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Ian Cancels Oceans Calling
Rain Policy for Oceans Calling Music Festival in Ocean City, MD
Hurricane Ian is bearing down on the West Coast of Florida, aiming at Tampa which has not had a direct hit from a hurricane in over 100 years. While the world rightly focuses on Florida and the impending doom there, many in the mid Atlantic area are worried about concerts on the beach.
According to local lore, the Oceans Calling Festival has sold tickets to people in all 50 states. Headliners like Alan’s Morissette, Cyndi Lauper, The Lumineers, Cage the Elephant, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, OAR, Skip Marley and more are scheduled to perform Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Festival Policy: Rain or Shine
Event officials continue to say that the event will be held rain or shine, but with tropical storm force winds, they acknowledge that they will make a weather call each morning. Any changes to their “rain or shine” policy will be announced on their social media pages and blasted out to their email and text lists first.
NO REASON TO PANIC YET
The OceanCity.com Facebook Group, Save Money Ocean City has lots of worried concert goers trying to sell their tickets. There is no need to panic yet, however, because the storm could deliver a glancing blow and just rain on our concerts, but not cancel them.
According to the Weather Channel, here are the current predictions for the festival weekend in Ocean City. Bring your rain gear and get ready for a fabulous concert. If that message changes, the organizers will let us know. In the meantime, the weather is currently fabulous, so come early to experience Ocean City at it’s best and stay for the music despite the rain.
WEATHER.COM (The Weather Channel) PREDICTIONS
Friday Day
Weather.com is forecasting a high of 68º on Friday with a 40% chance of rain during the day and winds blowing ENE at 20-30 mph.
Friday Night
Windy with evening showers evolving to a steady, soaking rain later at night. Low 63º. Winds still 20-30 mph. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Saturday Day
Windy at times with rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. High of 71º and winds remain at 20-30 mph. Chance of rain 100% with an accumulation of over an inch.
Saturday Night
Rain diminishes to intermittent showers with a low of 61º and winds at 15-25. Rainfall of about a half an inch. Could be locally heavy rainfall.
Sunday Day
Cloudy and windy with periods of rain. High of 68º with NE winds at 25-35. Chance of rain 70% with only a quarter of an inch expected.
Sunday Night
Cloudy and windy with periods of rain. High of 68º with winds NE at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Autumn in Ocean City
The second season in Ocean City is not to be confused with the second best season in Ocean City! It’s the season of quieter beaches, cooler temperatures, smaller waits in restaurants, and lower rates in hotels. What’s not to love? Take a look at some pictures taken this September in and around Ocean City Md, during the fabulous second season!
New Oceans Calling Festival Map and Performance Schedule
September 27th Update:
Check out the ALL NEW Oceans Calling Festival map and performance schedule. We have made some alterations to the previous layout of the festival to improve your experience and want you to be prepared as you join us for the first Oceans Calling festival this weekend!
Fall Foodie Favorites in Ocean City, MD
With pumpkin spice and everything nice taking over the Fall scene, Ocean City keeps up with their fall foodie seasonal favorites.
Pumpkin Spice and Apple Pie Popcorn
Fishers Popcorn
Pumpkin spice popcorn is now available for the season! With a subtle taste of pumpkin and cinnamon, a small box will just not do.
Apple pie popcorn is just what you need to get in that Autumn mindset. This featured popcorn flavor gets an extra boost with small chunks of cooked apples mixed in.
Pumpkin Custard and Cinnamon Custard
Kohr Bros.
Walking the boardwalk is synonymous with ice cream in hand. Pull on your favorite sweater and head on down to Kohr Bros. for their smooth seasonal pumpkin custard. The light pumpkin flavor makes it feel like Thanksgiving Day, but on the boardwalk.
If pumpkin isn’t your thing, try their cinnamon custard. With a sweet hint of cinnamon sugar, it’s a great way to end a warm afternoon.
Caramel Apples
Wockenfuss
Pecan caramel, apple pie cinnamon, and coconut caramel apples are just the tip of the caramel iceberg at Wockenfuss. With over ten different flavors of caramel apples to choose from, you are sure to find one that is just perfect for your taste buds.
