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 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!
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.
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 Chickenor 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.
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.
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.
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 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).
White Reaper will be performing at Oceans Calling Festival on Saturday September 30th at 3.30pm, at the Carousel Stage.
White Reaper is made up of Tony Esposito [guitar, vocals], Ryan Hater [keys], Hunter Thompson [guitar], Nick Wilkerson [drums, percussion], and Sam Wilkerson [bass] . They have arrived as one of the 21st century’s preeminent rock bands. Ushering in a new era, White Reaper are unapologetically embracing their collective essence – musically sincere and uncontainable on stage. Grinding it out behind independent LPs White Reaper Does It Again [2015] and The World’s Best American Band [2017], they leveled up on their Elektra Records debut, You Deserve Love, in 2019. A flurry of critical acclaim followed, while the album’s lead single “Might Be Right” vaulted to #1 at Alternative Radio and tallied tens of millions of streams. The band lit up ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! for their late-night TV debut and Pearl Jam brought them in tow as special guests on their most recent arena tour. Guided by the ethos that their songs are meant to be immediate and timeless, the band went to Nashville where they wrote and largely self-produced their fourth full-length LP, Asking for a Ride, with the help of friend and engineer Jeremy Ferguson. This time around, they directly channeled the energy of their live show in order to replicate that connection in the songs. On Asking for a Ride, you’ll get the band’s signature chrome-plated riffs, mixed with thrash, stadium-made choruses, and blissful acoustic comedowns. This is five dudes churning out bangers like their lives depend on it.
Oceans Calling 2023 dodged Ophelia and is now in full swing setting up for the 4 day music festival starting this Thursday. If you want to take a look at the set-up, you can go to our webcams page. The Trimper Cam looks at the inlet parking lot and will give you a good idea of what is going on.
You can check out the set up for the Trimper Rides webcam.
Here are several shots of the set-up as of Tuesday, September 26. More to come!
Setting up for Oceans Calling 2023 in Ocean City, MDSomething big is coming – setting up for Oceans Calling 2023!The stage goes up for Oceans Calling 2023.The decking is piled up to be ready to go into place for Oceans Calling 2023.The Ocean City inlet parking lot filled with tents for Oceans Calling 2023.Jolly Roger at the Pier is inside the footprint of Oceans Calling 2023.Lots of containers are needed to set up Oceans Calling 2023.The beach is filled with tire tracks as they set up for Oceans Calling 2023.Oceans Calling 2023 set up from afar before Ophelia rolled through Ocean City
Click here to see the Oceans Calling festival 2023 guide page.
A huge music festival on the beach, walks along the Ocean City boardwalk, waves crashing on the sand, local cuisine being celebrated by celebrity chefs – this is what the Oceans Calling 2023 will bring to Ocean City September 29th – October 1st. Keep reading to see:
Set up pictures with a link to a webcam where you can watch the Oceans Calling set-up live
Last minute ticket information and a link.
Last minute hotel information.
Parking information and suggestions.
The new OceanCity.com App details – navigate the festival, find the performances, AND download by midnight on October 1 to be entered to win an Ocean City beercation.
Setting up for Oceans Calling 2023 in Ocean City, MD
This 3 day festival is already setting up to be ready when tens of thousands of people descend on Ocean City with visions of music on the beach. The set up began early this week, but they weren’t able to do too much because Tropical Storm Ophelia’s effects were influencing the wind and rain in Ocean City. Ophelia didn’t deter the set-up for long, however. They are in overdrive mode setting up. The stage is already up, decking down, tents erected and the work continues. To see the set up this morning, click to see the article we just published.
With big-name artists each day, you can buy a ticket for one day or all three. Many of the tickets are sold out, so if you want to join the festivities, you can still find an available ticket on the Oceans Calling website. There are also verified resale tickets on the Oceans Calling website.
OC Bay Hopper, Ocean City’s water-based transportation alternative, has just announced additional availability getting to and from the Oceans Calling music festival this weekend.
The OC Bay Hopper shuttle will depart the Roland E. Powell Convention Center every hour with two boats starting at 12pm/noon with a final return from the festival at 10:30pm.
A new park-and-ride option is now available that includes round-trip transportation and a parking pass for $100 for a group of 4 passengers. Three return times are offered each night with the final return from the festival at 12:10am. Parking is at Pier 23 in West Ocean City.
For up-to-date availability and how to reserve a spot for one of these options, please visit
If you are staying in Ocean City, leave your car at the hotel and take a bus downtown. You can try parking in the West Ocean City Park & Ride and take the shuttle into Ocean City. There are also several other public lots and there is street parking, but with the inlet lot closed for the event, there will be an enormous amount of pressure on these spots. Here is the link to the general parking information.
