Photo Friday Winner August 6th 2021

Anne

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August 6, 2021

Thank you for all the submissions we had for our Photo Friday Contest this week. We love receiving photos of your vacation here in Ocean City Md, and we have put together a selection of your pictures submitted this week. They show friends and family, annual visits, first visits, boat rides and fishing, boogie boards on the beach, walks on the Boardwalk, sandcastles and sunsets, little kids and big waves, arcades and rides, dinner out, special drinks, and so much more! This week’s randomly selected winner of two FREE tickets to Jolly Roger is Ginger Baltimore for this great photo of someone head over heels to be on vacation in Ocean City. Congratulations Ginger! Keep taking pictures of Ocean City, and be on the look out for next weeks Photo Friday Contest.

Ginger Baltimore – We LOVE our annual family trip to OC! ❤️ This was from this years vacation the week of July 10th! Our grandson was very excited!!!

Amber Dawn Rose-Thorne – Boardwalk lovin’!! First trip to OC for this cutie!

Robert Carbaugh – Route 50 Bridge opening for a large White Marlin Open boat to get under it, just as we entered with our boat

Evelyn Lamplugh – Sitting on the dock of the bay at The White Marlin Marina .

Elle Thompson – Our first trip to ocean city, and our kids first time seeing the ocean! We will be back in a week and a half and cannot wait!!

Ashley Mowery-Steele – Horses joining us for a beach picnic on Assateague Island.

Ruth McDuffie – My granddaughter livin her best life in OCMD!! And an action shot of the scopes guy!

William Kirk – A castle in the sand for my two angels, wife Simona and 5-year old Daddy’s girl Angelina…at the best beach town on the East Coast…OC MD!!! Two trips so far, two more to go…can’t wait to see you soon.

Lew Marion – Just got back from an awesome week in OCMD.

Lindsay Duke – Wipe out, fun in the ocean at our favorite place 75th st OCMD

Lyndsy Horvath – A nice evening walk with my little buddy.

Ashley Heilman-Kopps – First time at ocmd

Connie McAteer – My granddaughter could barely wait to get the car unloaded and she had to run into the water.

Darinda Bowman – I couldnt be more excited and proud of this picture i took on the beach of your beautiful sun rise

Christina Marie – First time riding on Assateague Adventure from Talbot Street Watersports.
Wonderful experience.

Shannon Nesslerodt Miller – My 8yr old loved practicing her gymnastics on the beach this week.

Kelly Kready – My grandson had so much fun on the boardwalk in the evenings. He loved playing at the playground on the boardwalk.

Kelsey Wolfsheimer – Enjoying this amazing view celebrating passing my board exam to become a RN!

Megan LaFon – This beach babe has visited ocean city each year of her life…and it only gets better every year. She counts down from the day we get home until the next time she gets to go back!

Michelle Agee Collett – Captured by the wave!

Cara Lynn – Great time trying a bunch of new things!

Danielle Blair – My favorite Ice Cream spot

Alicia Hennigan Guy – This was from our last trip to Ocean City. As soon as we get in town we head straight to the beach. We weren’t able to go last year because of COVID, so we are super excited to be back next week.

Brittany Lupettie – Ava 11, Dakota 14, enjoying there vacation with mom/Grammy and step dad/pappy at ocean city Maryland they had a wonderful time

Jennifer Keeney – Our first trip in 9 years! Went with a friend and her kids as well. Out of my 4 children, all pictured , it was 2 of their first times at the beach and only the second for my oldest 2. We had an amazing breakfast at The Barn before heading to the beach for the day.

Jennifer McCrory- Ambrose – De lazy lizard-summer lovin

Wright Krystal – One of my best friends and I brought our babies to Ocean City for a quick trip a couple of weeks ago. It was a fantastic time!

Deb Thoman – We brought our two precious grandkids to the beach with us & we all had a blast. They got new Boogie boards to ride the waves. They loved it!!!

Emily Pridgen – Just walking along the boardwalk on a yearly 10day visit and came across the mural. We had never seen it before and the kids both loved it

Lyndsy Horvath – Our first day of vacation and she just couldn’t wait to play in the waves

Laura Armitage Smith – Pennsylvania cousins meeting up on the boards for some OC Fun! Another girls trip coming up soon

Miriam Cruz Chorba – Best Wednesday afternoon at the beach learning to surf with the endless Summer crews.

