydration stations, ample restroom facilities (with flushing toilets, not just your regular porta potties), charging stations for cell phones, lockers, ADA viewing area, free rides at the Jolly Roger Amusements on the OC Pier, a first aid tent, and more.

Food and drink

There were a wide assortment of both food and drink options at this event. Some of the prices may have appeared high but not so unaffordable when you think of prices at other large events – think NFL football and MLB baseball games. A Kona Big Wave beer was $16 per can, but the can was twenty-five ounces. Some commented there could have been a wider beer selection than was provided.

There was an amazing selection of food choices near the music venues, including tacos and nachos from Taco Girl stand, corndogs and potato wedges from Wookie dogs, and lobster rolls and fried clam strips/rolls. The lines at these food and drink stands were often long, but for the most part moved fairly well.

Participation of Boardwalk businesses

The involvement of the many businesses located south of North Division Street was crucial to the success of this first year event. The original idea of a self-contained festival with a fence running down the boardwalk in front of these boardwalk businesses would have been a tragedy for all. This southern section of the boardwalk contains many of the iconic businesses that Ocean City regular visitors come to expect: Dolle’s Candyland, Fisher’s Popcorn, Dumsers Dairyland ice cream, Dough Roller pizza, Candy Kitchen, and more. In addition, allowing festival goers also visit some of the well know downtown bars on/just off the boardwalk enhanced the festival experience. The Purple Moose Saloon, The Cork Bar and Bearded Clam are only three bars that have a strong following to regular OC visitors. And for those that ventured to the Inlet area, but in the festival footprint, got to visit the new The Wedge Bar with some of the best water views in Ocean City; the ocean, inlet, bay and Assategue State Park.

In fact, if not for these eateries and bar establishments being in the festival footprint, one can only guess how much longer the food and drink lines would have been at this three-day event. Their inclusion into the festival footprint allowed attendees to be able to have the full Ocean City experience. And the lack of a perimeter fence running along the east side of the boardwalk allowed for much improved pedestrian flow throughout the event.

Entrance and re-entrance gates 

At any large event, getting into the venue can be a frustrating and sometimes a frightening experience with large crowds. However, this was not the case at this Oceans Calling event. There were two entrance/exit locations; North Division Street and South Division Street. For the most part, they seemed to work very well as there were numerous gates to enter. Separating the entrance lines for attendees with bags and without any bags sped things up, too. Attendees often arrived around noon to see all of the events, while others arrived throughout the day to see the later music performances. It made for a fairly free flowing entrance for most. The ease of re-entry allowed attendees to also visit the nearby downtown businesses and eateries outside of the event footprint.

Security

The event sponsors and the Town of Ocean City did a great job in making sure the event was a safe venue. Security personnel within and outside of the event footprint were visible and friendly. The OCPD horses were a great sight to view and take pictures for many.
Cleanliness – for the most part, the event was well maintained. Trash bags were regularly changed along the Boardwalk area. Volunteers were often seen picking up the empty aluminum cans for recycling. In the later evening hours, when attendance was peaking, there were some overflowing trash cans by the event venues as well as cans left on the beach area. The public restrooms had few complaints and often favorable comments on their cleanliness.

The Lows

Bus Service

Almost anyone that attended the event either experienced or heard of the challenges with getting to and from the event via its bus service. There were stories of waiting an hour or longer and some attendees just giving up and hiring a ride-share option. In fairness, to the Town of Ocean City and Oceans Calling, they recognized this was going to be a major issue from the beginning and applied as many resources as possible to address. It appeared that most of these bus concerns were heard on the first day, and as is often human nature, people made adjustments. Those that didn’t wish to wait for buses, simply decided to walk the extra distance, bike to the inlet area, use ride share options, or drive to the event and pay for parking. For the most part, festival attendees recognized the best efforts of all was being applied for transporting such a large crowd by bus and many appreciated these efforts, too.

Cell phone reception –

As the event became more crowded there was a noticeable drop off in cell phone reception and transmission at the inlet area. This was true for both Verizon and AT&T customers. Attendees wishing to contact their family and/or friends to meet up or transmit pictures or a video to others not in attendance were left in limbo. One option for those who figured it out, was to walk back to the boardwalk and away from crowd to get reception on their phones. Many just waited until after the event to transmit pictures and videos after leaving the event grounds. Of course, many just scrapped the cell phones and just enjoyed the music.

Mixed Feedback

Bicycle Parking –

It was great to have accommodations close to the event (at 1st Street on the beach area) to park and lock one’s bikes. Solid platforms on the beach were provided to place this fencing upon. These were actually not bike racks, but metal fencing. Many bikers simply locked their bikes against this fencing rather than just placing their front wheels between the fence bars. So, it was not as efficient as first envisioned and reduced space for others. Once this bike fencing was full, others just locked their bikes to the nearby boardwalk benches. This being said, it was great to see so many bikers. Biking seemed like the best transportation method to getting to the event, especially if one was several miles away. However, it would have been better for all if such bikers, who were often heading back to their residences after the event in the dark, to use bike lights for improved visibility. Many did bike home along the Boardwalk, that did have lighting.