Navigating the Festival
Find yourself on the map and find the performances, bars & restaurants, and more near you. You can also win an Ocean City getaway. Download the OceanCity.com App to easily navigate the festival!Scan now to download the app, then use it to navigate the festival, and win prizes when you get to Ocean City.
OceanCity.com’s partners just built an App just in time to help you navigate the festival and generally find what you are looking for in Ocean City. You can download it now by scanning the code above or going to https://oceancitydotcom.ourloyaltyapp.com.
THE APP IS BEING UPDATED NOW SO DOWNLOAD AND START USING WHEN YOU GET TO OCEAN CITY FOR THE FESTIVAL!
Music Making Waves for Three Days
Oceans Calling 2023 is a three day festival in partnership with musicians O.A.R. featuring over 30 performances on 3 stages on the beach adjacent to the Ocean City boardwalk.
The BEST way to see all the performances and their associated times and stages is to download the new OceanCity.com App (see below). You will be able to filter by performer, day or stage.
Download the OceanCity.com App and track all the concerts at the Oceans Calling Music Festival 2023.
Experience delicious east coast bites from local food vendors. Plus, learn tricks of the trade from world-renowned chef cooking demos that celebrate the region. Check out the current list of chefs who will be participating!
As visitors enter Ocean City from the Route 50 Bridge or drive south along S. Philadelphia Avenue, one cannot but be impressed with the white marlin sculpture and water feature they see prominently displayed at the Entry Park. Recent visitors to Ocean City may not realize this public art piece was only installed about twenty years ago. So, here’s the story.
In 2000, a nonprofit organization, Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) was formed to revitalize downtown Ocean City. One of its many goals was to install public art in the downtown district. OCDC believes public art enhances the quality of life for visitors and residents. Realizing that its initial piece of public art needed to be a statement piece and touch on the special aspects of Ocean City, the OCDC Public Art Committee recommended the creation of a white marlin sculpture. As many know, Ocean City is noted as the “White Marlin Capital of the World.”
The best location for this new public artwork was deemed to be the Entry Park which was at the base of the Route 50 Bridge. This rather small park is very visible but was underutilized. In fact, this property at one time contained Dale’s Esso gas station that closed and the building demolished in the 1980’s. The land was purchased by the Town of Ocean City. Its interim use was a small park with limited landscaping. Luckily, that property was available for OCDC’s first public artwork.
OCDC then sought out several area artists and selected Paul Lockhart, a resident of Dorchester County on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Paul had a strong background in nature sculptures in metal and proposed this piece to be made of stainless-steel for its attractiveness as well as its durability. He proposed a fourteen-foot tall sculpture for this location. All agreed with this design, material, and size and Mr. Lockhart was commissioned for this project.
The next step was to design a water feature to surround this proposed signature sculpture. For this project, OCDC contracted with Hardscapes, Inc., a local contractor which had ample experience in hardscape design and outdoor living spaces.
In 2002, the OCDC then presented and received approval of this public art project from the Town of Ocean City. Once this project was approved, OCDC began a rigorous fundraising campaign needed to pay for the sculpture and the water feature. Knowing the challenges of such fundraising, OCDC recognized the project should be completed in two phases; the sculpture first, followed by the water feature.
Relying on private donations, OCDC was able to raise sufficient funds through its own membership and others having a great interest in supporting this new artwork. As a charitable nonprofit organization, contributions for this project were tax deductible. There were several levels of giving. All contributors who donated at least one thousand dollars were recognized on a plaque that still sets today, just east of the sculpture. Donations were made by individuals, businesses and other community organizations. Among the other community organizations which donated were: Ocean City Lions Club, Downtown Association, Boardwalk Development Association, Ocean City Parrothead Club, OC Beautification Committee, Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, and the Ocean City Hotel Motel Restaurant Association. Others donated in memory of deceased loved ones. In addition, there were many smaller donations received for this artwork. The intent was to make this a community funded project, and for this reason it was successful.
The sculpture was completed by Mr. Lockhart and installed in June 2002 at a ceremony attended by many. The next step was to fundraise for the water feature which would complete this first public art project. It took almost another year for the funds to be raised for the water feature; it being completed in 2003. A novel fundraiser was the raffling of Paul Lockhart’s working model (called a maquette) which was a small replica of the white marlin which generated over thirteen thousand dollars in raffle sales. A local resident won this raffle although tickets were sold throughout the Ocean City region.
So, for the past twenty years this public artwork has graced the entrance to Ocean City and has become a landmark feature. Often visitors can be seen getting their pictures taken in front of this majestic piece. Many have even had their wedding pictures taken in front of this artwork. It has become a great photo op location. OCDC is very proud to have facilitated this White Marlin sculpture and water feature as its first public artwork for all of Ocean City to view and enjoy. And now you know its story!!