Amanda Shotts – Our trip in June. We can’t wait to come back.

Judy Duncan – Bay side from the deck of the Atlantic Beach House Restaurant.

Tara McKinsey – Her first time ever seeing the ocean. She loved it after getting use to it

Ashley Miller – We were there July 4-11. We had a great time!

Autumn Lynn Shaw – His first time to the water park he loved it ! (He doesn’t go anywhere without his monkey lol)

Theresa Lattieri – I take a pic like this every year one of my favorites!

Amber Raye – Our daughters first time riding the rides at Trimpers!!

Laura Williams Supler – When the sun is setting, you stop what you’re doing and watch it.

Kayla Marie Harvey – Just a daddy and his girl enjoying a nice cruise on the boat with OC Swim Call

Stacey Virginia – We had an amazing time and terrific weather for our annual family vacation week, starting 7/10. Erin was barely in her chair because she was in and out of the water and sand.

Justin Thorne – You can take the boy out of WV but you can’t take the WV out of the boy!! Fishing and catching!!

Michaela Fisher – Who said a 6 month old couldn’t surf!?!? Waves were good surfing in OCMD last weekend!

Deb Maggio – My kids having a great day on the beach.

Penny Ambrose – Good morning OC! My grand babies anxiously awaiting to hit the beach from our balcony at Princess Royale.

Wendy Rodgers-Hacker – Two of my daughters enjoying their time at Ocean City this summer. We live in Alaska (husband is Army) and we came to visit family. My mother brought me to the beach here every summer growing up and now I bring my girls. They love the oceans and the board walk.

Karen Wruble – My 2 daughters on the boardwalk having a blast like every summer!!! We love OCMD

Janie Harasymtzuk Scopp – These 3 coconuts just rode the Hurricane down on the pier. One of them doesn’t like rides either!

Stacy Snedden – We had a wonderful 11 days making many family memories. before we left we had to make a stop at the local fire station. As my husband belongs to are local one back home. Just to thank them for everything they do for the community and everyone .. . They were all so nice and even gave my daughter a free fresbie.

Kelly Kready – We had an amazing time at our visit in July. Our grandson loved burying pop pop in the sand.

Courtni Flip – My daughter on the OC rocket last week. She LOVED every minute of being drenched. Her little smile says it all.

Tonya Farmer – Baja Amusements Friday… The kids love it there.

Amanda Drummond – Little besties walking the dock around cambria hotel

Jennifer Evans – We were just there last week and had the best time!!!!!! Boardwalk shopping, fries, Jolly Roger rides and trimper rides, the beach and Ferris wheel….LOVED IT!!!!

Brandi Sewell – Family trip…. the beginning of July and coming again this weekend!

Sharita Tanner – Family time during a walk on the beach !! 😍 we would love to win to have a reason to visit again soon

Tara Sol – Was at the beach all day, missed a nap and was still kickin at dinner time at fish tales! Sleepy eyes and all! But still lookin fab

Jonathan Felmey – Big winner on the boardwalk!!

Jeanetta Lynn – Family time is the best time

Jason Stark – Had a great family vacation last week!!!!OCMD never disappoints. Pic was taken at Harpoon Hannah’s.

Carey Smith – Our first mommy and daughter day trip! We started our day off with a bike ride then beach, lunch and some go kart fun!

Kaitlyn Ruhl – After just graduating high school and after a busy teaching year for my aunt, the family all needed a nice relaxing break and we all went to our favorite beach! This was our 1st day in OCMD and the sunset was just beautiful!

Tk Eutzy – July 21st on the boardwalk. Beautiful night.

Lesley Lou – We recently came in to see family and met up with the cousins on the beach on Thursday evening. Here they are waiting for the clouds to clear for a glimpse of the meteor shower. We were on 81st street and my kids had not seen the ocean since last July!

What is a Flounder’s Favorite Season? How Summer and Winter Flounder Are Different

Creature Features

Maryland Coastal Bays Program

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August 4, 2021

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What is a Flounder’s Favorite Season? How Summer and Winter Flounder Are Different

Personally, I’m a summer person. I love the warm breeze on summer evenings, long days of sunshine, and the smell of campfires. Fall people love cozy sweaters and pumpkin patches. If you’re a spring person, you may love the bright colors and watching the world come alive after the winter.