Conclusion

The above comments and findings do not cover the spectrum of items that will be discussed for next year’s Oceans Calling event by the event sponsors and Town of Ocean City. But as seen at the event, both Oceans Calling and the Town of Ocean City made some adjustments to improve the event.

Overall, from an attendee perspective and also from an economic perspective, the event was very successful. It was evident that the eateries, bars, and nearby hotels did well. Were there some businesses that did not benefit? Possibly so. But generally, for this time of year, many businesses are going to limited off-season hours, while some are preparing to close until next spring. The Oceans Calling event provided a major financial benefit to many – both for employees and employees, and particularly in the downtown area. This year’s Ocean City music festival will be unforgettable to many attendees.

Here are some select comments from downtown businesses and attendees:

Wendy Dibuo of The Cork Bar (in festival footprint) and Crawl Street Saloon (outside of footprint): “After much preparation by the promoters, the Town of Ocean City and the merchants, I would give the Oceans Calling event an A rating. … I feel it was a Win! Win!”

Nick Tekmen, owner of Gateway Hotel – “Great event, just like to thank the Town of Ocean City for their hard work. Also we had the nicest clients for this event.”

David Rossbach – from FB – It was outstanding! Ran extremely well. Rode the bike down all 3 days. Lines moved, bathrooms were clean. Bands were on/off at exact times listed. Definitely can’t wait for next year! Weezer and Dirty Heads were the highlight for me!”

Kristen Krause – from FB – “Amazing experience! We drove down from Vermont. Took the boat ferry and back. Had the best time on the boardwalk. Food was great, bathrooms were clean, the free water stations … AMAZING!”

Dana Paterra – from FB – “Well done OC! We parked in west OC park and ride and walked so no issues with transportation. We felt safe, enjoyed the boardwalk and additional food and drink options loved beach, the crowd although huge was civil, and the lineup was incredible. Looking forward to next year.”

Dave Grove – from FB – Unbelievable experience, clean and everyone was pleasant. Our whole crew had a blast and looking forward to the 2024 festival.”

Patty Gross Dundore- from FB – “LOVED it! I have never been so proud of our town! It was just amazing.”

Oceans Calling 2024

Stay tuned for details on Oceans Calling 2024.  The Town of Ocean City is about to sign a multi-year contract so you will see this music festival coming back again.  Rumors are they are considering a two-weekend, back to back event with a different music genre on each weekend.

Too doggone cute: 15 photos from the Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade

Kristin
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Too doggone cute: 15 photos from the Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade

There’s a ton of fun events lined up each year for October and the new Sunfest weekend, 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.

These pictures are from the parade in 2017 and were, unsurprisingly, almost completely made up of dogs. Some showed their Ocean City spirit by dressing up as boxes of Thrasher’s fries or Dolle’s saltwater taffy while others opted for simple tutus or lions manes. The dogs and their owners first convened at North Division Street, where donations were collected for the Worcester County Humane Society, before parading down the boardwalk past the Halloween beach maze and back. Some pups were carried by their owners, others rode down the boards in floats and a few even stopped en route to relieve themselves on the beach–but still, a good time was had by those of every species. 

Dog in a dress
A tutu’d pup parades down the boardwalk with the new Thrasher’s mascot behind her.
Harper
Harper, dressed up as a bug.

OCtoberfest

Sunset Park overlooking Assawoman Bay will once again be the setting for a fabulous Shore Craft Beer celebration of the local breweries who are producing world class beer.

Furocious
Two out of three very ferocious (fur-ocious?) lions.

Pups
The parade isn’t just for pets, of course–many of the humans dress up, too.
Popeye
Popeye the sailor dog.
Leaf pile pup
This is one leaf pile you don’t want to jump into! Somehow, there’s a dog under there.

Pets- Ocean City, MD

Traveling with Pets Navigation Dog friendly hotels in Ocean City When you are trying to decide whether to take your dog with you on your Ocean City family vacation, weighing the costs of boarding with the convenience of having your pet along isn’t too difficult a choice.

Dressed up doggy
Chicken cord on Blue.
Bear
Is it a dog or a bear? It’s a dog named Bear, so both.
Witchy pup
She tried so hard to look spooky, but her face says “good witch.”
Pumpkin pups
The hotdog costume was getting old, anyway.
Oh no
Who let the dogs out?
Beauty and the Beast
Tail as old as time, Beauty and the Beast.
Dog in a bonnet
Little Bo Peep.
Dogs in a wagon
Some pups were lucky enough to ride on parade floats. (Or in this case, a puppy-sized ship.)
Santa and a husky
Because after Halloween, it’s basically Christmas.