Fitz and the Tantrums Performing at Oceans Calling on Sunday on Sunday October 1 Rockville Stage – 4.15pm
ABOUT FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS:
Multi-platinum artists Fitz and The Tantrums have energized popular music and culture with a series of unshakable, undeniable, and ubiquitous anthems and albums. Since 2008, the Los Angeles collective have magnified the scope of pop with a dash of indie, a dose of soul, and a whole lot of dancefloor-ready bounce. Their catalog spans fan favorite records such as Pickin’ up the Pieces [2010], More Than Just A Dream [2013], the gold-certified Fitz and The Tantrums [2016], and All the Feels [2019]. Along the way, they’ve impressively tallied just shy of 4 billion streams and counting powered by enduring hits such as the triple-platinum “HandClap,” platinum “Out of My League” and “The Walker,” and gold “Moneygrabber.” As an inescapable presence, their music has notably coursed through the mainstream conversation, soundtracking films on NETFLIX and campaigns for CVS Wellness, Sunchips, Sofi, Xfinity, Walmart, Norwegian Cruise Line, Lays, and Wells Fargo, to name a few. Beyond standout performances everywhere from Coachella and Bonaroo to numerous late-night television shows, they’ve consistently sold out some of the most iconic venues in the world, including The Forum and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Not to mention, they’ve incited the applause from Rolling Stone, Billboard, People, and more. In 2021, Fitz and The Tantrums frontman Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick released his first-ever solo album Head Up High under the moniker FITZ. Meanwhile, co-lead vocalist Noelle Scaggs founded Diversify The Stage to help foster more diverse, inclusive, equitable, and accessible concerts, events, and touring workforces for historically marginalized and underrepresented communities. Fitz and The Tantrums once again leap forward with their bold, bright, and buoyant new album Let Yourself Free.
Fitz and The Tantrums are: Michael “Fitz” Fitzpatrick (vocals), Noelle Scaggs (vocals), James King (saxophone, flute), Jeremy Ruzumna (keyboards), and Joseph Karnes (bass).
Katherine Ruskey:Hi guys, I’m Katie with Ocean City.com. And we have some really exciting news today. We are here with the winners of the August sandcastle contest. We are here with the Baker family, the Polsinelli family, and the Leahy family! Guys, how are you?
Christina Polsinelli: Doing well.
John and Laura Leahy: Great.
Katherine Ruskey: Perfect. So I need to know who’s part of the Baker family. Raise your hand- part of the Baker family- and the Polsinelli family. And the Leahy family.Great. So, how did this trip get started? I know you guys say, this is an annual trip for all of you for your three families, coming to Ocean City. Were you guys friends to begin with? How did it all start?
John Leahy: No. So we started over 20 years ago, 21 or so. So we went down with the family. We have five children. At the time we had two or three. Yes. And Anthony’s family has two daughters, Gabby, Christina. The kids met up on a beach.Anthony, I think had dug a hole and the kids were playing in it. And I think the next year I was digging out a bench. Or something like that, some kind of furniture. We just started talking. I remember Anthony had a Boston Red Sox towel.
John Leahy: We were at Seal Beach, number 10 and the Polsinelli family was across the street. And what’s the name? .
Anthony Polsinelli: Constellation House.
John Leahy: So we’d see them coming off the beach and going on to the beach, so it just started as the kids playing together and then we built them a couch in the sand and then the couch became something else and then it became something else. It’s just grown over the time. So that’s how originally got started. We didn’t know The Polsinelli’s or The Baker’s. We just went down on our family vacation, with my wife’s family.
Katherine Ruskey: So, I was gonna say you guys had no idea who each other were before you actually went to Ocean City.
Anthony Polsinelli: No, no idea.
John Leahy: No, and now they regret it.
Katherine Ruskey: Lol- You guys are funny!
John Leahy: yeah, and…
John Leahy: Now It’s been over 20 years and now both families are coming to our oldest daughter’s wedding.
Katherine Ruskey: That’s incredible. Girls do you remember these early sand sculptures, or were you even alive 20 years ago?
Gabriella Polsinelli: Definitely remember the couches in the sand and then creating the little TV to look at myself. Mr. John’s daughter. I think we’re the ones who hit it off specifically on the sand couch. So, definitely a lot of memories. Super fun.
Katherine Ruskey: Do you guys have one specific sand sculpture that stands out as your favorite or maybe one that took the longest? How long does it take you to actually make some of these things?
Christina Polsinelli: I mean, some of the bigger ones we did were cars- Kirby?
John Leahy: Yep-Kirby.