Caramel Popcorn
Dolles
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with sticking with an OG caramel popcorn with optional added peanuts. If you stop by their window, you can watch them making it right in front of you!
Apple Cider Mimosas
Barn 34
Adults- we did not forget you! Barn 34 is now serving a beautifully presented and equally as delicious apple cider mimosa. With a decorated rim of caramel, cinnamon, and sugar, you can’t just have one. A simple mixture of champagne and apple cider- sometimes, “the simple things are the best things.”
Oceans Calling Music Festival: Ocean City, MD
The ocean is calling and people have answered. The highly anticipated Oceans Calling Music Festival is less than one week away. With three exciting days of epic music ahead, the planning has been in the works for months.
Planning for a huge event like Oceans Calling isn’t something that can be thrown together last minute. There are several moving parts that need to be handled and managed simultaneously. Steve Hynson of Edgemere, Maryland got the call months ago to help begin the process of setting up for one of the main music events of the season. “It’s really cool that we got the job to help down here in Ocean City. We started as a small business out of White Marsh, Maryland. As the years have gone by, Willscot has grown and I’m proud to say we’re a global company.”
Willscot, a temporary mobile office space company, has been moving equipment in the Ocean City Inlet since last week. “We’ve provided spaces for workers, maintenance, and even spaces for the performers to hang out before the show.”
With over thirty acts planned to take the stages beginning on Friday evening, several mobile units were moved into Ocean City in preparation for the big event. However it hasn’t been as smooth and easy as one may think. With Dover, Delaware hosting Firefly Music Festival, Hynson has been juggling two events at once. The time consuming task of moving equipment from Dover to Ocean City has had its challenges. Taking the hour and a half trip from Dover to OC and back takes up several hours in the day- along with the eight hour time limit for moving drivers. “It’s been a bit of a hectic time to manage the timing piece.” However Hynson knows that with patience and strategic management, both events will be better than ever.
One thing that the event coordinators are watching closely is the weather for next weekend. With several hurricanes lingering out in the Atlantic, remnants of Hurricane Ian seem to track in the direction of Ocean City. “Some of our initial plans had to be switched last minute to make sure that most of the equipment was further away from a threat of high tides here at the inlet.” While all precautions are being taken seriously, fingers stay crossed that the storms pass by further out to sea.
Steve Hynson, who has been working for Willscot for 12 years, was happy to be back in Ocean City to work. It’s been a place where he and his family have vacationed for many years and now he continues the tradition with his wife and children. “We (Willscot) are thankful for the great relationship between Willscot and C3 Presents out of California for the opportunity to deliver for Oceans Calling.”
Tickets are still available for Oceans Calling. For more information on line ups and tickets, visit https://www.oceanscallingfestival.com/.
Fiona’s ripple effect on Ocean City
As it heads north to Canada this weekend, Hurricane Fiona is far enough off Ocean City’s coast to prevent us feeling the full power of its force, but step onto the beach and its effects are very obvious when you look at the ocean. The waves were impressive today, and will continue to look that way all weekend, and while our thoughts are with the east coast of Canada this weekend, here in Ocean City there is a show to be seen. So if you are in town, head out to the beach and enjoy it from a safe distance. Here are some photos taken today showing the beauty and the strength of the waves in Ocean City Md.
Surf Advisory in Ocean City, 9/22-9/23
The National Weather Service has issued a surf advisory for September 22 and 23 for the Maryland beaches. Read the entire alert here.