10 Ocean City-Inspired Halloween Costumes

Kristin
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10 Ocean City-Inspired Halloween Costumes

If you’re attending a Halloween party this month and are in need of a last minute costume, look no further. At least one of these will be sure to win you some big $$$ and drink vouchers at whatever celebration you’re attending. And if it doesn’t… There’s always next year! 

A hungry seagull

If you’ve got a pair of tiny children, this makes for a really cute costume. If you’re an adult and you’re going to a party on Halloween, you can simply dawn white feathers and a yellow beak and pick food off of other peoples’ plates all night (you have to remain in character, so if they say anything, just squawk and run away). 

A hungry seagull and Thrasher’s fries via Pinterest

An old time-y beachgoer

Look super cute in a vintage bathing suit and swim cap, or be the guy that walks around with measuring tape and totally kills the mood.

Photo from the Library of Congress

Count Wolf Von Vinderstein

(He’s the animatronic barker who stands in the lobby of the Haunted House and tells you, “your coffin awaits!”)

Here’s how you can be headless on Halloween.

He’s one of the most recognizable characters in Ocean City.

A damsel in distress (or a Knit Wit)

Choose which damsel from the Haunted House you’d like to be depending on the amount of skin you’re comfortable showing (though I’m sorry to say the topless mermaid has been retired). Honestly, the Knit Wit is one of the coolest and most classic stunts in the Haunted House and would make for a great costume — she’s just a kindly old skeleton of a grandmother who knits a giant spiderweb!

The Knit Wit!

Laffing Sal

This, like the seagull, is a great costume for the more socially awkward folk who have to make an appearance at a Halloween party. When someone tries to talk to you, you can just laugh in their face. All you need is a green dress, a floppy hat, red nail polish and a giant pair of shoes.

Laffing Sal in her exhibit – 2000s.

A boardwalk busker

Why dress as Elvis for Halloween when you can dress as someone dressing as Elvis? You could also paint your entire body and clothes gold, or wear a respirator and carry around a few bottles of spray paint, or wear a big hat and give out balloon animals all night long (this will be a hit if you’re attending a child’s party).

One of the Boardwalk’s most recognizable street performers.

A Planet Maze alien (R.I.P.)

Sadly Planet Maze is no more, but if you’d like to be topical and were already planning on dressing up as an alien, just add a golf club to your costume.

UFO optional.

A Local and a Pennsylvanian

Couples costume alert! (Can you tell I was running out of ideas at this point? Because I totally wasn’t.) Fasten a Pennsylvania license plate to your shirt and have your partner dawn one of those OC Local tags. “Tailgate” each other all day, and cut your partner off every time they try to walk into a room. Every few minutes the OC Local should tell the Pennsylvanian to go home, or just casually berate them, at which point the Pennsylvanian should remind the Local with hostility that they’re supporting the town’s economy and without them Ocean City wouldn’t exist and what gives you the right??

Keep the offensiveness minimal and limit the costume to a license plate.

An H2oi driver!

(Okay, I can hear your stifled “booo”s and I promise this list is almost over.) Similar to the Local/Pennsylvanian costume, tailgate your friends and cut them off constantly — while walking, and in conversation. Everyone will love you! Bonus points if your Halloween is really crazy and ends in a trip to the police station. 

This could be you.

Joe Kro-art

The Ocean Gallery guy! If you own a snazzy tuxedo, just add a red bowtie, throw your arms up and yell, “It’s astounding!!!”

It’s almost the same costume as Wolf Von Vinderstein, so you can double up!

Farewell Oceans Calling

Anne
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Farewell Oceans Calling

It’s the morning after the weekend of Oceans Calling.

The Oceans Calling Music Festival finished Sunday, and so now the big dismantling and clean up begins. The weather was wet and windy when the put the festival up, but this week the weather looks sunny and bright, so the packing up shouldn’t be as bad as the putting up! Time will tell if the festival was a success to all concerned, and if it ran smoothly. Were you at the festival? Did you have any issues, or was a great weekend had by all? Let us know what you think!

Here’s some photos from the aftermath of the festival taken on the Boardwalk this morning.

 

The best fall weekend to visit Ocean City (and how to save a little money, too)

Kristin
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1
The best fall weekend to visit Ocean City (and how to save a little money, too)

(Every weekend in the fall is a good one to visit Ocean City, but one of the best this year is Halloween weekend, Oct. 28-29.) 

Shore Craft Beer’s OCtoberfest

Friends and family enjoy a beautiful fall day with beer in Sunset Park.

Ocean City’s biggest craft beer festival will be back at the scenic Sunset Park in downtown Ocean City on Saturday, Oct. 28, rain or shine. Set upon the beautiful Assawoman Bay and co-sponsored by the Ocean City Development Corporation and the Town of Ocean City, OCtoberfest is the celebration of local, delicious and seasonal craft beer.