Christina Polsinelli: We did a Tow Mater
John Leahy: A favorite.
Katherine Ruskey: So cool.
Christina Polsinelli: They take a long time.
John Leahy: Yeah, they’re an all-day project and…
Anthony Polsinelli:Yeah, there are a lot of sand,…
Anthony Polsinelli: A lot of water- it’s an all-day thing. We start out early. The dads are out early on the beach.
John Leahy: Yeah.
Anthony Polsinelli: Getting everything ready early.
Katherine Ruskey: Is it all hands-on deck or is this more like you guys watch the dads do all the work because usually the dads are all the ones building and everything- digging the holes. Who’s doing most of the work here?
Christina Polsinelli: Yeah. we supervise,…
Gabriella Polsinelli:Not us.
John Leahy: Yeah.
Anthony Polsinelli:They make the suggestions. Why don’t you do something bigger? And why don’t you come out in the morning and dig some sand? no,…
Laura Leahy: Yep.
Christina Polsinelli: I won’t be doing that.
Katherine Ruskey: How do you guys come up with the ideas for it? Because I’m gonna show a picture and I’m gonna share my screen if I can get it to work. We have a Snoopy. We have the Ocean City logo. How do you guys decide?
John Leahy: Usually the kids. Even though they’re not kids anymore. But usually the kids come up with ideas, About what’s popular. So if there’s a movie or something that’s out because if you look back at the ones we’ve done over the years, we’ve done Bugs Bunny and all that kind of stuff. And now, since we’ve done what we consider popular now, we got to do stuff with the younger kids, the four, five, six year olds will recognize. So we rely on all our daughters to come up with ideas…
Katherine Ruskey: True.
John Leahy: They come up with these ideas and we will do printouts and bring the printouts to the beach.
Katherine Ruskey: So I was going to ask. Do you guys have requests? Are you in the middle of something and someone comes up and says, Hey, can you make me or can you do this next?
Christina Polsinelli: Yeah, sometimes a lot of the kids come by and they see us there every year and it’s a lot of repeat people to come and see it every year . Every year we do something new and the sculptures have a year stamped on it in shells so we know the year.
Katherine Ruskey: Yeah, I was gonna say. , It looks like there are shells on the Ocean City logo that we’re seeing here. Is that seashells inside of it?
Athony Polsinelli: Yep, that is true. And hey, maybe the kids, they actually have a part. They collect the shells.
Katherine Ruskey: Okay, so who’s got the good penmanship because somebody has some really good penmanship in the sand. That’s a talent right there.
Anthony Polsinelli:That is a talent.
John Leahy: Yeah, Mr. Chad and I- We’re the laborers, Anthony’s, the artist.
Katherine Ruskey: What’s the eyes made up of in the Yoshi?
Christina Polsinelli: That is just cardboard.
Katherine Ruskey: Really?
Anthony Polsinelli: Some of them are plastic, some of them are cardboard, whatever sculpture. It depends what we’re doing that day. And we have a whole slew of them, and we try to incorporate at least an eyeball or some buttons in there. Just as a special thing to let it stick out a little bit further, that’s all.
Katherine Ruskey: I think this Snoopy is my favorite.
John Leahy: You have to get Miss Denise on the screen because she collects the bag of eyeballs that we’ve had for about 20 years.
John Leahy: Bottle caps. Sponges anything, you can find, she collects them,
Katherine Ruskey: That’s incredible. So, how hard is it to leave it there year after year knowing that the waves are gonna come up and crash it, someone’s gonna step on it, and you come back the next day and it’s not there. How heartbreaking is that?
Anthony Polsinelli: Me and Mr. John, we’re out there early in the morning, Mr. Chad, the first thing I do, when I get over that dune, I look for that mound to be there from yesterday. And there’s a lot of days that it’s not, but there are some days that it’s completely intact from the day before.
Katherine Ruskey: That’s incredible. People sometimes don’t want to touch it because it is so beautiful.
Christina Polsinelli: Yeah, it’s cool. It’s really fun to do and it’s fun to see it there all day. You see people walking by coming by and taking pictures of it. Taking their pictures behind it. It’s fun.
Katherine Ruskey: Girls. Are you planning next year’s picture already or is that something that you’ll do the week before?
Christina Polsinelli: I’m already getting ideas. I look at kids bookbags.
Katherine Ruskey: That’s a good idea, very cool. So before we leave, let’s just take a roll call. Where you guys from? Which state?
Anthony Polsinelli: Mr. John you go first.
John Leahy: The Leahy’s are from New York State.
Katherine Ruskey: And the Baker’s?
The Baker Family: The Baker’s are from Eldersburg, Maryland.
Katherine Ruskey: And the Polsinelli’s?