We won’t necessarily see a flounder expressing their love for snow fall or hot beach days. But there are still, indeed, summer and winter flounder, and we happen to find both in our Coastal Bays!

Before we get into the differences between summer and winter flounder, let’s talk about what flounder even are.

Summer Flounder, Photo by Liz Wist (MCBP)

In many ways, flounder are similar to what we normally think of when we think of a fish. But, one big thing stands out – they are flat! Their flat shape is an adaptation to life on the bottom of the seafloor, where they lay motionless and covered with sand. That is, until, a meal comes along. When prey gets close to a flounder, it is typically quickly snatched, which is why they are labeled “ambush predators”. Their flat body benefits them in other ways too, since it allows them to be well camouflaged from predators like sharks and eels. And while their body shape and hiding strategies are enough to make them masters of camouflage, they can also change colors to match their surrounding environments.

Flounder are also a popular fish to catch, sought out by commercial and recreational fishermen alike. They can be found in very shallow and murky waters of near-shore estuaries, as well as waters that are much, much deeper. And despite the popularity of having these flatfish fried and served for dinner at your favorite seafood restaurant, most populations have stayed relatively stable over the years.

So back to winter and summer flounder – what the heck is the difference?

Winter Flounder, Photo from NOAA species directory

At a quick glance, it doesn’t look like there is much of a difference at all. However, there are a few easy indicators to help you out. The biggest difference between the two is what side their eyes shift to when they transform from larvae into juvenile fish. The eyes of summer flounder shift to the left side of their body, while the eyes of winter flounder shift to the right.

Summer Flounder (Fluke), Photo from Commonwealth of Massachusetts

At this point you’re probably thinking, “They’re flat? How can I tell which way is which?”. When placed with their dorsal fin (the fin on the top of their body) upright, their mouth will be angled upright and their eyes will be slightly above their mouth.

There are also slight color differences between the two. Winter flounder tend to be a darker shade of brown than summer flounder, which also have ringed eyespots along the top side of their body. At least five of these eyespots will form an “X”, making the summer flounder look like the 5-side of a die. Summer flounder tend to grow larger than winter flounder, growing up to 3 feet, while winter flounder can only grow to about 2 feet. A summer flounder, in comparison to a winter flounder of the same size, will also have a much larger, toothier mouth, making them look like the older, more intimidating cousin of the winter flounder.

The blue lines mark the “X” of the eyespots on a Summer Flounder found in Maryland’s Coastal Bays. Photo by MCBP

In our Coastal Bays, it is much more common to see summer flounder, since their normal range is from Massachusetts down to North Carolina. Winter flounder are commonly found north of the Delaware Bay up to Canada, but they find their way into our bays every now and then during the winter months. It is much less common to see winter flounder in the summer months when they migrate more north or into deeper waters.

Black Back (Winter Flounder), Photo by MCBP

And, just to keep you hip with some different lingo you might hear, winter flounder are commonly referred to as black backs, while summer flounder are known as flukes or northern flounder (in contrast to the southern flounder, which reside in the southeast U.S. and Gulf of Mexico).

So if, in the future, you happen to hook a flounder or see one near shore (despite their fantastic camouflage), ask yourself: “What’s this flounder’s favorite season?”.

Author Background

Cailyn Joseph is a summer intern with the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. Cailyn works with both the science and education teams on programs such as wetland assessments, data entry, summer camp facilitation, lesson design, bird monitoring, public seining programs, and more. Cailyn graduated from Salisbury University in May 2021 with a B.A. in environmental studies and a B.S. in biology.

No-Fin Left to Lose: Sharks & Ocean City

Logan Dubel

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August 3, 2021

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No-Fin Left to Lose: Sharks & Ocean City

By Logan Dubel

The dog days of summer are in full swing, and people have enjoyed the increasingly warm ocean for the past few months. As people flock to the waters of Ocean City each year, not only do they cool off, but they also enter the habitat of creatures almost larger than life – sharks. Before this week, there had never been a recorded shark attack in Ocean City, but visitors are anxious following a recent once-in-a-lifetime incident. The shocking possible attack serves as a reminder that the time is always right to be cautious and know how to stay safe.