Live music will be provided by the Ocean City, Md. band the Dunehounds, a blues and funk band brewed on Delmarva.  More vendors than ever will sell crafts, cookies and other creations, and food trucks including That Kitchen, Malibu Beach Eats, and Anthony’s Sessa Hotdogs and Get Baked Food Trolley will be on site. The event is child-friendly and pet-friendly, and there’s always a handful of dogs in the cutest Halloween costumes imaginable.

Save money (exclusive to this festival): Hotel packages are available from the Gateway Hotel, the Residence Inn by Marriott, the Howard Johnson and Home2 Suites specifically for this event. More may be added.  Most of them include one- or two-night stays at a discounted rate, plus tickets to the festival, meal credits, pint glasses and/or gift certificates to local restaurants.

Dog in a dress
Also, if you’re in town the weekend prior, the Howl-o-Ween pet parade is just about the cutest event there is.

Seacrets Halloween Party and Costume Contest

The flyer says it all.  Start out with brunch and then join us at the Octoberfest Shore Craft Beer Fest.  Then, head back to your hotel and take a nap, followed by a costume contest and Halloween party at Seacrets.

 

The Ocean City Running Festival – Costume Contest & Discount for Runners to Octoberfest

IF you are headed to Ocean City for the Ocean City Running Festival, there will be a costume contest for contestants.  In addition, everybody with race credentials will get $5 off their Octoberfest Shore Craft Beer Fest tickets with the code:  RunOC  Just go to https://www.shorecraftbeerfest.com/octoberfest.html to get more information.  To buy your tickets using your discount code – which gets you 4 hours of fun starting at 1 pm, a commemorative t-shirt, a commemorative stainless steel pint, and unlimited samples of local craft beer, mead and hard seltzer from local breweries, go to the ticketing site.

 

Introducing the NEW OceanCity.com App with Interactive Map of Oceans Calling Music Performances & Vendors

Ann
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Introducing the NEW OceanCity.com App with Interactive Map of Oceans Calling Music Performances & Vendors

Includes Real-Time Guide to Oceans Calling Music Festival

Today, we are excited to announce a groundbreaking development that will make accessing OceanCity.com easier and more convenient than ever before: the OceanCity.com App for iPhone and Android devices.

OceanCity.com has been a trusted source for the latest and most relevant information on Ocean City, Maryland, serving as the go-to destination for visitors and residents seeking the best places to stay, dine, and play. Their OCfun page on Facebook offers the most engaging content, reaching over 13 million people in the last month. 

App Store icon for the OceanCity.com app
Look for this icon in your Apple App Store or in Google Play.

Now, the OceanCity.com App is set to revolutionize the way you experience Ocean City when you get to town. It will offer all the news stories and fresh content you’ve come to expect from OceanCity.com, coupled with an extensive directory of businesses in the Ocean City area. With newly refined search features, users can quickly pinpoint their ideal dining spots (think seafood places on the water), discover exciting activities (like boat tours of Assateague), or locate essential services (such as nearby grocery stores).

Find yourself on the map and find the performances, bars & restaurants, and get updates. You can also win an Ocean City getaway.

Guide to Oceans Calling Festival with Interactive Map

Launching just in time for the highly anticipated Oceans Calling Music Festival, the OceanCity.com App will provide festival-goers with an array of features designed to enhance their experience. The App has added an interactive map, helping app users easily navigate the festival grounds and locate all festival amenities. With the App, Oceans Calling concert-goers will have a searchable music lineup at their fingertips during the day’s events. 

music line up for the oceans calling music festival in ocean city md
Download the OceanCity.com App and track all the concerts at the Oceans Calling Music Festival 2023.

Download the App and win a 2 night stay and 2 VIP tickets to the Shore Craft Beer Fest on 10/28 in Ocean City.

The OceanCity.com App is not just an information hub; it’s also a platform for engagement and fun. App users can show their love for the area by participating in interactive contests and challenges that will be periodically released within the app. 

For the App Launch during the Oceans Calling Festival, OceanCity.com is offering a 2 night beercation on the October 28th weekend to one lucky winner.  Just download the OceanCity.com App by midnight on October 1 and you will be entered to win the 2-night stay in Ocean City and 2 VIP tickets to the Shore Craft Beer Fest at Sunset Park.  We will notify the winner through the App on October 2, 2023.

“We’re thrilled to bring the OceanCity.com experience to the palm of your hand,” said Adam Douglass at 5th Floor, the App developer. “Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time resident, the OceanCity.com App will be your ultimate guide to making the most of Ocean City, Maryland.  You can even win prizes, including an Ocean City getaway, just by using the App.”

2023 winner sticker The BEST of OCEAN CITY®
Look for these stickers throughout Ocean City to find the best businesses in Ocean City based on your votes.