Anthony Polsinelli:We’re from Baltimore, Maryland.
Katherine Ruskey: It was so nice to talk to you. Thank you so much for joining us. You were just the picture of how Ocean City is special to all families, Bringing everybody together and having a really good time here on the beach.
Anthony Polsinelli:We thank you for holding the contest this year. It was something our family told us about sometime in June or so and I said “We’re gonna be there in August. We’re gonna think of something to submit.” It was really cool that you had it and I’m super excited that we won.
Katherine Ruskey: We’ll have to look for you guys next year and see what you guys are gonna do.
John Leahy: If you look at Facebook, we have a page OC Sand sculptures. If you visit you can see everything we’ve ever done over the years.
Katherine Ruskey: That’s incredible. Everybody- Go out and visit OC Sand sculptures on Facebook and check out all of the Baker, Leahy, and Polsinelli sculptures from the past 20 years. Guys, we look forward to seeing what you’ll do for us next year.
Although a rainy weekend is forecast for this weekend, just yesterday, the sun was shining, a warm breeze was blowing, and the Boardwalk was busy with visitors enjoying the slightly slower pace of Ocean City in its second season. The kites are out at the Kite Loft for their Sunfest Kite Fest (yes, we know its not Sunfest Weekend, that happens on October 19-22 this year), there are more seagulls than people enjoying the beach, and stores selling t-shirts and taffy are open for business. Bike riders get to enjoy riding the Boardwalk all day long, and restaurants are busily serving those who are lucky enough to be here. We have put together some pictures to entice you to visit at this time of year, bearing in mind there’s not always a tropical storm hovering off the coast!
OCEAN CITY, MD — Sept. 21, 2023 — The Art League of Ocean City announces that a limited number of tickets are still available for the nonprofit organization’s Diamond Jubilee Gala. The event is on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the oceanfront Ashore Resort & Beach Club.
For 60 years, the Art League has fostered and celebrated the arts in Ocean City and beyond. The Diamond Jubilee Gala marks their diamond-year anniversary and is a fund-raiser and friend-raiser for the arts organization to continue its work.
The gala will offer guests a full bar, a palette of fine food for dining, dancing to “The Heartbeats,” Philadelphia’s hottest party band, the drawing of the winning 50/50 raffle ticket with a potential $30,000 payout, plus some surprise activities for which the Art League is noted.
“Please join us for the ‘pARTy of the Year’ in Ocean City,” Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League, said. “It will be an evening to remember. The fare will be exceptional; the venue and ocean view, spectacular; and the big-city entertainment, outstanding. And you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause while you’re having fun mingling with our wonderful guests. Tickets are selling quickly, so we suggest reserving yours early if you’d like to attend.”
“We would also like to thank our top-level sponsors who are already making this event a success for us, even before the big evening,” Thaler added. “These sponsors include the Gudelsky Group of Companies, the Ashore Resort & Beach Club, Paul and Emily Schwab, Bank of Ocean City, Jack Burbage Foundation, Seacrets, and Rina and Jeff Thaler.”
“Also, Jerry and Pat Selig, Carey Distributors, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Joan Jenkins Foundation, Snowden Lane, Pohanka of Salisbury, T&G Builders, John Sisson, Madlyn and Billy Carder, Jim and Jan Perdue, and T.E.A.M. Productions. And our gratitude goes out to our other sponsors, as well.
Tickets are $150 per person and available online at OCart.org/DiamondJubilee or by calling 410-524-9433.
The Art League of Ocean City isa nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects. Financial support comes primarily through membership dues from individuals and corporate sponsors.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Worcester County, Md, meaning sustained winds of 40mph or more are expected within the next 36 hours.
According to the Weather Channel, there could be:
Peak Wind Forecast: 30-40 mph with gusts to 55 mph – Window for Tropical Storm force winds: early Saturday morning until Saturday morning.
Localized storm surge possible – Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for 1-3 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas – Window of concern: Friday evening until Sunday morning.
Peak Rainfall Amounts: 2-4 inches, with locally higher amounts
Large breaking waves of 2 to 5 ft will result in dangerous surf conditions and a high risk for rip currents.
Be prepared for coastal flooding and isolated to scattered power outages. Please be careful on the beach and follow the life guards instructions. Always remember to keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard’s in the stand.
As the summer season gradually transitions to fall, Ocean City, Maryland, continues to shine as a year-round destination with a captivating lineup of 5 post-Labor Day events. Beyond the sun-soaked beaches, Ocean City boasts a vibrant calendar filled with diverse activities catering to a wide range of interests. Here, we present the big events that grace Ocean City during this special time, including “Sunfest,” “OCtoberfest Shore Craft Beer Festival,” “Bike Week,” “Oceans Calling,” and “Endless Summer Cruisin’.”