| Event: | High Surf Advisory |
| Alert: |
...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 8 PM EDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...Large breaking waves of 6 to 9 feet expected in the surf zone. * WHERE...In Maryland, the Maryland Beaches. In North Carolina, Eastern Currituck County including the northern Outer Banks. In Virginia, Virginia Beach, and Accomack and Northampton Counties. * WHEN...From 6 AM to 8 PM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Time of high total tides are approximate to the nearest hour. OCEAN CITY INLET MD MLLW CATEGORIES - MINOR 4.0 FT, MODERATE 5.0 FT, MAJOR 6.0 FT MHHW CATEGORIES - MINOR 1.5 FT, MODERATE 2.5 FT, MAJOR 3.5 FT |
Ocean City Encouraging Oceans Calling Festival Participants to Have A Plan
Walk, Bike or Use Public Transportation During Oceans Calling Festival
Ocean City, Maryland – (September 21, 2022): The Town of Ocean City is excited to welcome the first ever Oceans Calling Festival to Ocean City, MD, starting Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 2. Residents and visitors should expect alternate traffic patterns, heavy pedestrian traffic, and vehicle traffic delays. Limited parking and congestion are expected in the downtown area from the Route 50 Bridge to 33rd Street at various times (predictably from 11 a.m. through midnight).
For Concertgoers Going to the Event, Here’s What You Need to Know:
Expect Alternate Traffic Patterns: The following alternate traffic patterns should be expected between 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. on Friday, September 30, Saturday, October 1, and Sunday, October 2nd:
- The area south of the Harry Kelley Memorial Bridge (Rt 50 Bridge) will be closed to non-event vehicular traffic from approximately 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. each evening. The south turn lane off of US Rt. 50 onto southbound Philadelphia Ave will be restricted to emergency and mass transit vehicles only.
- Vehicular traffic south on Philadelphia Ave will be diverted onto N. Division St and then north on Baltimore Ave.
- A traffic pattern will be established to direct all southbound traffic on St. Louis Ave to 2nd Street towards Philadelphia Ave.
- Northbound traffic on Baltimore Ave (between S. Division St to Talbot) will be reduced to one lane. The middle lane will be utilized to stage mass transit vehicles and the easternmost lane will be designated for pedestrian use only.
Vehicle Parking: Please remember that parking is limited in the downtown area. If you are driving from out of Ocean City limits, parking is strongly recommended at the West Ocean City Park & Ride. Keep in mind, parking at the municipal parking lots is available on a first come, first served basis. Additional parking is available at the Ocean City Convention Center Parking Lot and the 100th Street Municipal Parking Lot. The 100th Street Municipal Parking Lot is not free. Click here to learn more about Ocean City, MD, public parking options and parking fees. Also, there are several privately owned parking lots throughout the city. Attendees using those lots are subject to their private parking fees.
Use the Ocean City Beach Bus: Public Transportation is available on Ocean City’s municipal buses that travel along Coastal Highway. Whether you’re parked at your hotel/accommodation or at a municipal parking lot (the West Ocean City Park & Ride, the Ocean City Convention Center Parking Lot and the 100th Street Municipal Parking Lot) you can Ride-All-Day for only $3. The Ride-All-Day pass allows you to ride from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m. and travel from the South Division Street Transit Center to the North End Transit Center (144th Street & Coastal Highway). You can also track your bus in real time with Ocean City’s bus locator app. Remember exact cash fare is required.
When leaving the Festival in the evening, concertgoers can walk to Baltimore Avenue. Patrons traveling north can catch a northbound bus. Northbound buses will be staged on Baltimore Avenue between Worcester Street and Talbot Street. Patrons traveling west to the West Ocean City Park and Ride can take a bus from the South End Transit Station (South Division Street) directly to the West Ocean City Park and Ride Lot on Route 50.
Concertgoers should anticipate bus demand after the event to be extremely high.
This will result in limited availability and delays for those leaving the event.
Walk/Bike: Walking and/or Biking is strongly encouraged as parking is limited downtown. The walk from the North End of the Boardwalk (27th Street) to the Inlet Parking Lot is approximately a 2.3 mile walk, taking around 45 minutes. Please remember to Walk Smart, use crosswalks, and wait for the pedestrian signal. Bike Parking will be available just north of North Division Street on/near the Beach/Boardwalk.