Best of Ocean City Winners & Voting

One of the highlights of the OceanCity.com App is the spotlight it shines on Ocean City’s iconic “Best of Ocean City®” award winners. Users can find the very best businesses in Ocean City and cast their votes for their favorite Ocean City businesses, contributing to the vibrant local community.

scan code for the OceanCitydotcom app
Scan the code to download the OceanCity.com App. If you download the App by October 1, 2023 at midnight, you will be automatically entered to win a 2 night stay in Ocean City AND 2 VIP tickets to the Octoberfest Shore Craft Beer Fest on October 28th.

Available for Download

The OceanCity.com App will be available for download on both iPhone and Android devices starting on Tuesday, September 26th.  Stay tuned for more updates and exciting features as we continue to enhance your Ocean City experience through this innovative app.

For more information, please visit https://www.oceancity.com/

To download the App, go to https://oceancitydotcom.ourloyaltyapp.com/

For more information on the Shore Craft Beer Fest, go to: https://www.shorecraftbeerfest.com/octoberfest.html

OceanCity.com Interviews Jared “Dirty J” Watson, co-founder of Dirty Heads

Ann
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OceanCity.com Interviews Jared “Dirty J” Watson, co-founder of Dirty Heads

OceanCity.com was lucky enough to be able to interview Jared “Dirty J” Watson, the co-founder of the popular band, Dirty Heads.  He describes his music, how he got started in the industry, his philosophies and more.  We have broken the interview into sections in the transcript so it’s easier to follow.  Or, you can just watch the interview in full.

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Background on Jared Watson & Dirty Heads:

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

I am filling in for Katie.  She couldn’t do this one. So I’m  thrilled to do it.  My name is Ann Hillyer and I am the CEO of Shore Craft Beer and OceanCity.com. We’re thrilled to be having you come to Oceans Calling in Ocean City.

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads

Oh, yeah. Yeah, we’re stoked to be there. I think we missed it the first time, right? And then this will be the second time we’re trying. 

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

Yeah, exactly. So last week another storm came through and that postponed the setup a bit. So they’re a little under the gun on the setup. But it looks like it’s coming along quickly. The big stage is up. So your stage is already in place for your performance.

Perfect. So I sent you some questions. The first section is really background, we’re going to try to go through this rather quickly. We’re really excited to have you and we want you to tell us who you are and where you’re from and a little background on you and the band.

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads

My name is Jared Watson, I am one of the singers and songwriters from a band called Dirty heads originated in Huntington Beach, California. We met in high school, started playing in Dustin’s garage, and realized that we had a lot in common, musically, then personality wise, you know, we became best friends. And then he was already in a band. And I had no musical background. So I just kind of figured this is something fun to do. I really liked the guy keep hanging out. This is super fun. And then it just kind of snowballed. And like, you know, we kept writing songs and having fun. And then that made me realize that I really liked doing it. And then we started playing shows and started getting a following. And next thing you know, like, a couple years later, we’re signed to Warner Brothers. So it’s called I’ll really, really quick and not something that I saw in my future when I was growing up, and now I’m very grateful. And I’m just, I’m very, very happy that I feel like I found my purpose. 

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

Well, that’s really exciting. I see that in some of your music. And I was listening to some of your songs today. So we’ll get to thos a little later. . You’re performing this Sunday. Right? From 5:1 PM. To 6:15 PM. On the Seabright stage which is the big one at the Oceans Calling festival. Did you know that the concert is almost totally sold out?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads

I did not. But I’m not surprised.

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

So you didn’t anticipate that necessarily? Have you been to Ocean City, Maryland before?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads

Yeah, yeah, we’ve played there numerous times before. 

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

And where did you play in Ocean City?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads

 I could have no idea. No idea. 

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

Probably Seacrets!

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads 

Oh, definitely. We’ve definitely played Seacrets a bunch, Oh cool. Yeah.

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

What did you like most about Ocean City?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads

I’ve never seen outside of the parking lot of Seacrets. So

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

There’s a lot to see that you might enjoy. There’s some really good food, too. It looks a lot more like California than it did.. 

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads

Yeah, we’re you know, we’re on tour. So it’s like, you gotta you gotta get in, get out. 

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

Where are you right now?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads  3:17  

I’m at home in Costa Mesa, California. 

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

Okay, cool. And when do you head east?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads  3:23  

We’re gonna go out on Saturday, the day before.

OCEANS CALLING CONCERT IN OCEAN CITY

  • You are performing this Sunday from 5:15-6:15 at the Sea Bright Stage at the Oceans Calling Festival in Ocean City, Maryland.
    • Did you know this concert is almost totally sold out?
      • Did you anticipate this level of response from Oceans Calling 2023 in Ocean City?
    • Have you ever been to Ocean City, Maryland before?
      • If so, what do you like most about Ocean City?
      • If you haven’t, what are you looking forward to seeing in Ocean City?