Bikes on the Boardwalk for Bike Week in Ocean City
Motorcycle enthusiasts can look forward to the thunderous roar of engines during Ocean City Bike Week. This annual gathering attracts bikers from across the nation who come to enjoy scenic rides along Coastal Highway, admire custom bikes, and immerse themselves in live entertainment, including concerts and stunt shows. The sense of camaraderie and the stunning coastal backdrop make this event a memorable experience for all motorcycle enthusiasts.
The music line-up for Oceans Calling 2023 is pretty impressive!
“Oceans Calling” is a unique event that combines education and adventure for those who feel a special connection to the ocean. This multi-day festival focuses on marine conservation and offers visitors the chance to participate in beach cleanups, guided nature walks, and informative talks by marine biologists. It’s a meaningful way to give back to the environment and deepen your appreciation for Ocean City’s natural beauty.
Car enthusiasts will be thrilled to join the Endless Summer Cruisin’ event. Taking place in early October, this gathering showcases an impressive array of classic cars, hot rods, and custom vehicles. Streets and parking lots transform into a paradise for car enthusiasts, complete with a swap meet and car auctions. Whether you’re a collector or simply appreciate automotive craftsmanship, this event offers a visual feast for all.
Sunfest, Ocean City’s iconic celebration of arts, crafts, music, and cuisine, marks the perfect way to kick off the post-Labor Day season. With hundreds of vendors showcasing their unique creations, live entertainment on multiple stages, and a tantalizing array of culinary delights, Sunfest is a feast for the senses and a beloved event for families and friends alike.
The Other One Brewing Company is the only brewery actually in Ocean City.
For beer enthusiasts, OCtoberfest Shore Craft Beer Festival is a must-attend event. Held in Sunset Park in downtown Ocean City, this festival offers an impressive selection of craft beers, mead, seltzers and more from local and regional breweries. As you savor your favorite brews, enjoy live music by the Dunehounds, games, and indulge in delicious food from a wide variety of food trucks. It’s an opportunity to raise your glass in the spirit of Oktoberfest while taking in the coastal atmosphere. There will be over 40 different beverages to sample from 15+ local breweries and meaderies.
Ocean City MD Running Festival (October 28, 2023)
Runners take to the boards.
The Ocean City MD Running Festival is coming to Ocean City on October 28th with four options: you can run a Marathon, a Half-Marathon, an 8K or a 5K option so it should appeal to runners of all ages and abilities. This is the first year so check out what Corrigan Sports is bringing to Ocean City. AND – if you are here for the race, but want to participate in the Octoberfest Shore Craft Beer Fest, just use the code “save5” to Save $5 on each ticket you purchase online on ShoreCRaftBeerFest.com.
Ocean City’s post-Labor Day events offer something for everyone, whether you’re an art lover, beer connoisseur, motorcycle enthusiast, or nature enthusiast. With a backdrop of ocean waves and the coastal breeze, these events provide a unique opportunity to savor the charm and culture of this beloved beach destination well into the autumn season. So, pack your bags and prepare for a memorable Ocean City experience that goes beyond the summer months
Typically, everybody thinks about Ocean City in the winter, plans in the Spring, enjoys the summer in our beach resort town and then leaves the beach for work, school, and family obligations after Labor Day. I’m here to tell you that there isn’t a more beautiful place to visit than Assateague Island after Labor Day.
Ashley Mowery-Steele – Horses joining us for a beach picnic on Assateague Island. Summer is about people and the joy of hot days at the beach, but Assateague after Labor Day has its own advantages.
The sun is lower in the sky, it’s golden light seems more golden, the shadows seem longer, and the beach is relatively deserted. Gone are the crowds and with them some of the excitement and fun of a beautiful summer beach resort. However, while there may be nostalgia for kids laughing and playing in the surf, the quiet and solitude of a wide open beach with lots of wildlife and waves dotted with surfers has its own reward.
Surfers at Assateague waiting for waves from Hurricane Lee.
Hurricanes churn the Atlantic and if we are lucky, they travel north far off the coast, not threatening any beaches but churning up larger waves that push towards shore with long period swells. This is what the surfer waits all year for and what she plays on during this fleeting time of year.
You can even work from the beach!
If you want to see magical beauty, because there is no other way to describe it, then pack your beach chairs, a bottle of water, and perhaps even a blanket and head to Assateague Island.