While vacationing at the 119th Street beach on Monday, a 12-year-old Plains Township girl faced the unthinkable when approached by what was likely a shark in just knee-deep water. Initially, she presumed she had brushed a horseshoe crab. Following the moment of impact, the young girl, who was boogie boarding, limped out of the ocean and noticed extreme bleeding. She then saw cuts up and down her leg while beachgoers and lifeguards rushed to provide first aid. Once lifeguards helped clean the wound, the family and daughter went to Atlantic General Hospital, where she received 42 stitches for 20 cuts.

An investigation conducted by the Ocean City Beach Patrol in coordination with the Department of Natural Resources found that a small sandbar shark was the likely culprit of the attack. Although experts cannot make the conclusion for certain, they are confident in their findings, as the sandbar shark is the most prevalent “big fish” in the Mid-Atlantic.

Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin reminds beachgoers that this was not the type of attack some on social media have portrayed it to be. Arbin told local media outlet Delmarva Now that the bite was accidental and the sandbar shark was surely not looking to harm the young girl. Thankfully, the incident has not kept people from enjoying the ocean throughout the week.

Still, the shark bite is historic, marking the first probable bite ever in Ocean City and just one of few in Maryland over the past several centuries.

Visitors must be vigilant when entering the ocean, even though interactions with sharks are extremely rare, especially in Maryland.

Caught on Camera

Image by Bill Fuhrer via Facebook. July 13, 2021.

Just last month, a visitor caught a shark fin on camera at 142^nd Street, garnering the attention of thousands on social media. Shortly after taking the photo, the tourist said many of the surfers and swimmers noticed the fin above the surface and quickly swam to shore. It is unclear which type of shark was swimming near the sand that day, but countless species are possibilities.

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources , sandbar, dusky, spinner, scalloped hammerhead, smooth hammerhead, tiger, sand tiger, Atlantic sharpnose, smooth dogfish, and blacktip sharks are all available near the shoreline throughout the summer and early fall. A DNR spokesperson reminds beachgoers that while sightings may occur during the summer, bites or attacks are almost nonexistent. The odds of a shark attack are just 1 in 11.5 million, as reported by the International Shark Attack File (ISAF).

How to Avoid Sharks

To avoid attracting sharks while swimming, there are a few general tips. First, never wear shiny jewelry or sequins and avoid swimming at dawn or dusk. Sharks frequently hunt in the dark and have much better awareness than humans do at those times. Additionally, try not to swim in areas with drop-offs or sand bars. Other tips include never swimming alone because sharks are more likely to approach an individual and avoiding nonstop splashing. After all, erratic movements can convince sharks that prey are nearby. Entering the water with an open wound would also be a major mistake, as sharks can sense tiny traces of blood. Finally, never swim near fishermen because they very well may be shark fishing and have bait in the water. Fishermen and marinas can chip in to safety efforts by not dumping fish carcasses into prominent swimming areas or the inlet.

Shark Safety

In the rare event that a swimmer would encounter a shark, stay calm and do not confront them. Shockingly enough, many sharks are simply curious and not interested in attacking humans unprovoked. Surely alert a lifeguard but remain calm and stay out of the shark’s way. If the situation escalates to the point of fighting back against the shark, experts recommend attacking sensitive areas such as the nose, gills, or eyes, even with your bare hands.

No matter the case, the Ocean City Beach Patrol will be ready to act in an emergency.

“We clear the water for any type of danger to swimmers. We have cleared the water when a piece of debris like a log or piling is in the surf,” said Captain Arbin. “This summer, we cleared the water around 2^nd Street because a pod of porpoise was feeding in the trough between the sandbar and the beach.”

Shark Fishing

Although the average tourist wants to steer as clear as possible from sharks, some fishermen work to attract them. Back in 2016, Ocean City faced a massive problem as sharked fishing using the methods of chumming and blood-baiting surged at the north end of town. Fishermen used extremely large baits to bring in sharks using methods other than the traditional rod and reel. Videos showed a man allegedly operating a business that allowed people to reel in sharks and pose with them on the sand.

Swift to take action, the Ocean City Council passed an emergency ordinance effectively banning this type of activity in the resort. Five years later, these activities remain illegal, and the town is working diligently to remind tourists that not only are these actions unlawful, but extremely dangerous.