YOUR FANS WANT TO KNOW…

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

So Katie posted to the Oceans Calling Facebook page to ask what fans wanted to know about you? And the the answers that came back, the questions they want answered are 

  • Who and what influenced your music?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads

So the first one right off the bat. I think the two the two main ones would be Sublime and Beastie Boys.

There was a ton, a ton, a ton of really kind of old school reggae from the 60s and 70s and 80s that we were into. And that definitely, definitely you can hear that in our in our music. But I think at the time, sublime, and the dirty and dirty heads and the Beastie Boys were the only two acts that we knew of that we were listening to that were kind of mashing up all these genres, and taking all this different type of music and blending together but making it sound good making it sound like one original band, you know. And we knew then that if we liked reggae, and we liked hip hop, and we liked folk and we liked jazz, and we liked classic rock we could take we could take it from anywhere, and we could put it in our music.

I think those two bands really opened our eyes to the fact that you don’t just have to play one style of music but it’s tricky to do because it can be very confusing.

And I really like the fact that there’s so original, that when you hear a Beastie Boys song, you know, it’s a Beastie Boys song, whether it’s like one of their punk songs, or when it’s their funk songs or instrumental or it’s their regular Hip Hop stuff, you know, it’s them, when you hear sublime song, whether it’s more of a reggae song, or a grimy punk song, or he’s putting a lot more hip hop into the production back then, you knew it was simple as volume song, and I’m really proud that we’re able to do that, that I don’t think there’s anybody playing music right now that sounds like the dirty heads. I don’t think there ever will be and I’m really proud of that, you know, and we can take a lot of different style of music and make it our own and, and still be original in 2023. You know, it’s it’s kind of hard to be original at this point.

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

Thank you.  The next question that they wanted to know is:

  •  What is the best advice somebody ever gave you? And who was that person to you?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads  5:54  

The best advice?  Well, I think this is in no way conceited at all. But I think after a really long time, I don’t want to just do a cliche one and like, go off, like some quote, there’s one. There’s one that my manager told me a long time ago, that really, really works, but it’s still not my favorite one. And it’s get all the information first. And when you do get all the information first, it makes things a lot easier. Don’t assume anything until you have all the information. Don’t worry about it. Just don’t even think about it until you have every single piece of information about whatever it is. And then you can decide on whether you should freak out which not that was great.

 But it dawned on me one day, because I was you know, an 18 year old kid, I was a 25 year old kid, I you know, I’m 30 Whatever, I’m in the industry, there’s all these, you know, could be mentors around me, there’s all these other really successful musicians. And when I was younger, I found myself like most people, I feel like well, they when they look back that I thought I knew everything. And there was a lot of advice given to me that I probably didn’t take. 

And then a little bit later on, I remember giving myself advice going man, the best probably advice is to actually take advice. I feel like 90% of the time somebody gives you advice. It goes in one ear and right out the other and you don’t even you don’t even think about it. This is unsolicited. I don’t want to hear what you have to say you’re old, you don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re in a band, you don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re not even you know, there’s always an excuse to not listen to the advice or the advice is such a solution to your problem. But it’s not the easy way out might be the hard way out that you don’t want to listen to it. So I honestly if there’s any what I think the best advice is for other people is that when somebody is in a position that might need be more successful than you doesn’t matter that’s up to you what success is, or just in a position to give you advice. actually listen to what they have to say, actually just don’t just lie. Oh, they’re just an old guy telling me a story. I’m being nice about it, whatever, just like actually listen and try and soak it in, write it down and try and implement it. And like, when you do you’ll see that, you know, the advice is usually pretty good. I never used to take advice. So I wish I could go back and tell myself when I was younger, like hey, actually take advice. That’s the best advice. actually use this. These people that’s very useful. I think it’s excellent. That’s a really good answer.

YOUR CAREER, YOUR MUSIC & THE SET FOR SUNDAY

The Dirty Heads debut album was, Any Port in a Storm, and was released on September 23, 2008.  They just released Midnight Control, on August 26, 2023, by Better Noise Music.  That’s over 15 years of music.  Let’s see what Jared has to say.

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

So music for Sunday:  your debut album was Any Port in the Storm and it was released on September 23 of 2008. And you just released it  a month ago, Midnight Control by Better Noise Music. That’s 15 years of music. 

What are you thinking that you are going to bring  to the Ocean City concert? Are you mixing it up? Are you playing your new music? What are you playing at the concert on Sunday? 

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads

Yeah, I mean, we have an hour set, which is so rad. Like we usually, we don’t usually play an hour .  We usually play, you know, an hour and a half, two hours, we have a longer set. So the hour set for us, we call it the power hour because we’re literally just playing the favorites. And that’s fun. That’s really fun for us. 