Approximate Walking/Biking Times
From 10th St, 15 min walk, or 5 min bike ride
From 20th St, 30 min walk, or 8 min bike ride
From 30th St, 45 min walk, or 10 min bike ride
From 40th St, 55 min walk, or 13 min bike ride
Taxi, Uber, Lift and General Drop Off: The official passenger drop-off and pick-up location for Oceans Calling are located at 300 St. Louis Avenue. The walk from the ballfield to the festival grounds is approximately 5-10 minutes. Please keep in mind that ride share demand will be very high after the concert with a limited number of drivers. Consider leaving early or taking a stroll along the boardwalk until the rush is over. Also remember, areas south of N. Division Street will be closed to vehicular traffic, so ride share, taxi, and friends won’t be able to pick you up near the venue. It will be best to walk north to 3rd St, then west toward the Ocean Bowl Skate Park.
ADA: All Town of Ocean City municipal buses are ADA accessible. In addition, ADA parking is available at all municipal parking lots, including the West Ocean City Park & Ride and the Convention Center. Keep in mind, parking at the municipal parking lots is available on a first come, first served basis. Further, ADA drop off and pick up is available at 1 N. Division St (east of S. Baltimore Ave.)
Water Taxi: The OC Bay Hopper will offer dedicated trips for concert goers from three locations (118th Street, Ocean Pines Yacht Club and Pier 23). Their service will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. until 11:40 p.m.. Reservations are required and can be made by visiting https://ocbayhopper.
Finally, Ocean City Police and Public Safety personnel will be assigned throughout the area to assist patrons and traffic control conditions. Visitors attending the concert should remember the follow tips before attending the three-day festival:
Have a Plan: There will be lots of excitement in the air during the three-day music festival but don’t forget to have a plan.
- Plan for a reunification center in case you and the individual(s) you came with get separated.
- Plan for a sober ride home. Don’t drink and drive.
- Plan for your ride home. Pack your patience when leaving the event. Transportation will be limited and delays are expected. Know what transportation method you would like to use and have a back-up option.
- Have Fun! Enjoy a great stay in Ocean City, MD!
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Note: The Boardwalk Trams will not run during Oceans Calling.
A Visit to Assateague on a September Evening
Fall is my favorite season in Ocean City, MD and Assateague is my favorite place to visit. We are experiencing an Indian summer so the temperatures are in the 80s during the day with 50s at night. The ocean is still warm so swimmers and beach revelers are enjoying the beach, but the droves of visitors are gone. Surfers love the corduroy waves generated by the storms headed north off-shore. They just hope that the winds cooperate to keep the waves clean and long.
I took some pictures of my favorite outing – horses walked on the beach with the kids and families. Couples were sitting around campfires because the evening chill in the air brings that romance back. Parking is easy. The mosquitoes are terrible, but you can outrun them to reach the beach where the bugs are gone and just the birds and ocean will distract you.
The sun set while we were on the beach and we, along with the ponies, headed back to the parking lot. We stopped to take a few pictures of nature’s light show on the bay before we drove back over the bridge.
Enjoy the photos.
The 3 Best Bookstores In Ocean City, MD
In this day and age, so many people read electronically, that the good, old-fashioned book stores are becoming a thing of the past. What is a beach vacation without a beach read, however? Here in Ocean City, you can still find a bookstore if you are wanting that feet in the sand, book in your hand relaxation. Here is my list of the best bookstores in the Ocean City area.
1. Down Under Books
Down Under Books is a bit of a hidden gem but a local favorite. It is tucked beneath the Lankford Hotel, right on the Ocean City Boardwalk. This store carries a large and dynamic collection of new and used books. It’s the perfect place to browse for an inexpensive find.
2. The Buzzed Word
The Buzzed Word is a unique combination book and wine store founded by Ocean-city native Mickie Meinhardt. The store features a wide selection of books as well as a wine bar. There are plenty of events (look out for the October Wine Fest), so be sure to check it out when you’re in town!
Open daily at 11am
3. The Greyhound – An Indie Bookstore
Next up is a sweet combination bookstore and fine art gallery in historic Berlin, Maryland. We added Berlin, because it is only 6 miles from Ocean City and is worth a stop, whether for browsing books, grabbing a beer at Burley Oak, or sampling some of the restaurant offerings. The store is housed within the Ayers Building, which has been passed down to successive generations since 1895 to owner Susan Ayers Winbrow today. Stop in for an author signing, to meet local artists and authors, or to pick up your next favorite read. It just may be sitting among these shelves of indie and bestselling books.