Everybody can enjoy Assateague. There are benches and elevated boardwalks so you can see the ocean even if you don’t want to walk on the beach.Assateague after Labor Day offers wide open vistas and green dune grasses as well as the blue skies and deep blue green ocean.You won’t believe the colors at Assateague when the days get shorter after Labor Day.This picture was taken with an iPhone – no color adjustment. It is truly that magical on Assateague.You can build a bonfire on the beach below the mean high tide line if you want to linger longer and enjoy the chill that late summer and autumn bring to the beach. A group gathering requires a permit.To cap off the beauty, a rainbow appeared where the pot of gold was the Assateague sign.As you leave the island, you pass the marshes. Frequently filled with birds and even the wild ponies, this view is just as beautiful as the beach.
Congratulations to the Trio of families that are now best of friends for winning Oceancity.com’s August Sand Castle Contest! We can’t wait to see what you’re planning for next year! Let’s meet The Baker Family from Eldersburg, Maryland.
Family Name: Baker
Who are the members and ages of your family:
Chad 52, Stacey 50, Ridgley 20, Ryan 18
Where are you from? Eldersburg, MD
How long is your drive? 3 hours
Where do you like to stay? Mid town 52-53rd St
How long have you been vacationing in Ocean City? Since we were all very young children
Family Favorites
Morning Activity: Set up beach camp to include building huge pile for Sandcastle later, bike riding and walking
Beach or Pool: Beach all the way
Favorite Beach Snack: Twizzlers
Must have items in your beach bag: Towel, chair clips, magazines, snacks, paint brush, napkins, trash bag, sunglasses cleaner, tissue
Breakfast Spot: beach
Lunch Spot: beach
Dinner Restaurant: Belly Busters delivered to the beach
Boardwalk Store: K Coast
Ice Cream Flavors: Dumsers black raspberry
Popcorn Flavors: caramel
Walk the boardwalk or ride the tram? Walk
Beach nap or swim in the ocean? Both
Tell All
Who sleeps in later on vacation? Ridgley and Ryan
Who is the better mini golf player? Ryan
Who packs the most clothes? Stacey
Who gets the most excited to come to Ocean City? Everyone
Who is most likely to jump in the ocean first? Ryan
Who is most likely to want to ride The Tidal Wave Roller Coaster? Ridgley
In 50 words or less, explain why you love Ocean City.
We enjoy the small town resort feeling that allows you to enjoy a beautiful clean beach relaxing with family and friends. The sunrises are invigorating and the sunsets are calming and beautiful. The salt air and hustle of the town always makes you feel like a kid again the minute you arrive.
Congratulations to the Trio of families that won the August Sand Castle Contest. Ocean City has truly brought people together and helped to create life long friends and even more memories. Let’s meet The Leahy Family from Holmes, New York!
Family Name: Leahy
Who are the members and ages of your family:
John and Laura, Kelly (27), Jill (24), Cara (22), Emma (18), Michael (17)
Where are you from? Holmes, NY
How long is your drive? 5 hours on a good day
Where do you like to stay? Seal Beach on 52nd St.
How long have you been vacationing in Ocean City? 23 years
Family Favorites
Morning Activity: Dunkin’ and Fractured Prune runs
Beach or Pool: Beach, always
Favorite Beach Snack: Tootsie Pops
Must have items in your beach bag: sunscreen and a good book
Breakfast Spot: Bad Monkey
Lunch Spot: Lunch on the Beach
Dinner Restaurant: In our kitchen or on the beach at 8pm
Boardwalk Store: Kite Loft
Ice Cream Flavors: Mint Chocolate Chip
Popcorn Flavors: Caramel
Walk the boardwalk or ride the tram? Walk
Beach nap or swim in the ocean? Swim in the ocean and then a beach nap
Tell All
Who sleeps in later on vacation? No one really, can’t cut into beach time!
Who packs the most clothes? Jill
Who gets the most excited to come to Ocean City? Michael
Who is most likely to jump in the ocean first? Emma
Who is most likely to want to ride The Tidal Wave Roller Coaster? Kelly
In 50 words or less, explain why you love Ocean City.
Ocean City has become a home away from home for our family. We have made life long friends who have become family over the years. Ocean City holds such special memories for our family and we always eagerly anticipate coming back each year.
Congratulations to the Trio of Families that won the last sand castle contest of the summer. The amount of skill that it takes to create these sand sculptures is incredible. But the amount of fun surpasses it all. Let’s learn about one third of the winners- the Polsinelli Family from Baltimore, Maryland.