You know, we don’t have to.  it’s not that there is filler but there’s like we need to please a lot of different fans, There’s new fans out and say we play a show and it wasn’t Oceans Calling., We had two hours where there’s new fans that we want to make happy. There’s old fans that we want to make happy. We want to make it exciting. We want to build a show we want to be entertaining, we want to bring you up.  We want to bring you down, but when you have a power hour, it’s like you know we’ve like said we are on our eighth album. We’re on our eighth album.  We’ve had  a lot of success, a lot of popular songs, and so it was very easy to make this set, you know, so it’s just like literally all of our top all the fan favorites all the most, you know, just kind of popular songs that we could throw out there and that’s really fun. And I like I said there’s no other bands on the bill like Dirty Heads.

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads 10:00  

As you know, we’re gonna be giving you really exciting hip hop songs really mellow, kind of reggae acoustic songs, you know, it’s, we’re able to put on a show that’s really dynamic, rather than just one note. So I think that’s what sets us apart. 

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

Very exciting.We will put this up on the OceanCity.com calendar. People will will be very interested, 

“Island Glow”

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

I think in your performance in their thing, they’re expecting something close to 50,000 people. So I’m just saying, and you’re on the big stage. So let’s move to your songs. What is your most requested song?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads  10:37  

I don’t know. I couldn’t answer that. I mean, yeah, we’ve been a band for almost 20 years now. You know. And, like, if I’m, if I’m going off of social media, it’s, you know, there’s, it’s different from every person. You know, we don’t sometimes we don’t play the old stuff enough. Sometimes you don’t play the new stuff.

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads  10:56  

Actually, I think at this point in time, there’s a song called Island Glow  off of our new album, and I think that’s probably the most requested, and we’re playing it. And it’s, it’s like the band’s favorite, too. So that’s really fun. 

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

So is that the song that is the most fun to perform for you?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads  11:11  

It is. It is yeah, it’s a pirate story. It’s the song is a story. And we based all of our production around that on the summer tour that we just did, we kind of did like a broken down, like deconstructed pirate ship. And it’s just a song about some pirates. So how do you not like that, but it’s really cool. 

“Vacation”

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

And your song vacation suggests that you love what you do? Do you ever get tired of touring and making music?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads  11:39  

Yeah, yeah, like, there. I mean, we like I said, I don’t want to sound repetitive. But we’ve been doing it for 20 years, there was a point where I was really, really tired. There was a point where I didn’t want to go on tour anymore. You know, there’s a point where, you know, it was it was there was I’ve had a lot of highs and a lot of lows.

11:59  

That wasn’t necessarily the band or the music or the touring, it was how I was treating my body and my mind. So it was really my fault for doing that. You know, there’s things you can do on the road. And you can get into partying and you can you know, not be nice to your body or your brain or you know, just have a little bit too much fun.

12:19  

So I don’t necessarily think it was the music or the like too much touring it was just that I wasn’t honoring myself and honoring my body and taking care of myself and now that I’ve gotten through that, and then we had COVID

12:33  

I can tell you right now that taking touring away from me, making me sit at home for two years and not being able to tour was a crazy perspective check and I can tell you that I have

12:46  

there’s never been a time in my career where I’ve enjoyed it more than right now. 

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

Wow, that’s fabulous. Ocean City is lucky. What would you take vacations? And if you do where do you go?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads  12:57  

Yeah, I just got back from Kauai for a couple of months. My family stayed out there.

13:03  

I really like Thailand, we’ve been there and we feel really safe and at home there. Japan is probably my favorite place I’ve ever been and I’m excited to go back there. I could we could we could definitely live in Japan for a couple years. It’s that cool! 

“Standing Tall”

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

That’s really cool. Your song Stand Tall is an important message in today’s world. What do you want your fans to take from that song? And what advice would you give someone who needs to stand a little taller

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads

Um, I don’t like telling people what my songs are about. I like them, you know, taking whatever message they can from it. But the to stand a little taller or to get through something.

I really love this one and I think this one is people have probably heard it and it could be a little cliche, but the main message is everything will be okay in the end. And if everything’s not okay, then it’s not the end. That one’s my favorite because I you know personally I’ve had a lot of ups and downs and a lot of good times a lot of everything does always get better and it will get better you just got to see it through.  You know, you just gotta keep getting up and going.   But when you are in  the lows, it really feels like it’s never gonna get better, like nothing’s ever going to change and it’s going to be like this forever. It’s not.  It will not.   it will get better.  Iit will 100% get better.

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

I love it. It’s a great message. My mother always used to say.” this too shall pass.” It’s a really important  message.

Ocean City Rescue Me?

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com 

Your song California Rescue Me resonates with anybody who loves the ocean and has a favorite beach. And Ocean City is a beloved beach to millions of people. 