Open daily 11am – 4pm
Bonus round!: Ocean City Worcester County Library
When in doubt, there is always the local library. A broad variety of literary and digital resources abound, along with plenty of events such as knitting groups, trivia Thursday, and kid’s book tastings on Saturdays. You can also pick up curated book club kits, participate in reading challenges, or schedule books by mail. Out-of-towners can get a library card for $10 a year, while residents can borrow for free.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday – 10 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday – 10 am – 7:00 pm
Friday – 9 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday – 10 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday – Closed
Sand Castle Home Tour is Back In-Person Sept 29 – 30th, 2022
SAND CASTLE HOME TOUR IS BACK IN-PERSON SEPT. 29-30, 2022 TO BENEFIT THE ART LEAGUE OF OCEAN CITY
OCEAN CITY, MD — Sept. 19, 2022 — Tickets are now on sale for the 18th Annual Sand Castle Home Tour, an annual fundraiser for the Art League of Ocean City. The tour raised the seed money to construct the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th St., and now supports keeping the nonprofit Center free and open to all.
The tour returns in-person in 2022 with seven exceptional homes open for tours on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 29-30 from 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Guests tour at their own pace. The tour features three homes in north Ocean City, plus homes in West Ocean City, Berlin, Glen Riddle and Ocean Pines.
A companion 10-home virtual tour presents the seven homes on the in-person tour plus three additional online-only homes. The virtual tour is available from Sept. 29 through Oct. 31, 2022 on the tour’s website and includes a variety of homes from oceanfront to bayside to family residences and condos.
Combo tickets for both the in-person and virtual tours are $50 per person. Tickets to the virtual-only tour are $35. Both are available at SandCastleHomeTour.com or by calling 410-524-9433.
“We’re excited to be back in person in 2022 after going all-virtual during the pandemic. We invite everyone to join us as we celebrate the 18th year of the Sand Castle Home Tour, the event that provided much of the funding to enable us to open the beautiful Ocean City Center for the Arts,” Rina Thaler, Executive Director of the Art League, said. “Now, the annual Home Tour helps us keep our doors open and our educational programs going.”
Volunteer docents staff each home, guide visitors through the rooms and outdoor spaces, and answer questions about the house and its unique features. Those taking the tour will be inspired with unique decorating ideas, color schemes, and different styles of living. Local businesses — architects, builders, home decorators, artists, florists, remodelers, landscapers — have the opportunity to show off their talents and showcase their products, and tour takers have the opportunity to hear directly from the homeowners and contractors who were involved in each home.
The Ocean City Center for the Arts at 502 94th Street is the home of the Art League of Ocean City, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects. More information is available at 410-524-9433 or artleagueofoceancity.org.
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Ocean City from Above
We all love our town, but it’s only when we see it from above do we realize how magnificent our little strip of sand is. With water surrounding three sides of this peninsula, it manages to support hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, providing accommodation, restaurants and lots of fun things to do. There’s even a few people who live and work here year round, and get to call it home. Here are some fabulous photos showing just how amazing Ocean City Md is!
Top 5 Places to Watch Football in Ocean City, Maryland
Football is back down the beach! Here is a list of the top places to grab a bite, a beer, and cheer on your favorite team.
- Alley Oops- 56th Street, 131st Street
M-Th- $3 Millers Lite, $2.50 Budweiser, $2.50 Bud Light, $1.50 Natural Light
Sunday Red Zone Specials 20% off food at the bar and tables, NFL Drink Specials https://midtown.alleyoopsoc.com/specials/
2. Greene Turtle West OC
Tailgate Menu featuring sliders, pretzels, food baskets
$5 Bloody Marys
$5.25 Stella, Dogfish Head, Blue Moon
$13.99 Bud Light Buckets with a Coozie
3. Buxy’s Salty Dog Saloon- 28th Street
$8 Crushes, $12 Shore Food Menu https://buxys.com/specials/
A Steelers fan favorite!