Family Name: Polsinelli
Anthony, age 59
Denise, age 58
Gabriella, age 29
Gabriella’s Husband Christopher, age 30
Christina, age 25
Where are you from? Baltimore
How long is your drive? 2½ hrs
Where do you like to stay? Constellation House – 52nd st oceanfront
How long have you been vacationing in Ocean City? 40 yrs
Family Favorites
Morning Activity: watching the sunrise from the beach while setting up chairs and umbrellas for our entire group, taking a walk
Walk the boardwalk or ride the tram? Walk the boardwalk
Beach nap or swim in the ocean? Can’t decide cause we do both everyday
Tell All
Who sleeps in later on vacation? Gabriella and Christina
Who is the better mini golf player? Anthony
Who packs the most clothes? Denise
Who gets the most excited to come to Ocean City? Anthony & Christina
Who is most likely to jump in the ocean first? Christina
Who is most likely to want to ride The Tidal Wave Roller Coaster? Anthony
In 50 words or less, explain why you love Ocean City.
We go the same week every year (White Marlin Open week), stay at the same place and look forward to spending the week with our OC families again. We stay on the beach all day (and evening), build sand sculptures every day, play games and even have a fire pit one night with food and music. It’s a blast! Can’t wait to make more OC memories again next year.
Captain Kerry is a native of the Eastern Shore. Born in Milford, DE, he got his start fishing in the Indian River Inlet in 1968 and began fishing full-time the following year. Like many fishermen in the area, Kerry came from a fishing family. His father was an avid sport fisherman. Although he passed away when Kerry was six, Kerry continued his legacy of sportfishing, which took him to many places around the world, including the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Virgin Islands. Though he enjoyed traveling, he was often gone for up to three months at a time, which made it hard to settle down and start a family. Eventually, his brother proposed they work together, and Kerry settled back on the Eastern Shore in 1979. It wasn’t until right before the COVID-19 pandemic began that his current business, Seaborn Seafood, was able to come to full fruition with the help of his son and grandson. With his son taking over operations on the Seaborn, and his grandson taking over operations on the Integrity, another one of Kerry’s boats,
Seaborn’s vessel, Integrity, is docked in the West Ocean City Marina. Photo Credit: Zach Garmoe
Kerry was able to shift his focus to starting a more permanent seafood market, and thus, Seaborn Seafood was born. Currently, three generations work at Seaborn, and another generation is right in line to learn the family business. Kerry’s daughter also helps with cutting fish and operating the market. Kerry explained that when it gets busy in the summer, he is thankful to have some extra help with cutting, as it is difficult for them to cut fish as quickly as they sell them. Though not nearly as busy in the winter, Kerry explained that even during that time of year they bring in a great diversity of seafood including lobsters, seabass, monkfish, squid, porgys, and mackerel. Moving more into spring, they will begin to catch more tuna, swordfish, pomfret, and mako shark. Seaborn Seafood is able to bring in such a diversity of products because they utilize several different fishing methods. One of these methods uses a longline, which is comprised of a very long trail of fishing line with many baited hooks. Kerry said that they typically use about 20 miles of fishing line during their longline trips. These lines can be set at many different depths depending on what species the fisher is trying to catch or avoid.
The logo for Seaborn Seafood at their stand in the West Ocean City Marina. Photo Credit: Zach Garmoe
The Seaborn also utilizes traps known as pots, similar to the well-known ones used to catch the blue crab. Kerry noted that out of all his gear, pots typically take the most preparation as you have to set, retrieve, and clean them and make sure they are in running order for the start of the season. For a relatively small boat that Kerry built himself, it is impressive that the Seaborn has three different fishing options on board. Kerry built the Seaborn from scratch, and it has been through everything with him. He has taken the Seaborn to the Yucatan Peninsula, the Florida Keys, and even Cuba. It is equipped with living quarters, showers, a galley, and is still able to hold twenty thousand pounds of fish below deck. In addition to their adventures, Kerry and the Seaborn have also seen many changes to the commercial fishing industry and the OC Fisherman’s Marina since their first voyage.
Kerry and his grandson. Photo Credit: Zach Garmoe
Despite its many challenges, Kerry loves the life that fishing has given him and appreciates all of the places he was able to see. Every day he is on the water, he enjoys the “excitement of the unknown” and the anticipation of seeing what is in his net or at the end of the lines. With the establishment of Seaborn Seafood, Kerry has been able to get experience with the market and retail end of seafood sales, where he enjoys some added bonuses. “The neatest part [of retail] is to meet so many people. Everybody’s got a story to tell. That is another really rewarding part of this job”, he says. Alongside the great people he meets at the market, he also appreciates other fishermen in the harbor who are like family to him. In the future, Kerry is looking forward to further mentoring the younger generations at Seaborn Seafood. His great grandsons, seven-year-old twins and a two-year-old, already practice throwing a cast net with him. He worries a lack of young people will cause the industry to die off, but he always hopes to “keep the light lit” so the commercial fishing fleet of Ocean City can continue to persist. Though he is unsure about the future of Ocean City’s commercial fishing industry, Kerry only has plans to expand his company