Each summer, beach safety is heavily emphasized, and for good reason. However, following these tips to avoid sharks, a rare threat, helps tourists to know the facts before embracing the hysteria that often takes over the resort when shark sightings occur. Stay educated and have fun while swimming in the waters of Ocean City.

The Very Best of Ocean City!

Anne

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August 3, 2021

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We are always being asked where’s the best place for pizza, or the best Italian restaurant, or where’s there best place to rent jet ski’s. Well, now your questions have been answered! Each year, OceanCty.com asks these very questions in our annual polls, to figure out what YOU think is the Best of Ocean City. We recently announced this years results, and have spent the last week going round all the winning businesses giving them their awards. Take a look at the pictures below to meet some of the owners and employees who work very hard all summer long in the best businesses in Ocean City, according to you, then next time you have a questions about the best place to buy subs, or the best place to watch the sunset over drinks, take a look here or re-read this article to get our visitor’s opinions of the Best Of Ocean City!

Odyssea Watersports – Best Boat Rental, Runner Up Kayak Rental

Seacrets- Best Drinks, Bar Overall, Raw Bar, Sunset View, Runner Up Live Music

Original Greene Turtle – Best Sports Bar

Angler Restaurant – Best Bar Overall, and Angler Boat – Best Fishing Charter

Shenanigan’s – Runner Up Best Boardwalk Sit Down Restaurant and Boardwalk Bar

Bayside Boat Rentals – Runner Up Best Jet Ski Rental and Boat Rental

Macky’s Bayside Bar & Grill – Best Waterfront Dining

Ocean City Life Saving Station museum – Best Rainy Day Activity

48th Street Watersports – Best Kayak Rental

Hooper’s Carb House – Runner Up Best Crabs

Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli – Best Carry Out

Original Crabcake Factory – Best Crabcake

Buxy’s Say Dog- Runner up Best Sports Bar

Tequila Mockingbird – Runner Up Best Mexican

Fish Tales – Runner Up Best Bar Overall and Best Drinks

Nick’s Mini Golf – Runner Up Best Mini Golf

45th Street Tap House – Best Craft Beer Selection

Thrasher’s – Best Boardwalk French Fries

Purple Moose Saloon – Best Boardwalk Bar

OC Explorer – Runner Up Best Boat Tour and Happy Hooker – Runner Up Best Fishing Charter

Golden Plate Sub Shop – Best Boardwalk Stands

Shotti’s Point Cafe – Runner up Best Boardwalk Fries

Alaska Stand – Runner up Best Boardwalk Stand

Anthony’s Carryout – Runner up Best Subs

Liquid Assets – Runner up Best Craft Beer Selection

Old Pro Indoor Golf – Best Rainy Day Activity

For a full list of all the Best of Ocean City 2021 Winner’s, click here.

The polls are now open for next years contest, so vote here for your favorite business for 2022!

Photo Friday Winner July 30th

Anne

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July 30, 2021

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Thank you for all the submissions we had for our Photo Friday Contest this week. We love receiving photos of your vacation here in Ocean City Md, and we have put together a selection of your pictures submitted this week. They show visitors young and old enjoying Ocean City to the full. Friends, family, generations, eating ice cream, playing on the beach, walking the Boardwalk, and so much more! This week’s randomly selected winner of two FREE tickets to Jolly Roger is Natasha Conrad for this great photo of someone really enjoying their ice cream in Ocean City Md! Congratulations Natasha. Keep taking pictures of Ocean City, and be on the look out for next weeks Photo Friday Contest.

Natasha Conrad – Ice cream at Rita’s on Coastal Highway. Her face says it all!

Stephanie Ryan – We made it! We’re in town and snapped this pic by the ocean last night!

Joshua Kirsten – On the boardwalk near the new Cambria hotel- this was in between dinner at Anglers and the evening boat ride- walking off some food before jumping on the boat!

Melanie Leandri – Can take the softball player to the beach but she would rather play catch then play in the sand!

Tammy Jurkowski – Look who we found in Ocean City…

Laura Barton – My baby waiting ever so patiently to go to dinner at Coconuts. He can’t wait to be back in September!!

Sherri Lowry Leahy – Watching the Big Fish classic weigh in and was invited beyond the ropes to check it out.