4. Pickles Pub- 7th Street
Happy Hour prices https://picklesoc.com/ocean-city-specials/
5. Taphouse- 4th on the Boardwalk, 45th Street, 134th Street
Happy Hour all day
Football Menu featuring flatbreads, sliders, cheesy pub chips
$1 wings https://octaphouses.com/
September is Still Summer in Ocean City, Maryland
It’s the time of year that the age-old question comes about. “Is September still Summer?” Well if you go to Ocean City, Maryland, the answer is a unanimous “yes!” Here’s why.
The Beach
With the weather averaging between mid 70’s and upper 80’s, the beach is the perfect place to be in September. The vacationing crowds have died down. The blistering sun and unbearable heat that graces us with its presence is long gone. Digging your feet into the warm sand keeps you nice and toasty but the slight breeze from the Atlantic dances through the air carrying in a crisp coolness. Some of the best beach days come in September. For live webcams visit https://www.oceancity.com/webcams/
Tournament Fishing
The excitement of The White Marlin Open has come and gone, but there are still fish out there to catch! Beginning in September several tournaments continue Ocean City’s fishing traditions. From the Labor Day White Marlin Tournament, Ocean City Fishing Center’s Spot Tournament, to the Bahia Marina’s Flounder Pounder, fish are in abundance. It doesn’t stop in September either! The Ocean City Inshore Classic and Bishop Broadbill Bash continue into the month of October. For more information on local fishing tournaments or how to get involved, check out https://fishinoc.com/tournaments/tournament-calendar/
Outdoor Seating Restaurants
Now that the mid summer heat has subsided, a table for two outside seems way more enjoyable. Restaurants such as Macky’s Bayside Bar and Grill, Blu Crabhouse & Raw Bar, Harpoon Hanna’s, and Angler Restaurant all show off the beautiful Assawoman Bay scenery and a sunset that is to die for. For more recommendations on outdoor restaurants, check out this year’s Best Of Ocean City to see this year’s winners. https://www.oceancity.com/winners-announced-in-the-11th-annual-best-of-ocean-city-contest-hosted-by-oceancity-com/
Fishing Charters
You don’t need to be a top notch fisherman to catch some large fish in Ocean City. Leave it to the charter captains to lead you to the fish. Ocean City hosts hundreds of charter fishing opportunities out of several marinas from downtown Ocean City to West OC. One popular one is All In Fishing Charters out of White Marlin Marina in downtown OC. Check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/allinfishingcharters/
Golfing
I’m not talking about putt-putt here. I mean a good 18 hole course at Eagle’s Landing in West Ocean City. With gorgeous views of Sinepuxent Bay and Assateague Island, you won’t find a more beautiful place to take in a day on the green. To book a tee time, visit https://www.eagleslandinggolf.com/?https://www.eagleslandinggolf.com/&gclid=CjwKCAjw4JWZBhApEiwAtJUN0DRNGNq4aAIM6xESKDh9GU8IuQo7NesloK_zL7iaPiCpxUoFoDmDjxoCbPgQAvD_BwE
Watersports
Winner of the best jet skiing in Ocean City goes to Odyssea Watersports located at 5003 Coastal Highway. With the water temperature still warm, in the mid 70’s, a ride on Odyessea’s jet skis sounds like a perfect addition to your September stay. If a jet ski isn’t your thing, rent a brand new pontoon boat, or a tandem kayak to enjoy the day with family and friends. To find your rental visit https://odysseawatersports.com/
Fore more information about September activities in Ocean City, visit https://www.oceancity.com/things-to-do/
A mid September walk along the Boardwalk
We will let the pictures speak for themselves, but suffice to say a walk along the Boardwalk in September is about as pleasurable as it comes. The crowds are gone, but the weather is still fine, and the scenery is beautiful, as always. Whether you walk the whole Boardwalk, or just a block or two, it clears the mind, refreshes the soul, and gives you that all around feel good feeling! If you can’t make it in person, take a look at these photos and make believe you are there.