Would you consider replacing California with Ocean City for one refrain at Sunday’s concert?

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads  14:57  

It works. The syllable I’ll do the whole thing.

 15:00  

wanna celebrate the syllables? Totally works.

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

That’s really cool!

Jared Watson, Dirty Heads 15:08  

California Ocean City, I could totally do it. 

Ann Hillyer, OceanCity.com

Okay, cool.

Well, I’ll have somebody there videoing you!

FINAL QUESTION:

Is there anything you want the 50,000 music lovers coming to Ocean City for the Oceans Calling 2023 Music Festival to know?
Jared is performing with his band, Dirty Heads, at the 2023 Oceans Calling Festival in Ocean City, MD.  Download the OceanCity.com App to get interactive maps and the full music schedule on all three stages located in the festival footprint at the inlet beach.

Restaurant Specials during Oceans Calling

Anne
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Restaurant Specials during Oceans Calling
Whether you are attending Oceans Calling this weekend, or just happen to be in town, there are restaurant specials around the town to look out for.  Here are a few to get you started.
 

28th Street Pit n Pub during Oceans Calling

28th Street Pit n Pub are offering 10% off entire check to anyone with the ocean’s calling wrist band all weekend. This OCEANS CALLING SPECIAL runs from Friday through Sunday… NOTHING beats BBQ after a day of musical flows & sandy toes!

Show your wrist band at Pit n Pub and save money!
 
Spain Wine Bar on the top floor of the Cambria Hotel has a Happy Hour special this week,  Chef Selection for 2, which is several surprise tapas that can be shared for only $35 only at happy hour (Tue-Fri) from 2pm to 5pm. 
 
Happy Hour at Spain

Shenanigan’s during Oceans Calling

Shenanigan’s on the Boardwalk on 3rd Street will have a special O’Shens Calling Late Night Menu (Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 9:00pm) which will include some of their full menu favorites as well as an Oceans Calling-specific menu item… the Irish Spice Bag.  The Spice Bag is the hottest Dublin take-away snack… 
 

Irish Spice Bag Battered Chicken or Shrimp, seasoned waffle fries, grilled peppers, onions, and jalapeños tossed with Chinese secret spices and served with your choice of Korma Curry or Sweet Tai Chili sauces. $17.25. Available for everyone, no wristband needed!

No cover for Mike Brill playing at Shenanigan on Friday and Saturday, starting at 8:00pm.

Shenanigans, just a short walk from the festival

 

Angler Restaurant and Bar during Oceans Calling

At the Angler this weekend, you’ll find $2 Natural lights all-day during the Oceans Calling Festival. There’s High Tide Time from 3:00 to 6:00 with 2 for 1 drinks and food specials – $5.99 1/2lb shrimp, $7 grouper fingers, $.75 clams, $1.25 oysters, $1.25 wings
Entertainment includes Chris English 5-8 Thursday, Zion Reggae Band 5-9 Friday, Lennon la Ricci and the Leftovers 6-9 Saturday, Time Police Band 4-8 Sunday.
 
Angler Restaurant and Bar , just a couple of blocks from Oceans Calling on Talbot St.

Blu Crabhouse and Raw Bar during Oceans Calling

Get a 15% discount and $15 priced BLU Crab Dip at Blu on 23rd Street and the bay this weekend when you show your Oceans Calling wrist bands or show tickets.
 
 
Embers on 23rd Street will have $12 priced Fire Roasted Wings all weekend for those with Oceans Calling wrist bands or show tickets.
 
Sunset from Embers
Jay’s Cafe on 23rd Street has a great breakfast menu, plus sandwiches, pastries, ice cream and coffee! Get a 15% Discount on everything you buy when you show up with your Oceans Calling wrist bands or show tickets. 
 

 

Crawl Street Tavern

Crawl Street Tavern on Wicomico Street is open for breakfast all weekend from 8am, and their full bar is open from 9am-2am.

Football specials for Sunday Football at Crawl Street Tavern:
A Pound and a Pitcher – One pound of Steamed shrimp with a 62 ounce pitcher of domestic draft beer $24.99 or import Beer $29.99
One pound and a bucket (4) domestic bottles $24.99 or import $29.99
$3 dogs – add cheese $1, add chili $1
Chili Day bowl $4.99
Nachos with cheese $5,  add chili $2, add ground beef $2
Tots $5
Philly Cheese Steak $9.99 made with Cheese Whiz fried onions and peppers. Add fries $2.00

Live entertainment at Crawl Street Tavern:
Thursday pre-Oceans Calling Kickoff with live performance by Steven Kellogg. Buy tickets here.  Friday NO COVER CHARGE The Harbor Boys 10-2 , and Saturday night DJ Magellan 10pm-2am (no cover charge).

Breakfast at Crawl Street Tavern starts at 8am

More to come…..

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