Logan-Knight Denise – He loves the water. 💙ocmd

Mandy Horsman Peters – We spend every 4th of July at the beach

Pam Thornton – Was in OCMD last week with my daughter, son in law and granddaughter. It was her first full beach vacation and she absolutely is a beach baby!!

Gretchen Santa Lett – Enjoying practicing her gymnastics in the ocean! While her brother worked on his boogie boarding skills!

Amanda Creasy – Dinner at Dead Freddies!! Gorgeous view with my main man! Being a single mom and being able to make these memories with my son is everything to me!!

Sara Stoops – We just came back on Saturday and had a wonderful time! My boys miss it already and can’t wait to go back!

Lauren Lower Shutt – Hanging out by the pier on our family vacation to see our ocean city cousins!

Shannon Nicole – Family vacation❤Relaxing at sunset 48th street

Rachel Harper – My boys rinsing the sand off at ocean city boardwalk! Butt hanging out and all

Lori Meilhammer – My kids in a bumper car race, at Trimper’s Rides Thursday evening!

Moe Hckrt Rsd – Contemplating life haha. First vacation with both his girls due to work and it was a great one in OCM

Elizabeth White-Adams – Fun in the sun! Love OCMD

April Budrecki – Best part of the day! Sunset on Bayside, 94st

Kimberly Sue Valeri – First deep sea charter fishing trip. Had a blast and helped reel in these fish

Shannon Nesslerodt Miller – Last night on the boardwalk… our 1st night of 7 here.

Brittany Freeman -Sunrise on 32nd street beach Saturday morning

Nichole Rannels – Our boys 9 and 2 enjoying some time on the boardwalk

Eric Wegman – Full moon from Lenny’s at the Clarion Hotel

Heather Foreman- First time tasting sand

Ben Koontz – A little fun in the sand up on 120th street.

Kayla Rager – Ice cream on the boardwalk! Her first time at the beach ever so she was very excited and happy

Trista Kitz – First time at the beach this year in 2021 – she LOVED it

Samantha Whiteman – Celebrating my sister bachelorette weekend at Secrets. July 16

Deb Maggio – The girls having a great day on the beach.

Megan Millar Koontz – My boys won the jackpot at Marty’s Playland. They were so excited.

Ashley Janser – The love of the ocean always brings him back.

Ashley Holshue – It started as just a stroll on the beach.

Chelsea Babcock – My Younger Brother Having Fun at The Jungle Golf in OC!

Jessica Turnbaugh – Ayvah enjoying Splash Mountain last week. From open to close

Peggy Moran Kovanic – Fun at Jolly Roger Amusement Park!

Jennifer Keeney – 2 of my kids outta 4. First time either has been to the beach. First time playing in sand and having a ball. June 7th 2021. 36th street..it had been 9 years since we had been here. I was pregnant with my son on the left last time we were here. He has autism and was so extremely excited to see the beach for the first time. He kept saying over and over “Do you see the beach guys? See the beach? ” It made me almost cry

Ashley Mowery-Steele -This is my husband with our 3.5 year old twins. They were born 2 months premature, and started life out on the NICU “beach” under lights and monitors. We are so delighted to take our babies to the actual beach in one of our favorite spots!

Tina Michaels – Sunset in north side park

Clara Smith – Happy kids with their prize hermit crabs. We promised the grandkids a reward if they tried their best to be good all week.

Amy Mosher Duval – My most beautiful memories are made with my family at the OC shore

April Strasser – Our tradition every year since my daughter was 1 yr old

Megan Lowe – Our little girl enjoying her first time on the boardwalk, she loved all the games and pretty lights she was so amazed by it all

Jasmine Handshew – Best place is ocean city md!!!

Rachel Rowe Geiger – Hit the jackpot on his birthday at Game World!

Zoe Mason – Water reflection shot on my iPhone

Brian Deyette – They wanted one last trip to the beach before we left. This was last Friday night.

Jeanetta Lynn – We were at hammerheads waiting on our food & I captured this beautiful picture of my 2 girls oldest one 5yr old & youngest 3 months

Brianne Lahay – The mermaid life chose her. Taken July 24th

Jamie Lee D – Watching the sunrise with my girl

Vinny Caperna – My family has stayed at the Lankford the same week in July for 50+ years. I finally got to bring my daughter here for the first time as the next generation continues the tradition !

Taylor Myers – My girls with the mermaids at Jolly Rogers water park!!! They LOVED it!

Taylor Myers – My sons first time at the beach! He absolutely loved it!

Jessica Tillotson – My son drew a heart in the sand and blew me a kiss. All of our family just met up on 59th street on Friday to see where my sister was getting married the next day

Taylor Myers – My two daughters on our nightly walk on the beach!

Cheryl Hoffman – Stay Thirsty My Friends

Jeffrey Weinberger – All she wanted for her 7th birthday was to go to OC and ride the Ferris wheel

Katey-Shane Ferguson – With the eyes of the beholder, O.C.

Top 10 Ocean City Hotel Deals for August

Anne

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July 27, 2021

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Top 10 Ocean City Hotel Deals for August

Ocean City is often not cheap, especially in the hight of the season, so we have collected the best hotel deals for Ocean City Maryland to help you save some money!

Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel on the Boardwalk on 21st Street is a great hotel in the center of the Boardwalk, just steps to the beach. They have indoor and outdoor pools, a game room, and restaurants on site. They always have deals, packages and specials that will meet your travel needs and budget. Their Endless Summer package is available now for Sundays through Thursdays stays from August 29th-September 30th
Book between August 29th-September 9th for 25% OFF, and book between September 12th-30th for 40% off. Check out other deals at the Grand here.

Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel

The oceanfront Clarion Resort on 101st Street in North Ocean City has everything you need on site. There’s an indoor and outdoor pool, gym, restaurants and bars, and free family activities all summer long. You can always get the best price when you book directly through them, and they have a Summer Savings package available now where you can book now and save 15% on stays of three nights or more using Promotional Code : INTERNET. Other packages and deals can be found here.

Boardwalk Hotel Group

The Boardwalk Hotel Group has three hotels on the Ocean City Boardwalk, the Howard Johnson Oceanfront Plaza, the Days Inn Oceanfront, and the Howard Johnson Oceanfront Inn. All three hotels have several packages available, but their Stay, Splash and Save package is a great family package as it includes four passes to Jolly Roger’s Splash Mountain and mini golf, plus $40 in meal vouchers per day! It’s available until September 2nd on weekdays and weekends. You can see all the Boardwalk Hotel groups deals here.

Residence Inn Ocean City

The Residence Inn Ocean City is a bay front hotel on 61st. Along with beautiful sunset views, this hotel has indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center and a great outdoor grilling area and fire pit. Just a few blocks south, you’ll find Seacets, Jamaica USA, a unique bar and restaurant on the bay, and the Residence Inn Ocean City have teamed up with them to offer their “Find Us and Get Lost “(at Seacrets Jamaica USA) package which includes breakfast, Beach Sun welcome amenity, and use of one Seacrets VIP Gold Card for two!

Gateway Hotel

The Gateway Hotel is downtown on Baltimore Avenue at 1st street. This boutique hotel has an outdoor pool and easy access to the beach, Ocean City Boardwalk and Ocean City Pier. Their on-site gourmet coffee shop has organic coffees as well as bagels, muffins, pastries and waffles for early morning convenience. If you BOOK NOW you can get a 10% discount for a 1 night stay or 15% off for 2 or more nights throughout all of August! You must call the hotel direct on 443-664-4020 to get this deal.

Quality Inn Boardwalk

At the Quality Inn Boardwalk, a Harrison Group hotel, is located oceanfront on the boardwalk with two sparkling beachfront outdoor pools, and fully stocked efficiency units with kitchenettes, living and sleeping areas. Right now, you can get $100 in dining vouchers to use at their newly popular Coastal Salt Restaurant, which serves up delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner! This special offer is until October 9, 2021, and you must call 800-837-3584 to book this special offer.

Holiday Inn Oceanfront

The Holiday Inn Oceanfront on 67th Street has private balconies which overlook abundant flowers, beachfront hammocks and a great fabulous pool! There’s also an indoor pool , game room and A Touch of Italy Italian restaurant. If you call, you can save up to 28% on your stay this year. To reserve, call direct at 1800-837-3588 or 410-524-1600 and mention “Savecation” or book online here. Use the dropdown box and choose “seasons 4”.

Commander Hotel

The beautiful Commander Hotel on the Boardwalk at 14th street has Grotto Pizza & Fractured Prune on the premises as well as two swimming pools and free parking. They have several packages available, and the longer you stay, the more you can save. Save up to 15% when you stay 3 nights, stay 5 nights and save 20%, and stay 7 nights and 25% when you book directly with them here.

Aloft Ocean City

The Aloft Ocean City is on the Bay at 45th Street. The rooms are bright and airy with private balconies and fabulous views, and there’s walk-in showers with rain showerheads and personal Bliss Spa shower amenities. The hotel is pet friendly and has a great outdoor pool with bar, and regular live music. Their Stay Long And Save package allows you to get exclusive extended stay rates for stays of 5+ consecutive nights. More details are here.

Hyatt Place Ocean City/Oceanfront

At the Hyatt Place on the Ocean City Boardwalk at 16th Street, every room at boasts a partial ocean view from its private balcony and its own Cozy Corner with sofa-sleeper. If you join the World of Hyatt before you book and become a member, you can get their Member’s Rate, allowing you to save up to 10% with Member Rate on a standard or premium room.

Annual Contest Dominated by 14 Ocean City Businesses

Ann

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July 27, 2021

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Annual Contest Dominated by 14 Ocean City Businesses

FOR RELEASE ON July 27 at 2 PM

11th Year Delivers 101 winners in the 2021 Best of Ocean City® Contest

OceanCity.com, the premier and largest online destination for tourists on the shore, has announced its annual Best of Ocean City® winners for the 2021 season. Now in its 11^th year, the online voting contest engages lovers of the resort from far and wide to choose the best restaurants, bars, activities and boardwalk businesses. 14 businesses received more than one award in this online contest. 101 Ocean City businesses in total will receive prizes. These winners provide an updated guide to the must-stop businesses for the millions of tourists that visit the island each year.

This year’s voting cycle, which began on Memorial Day 2020 and continued into June 2021, garnered nearly 100,000 votes across more than 40 categories. Voting totals remained consistent with previous years, proving that people were still passionate about Ocean City, Maryland during the Covid-19 pandemic.

14 Ocean City Businesses Receive Multiple Awards

Many longtime Ocean City businesses continued their reign on the list this year. Seacrets dominates the businesses in Ocean City for 2021 by winning five total awards including the prestigious “Best Bar Overall.” They also won “Best Drinks,” “Best Place to View a Sunset,” “Best Raw Bar,” and came in second for “Best Live Music.” Fish Tales and Odyssea Watersports each claimed three prizes this year and 11 businesses took home two prizes each. An additional 87 Ocean City businesses were recognized as either a Best of Ocean City® winner or runner-up this year. For the first time, businesses such as Tarhaka Brothers Ice Cream and boat tour groups OC Bay Hopper and Sail Alyosha made appearances on the list.

For the full list of 2021 winners, click here.

“We are thrilled to have been able to continue our Best of Ocean City® contest throughout the pandemic, highlighting the greatest places and activities our town has to offer,” said Ann McGinnis Hillyer, CEO of OceanCity.com. “This is the only competition in Ocean City that has absolutely nothing to do with advertising or other schemes. These prizes are truly indicative of what our tourist base believes are the top establishments in Ocean City.”

After tallying the results, OceanCity.com reported the winners and runners-up in each category. Additionally, the staff, a team of local residents, and business owners all collaborated to pick editor’s choice winners in most categories, offering tourists yet another option in dozens of categories. In some cases, however, the winners our followers picked were simply the best without question, so a few categories do not include an editorial winner.

Each winning business, even if bestowed more than one award by the voters, will receive one metal sign and a window decal to proudly display in their establishments. The signs, sporting the brand new OceanCity.com logo, are a badge of honor, especially after the unprecedented year business owners just experienced. The tireless efforts by these businesses to not only keep their doors open and serve both the residents and tourists of Ocean City, but to go beyond the basics to win a Best of Ocean City® award have not gone unnoticed.

Keeping the fun going, OceanCity.com’s website and social media pages will soon launch a new contest, encouraging visitors to take photos with the Best of Ocean City® signs they spot around town. They will then be eligible for giveaway drawings, including free/discounted activities. Stay tuned to our digital properties for more details.

Voting for the Best of Ocean City® 2022 is already open and will continue through May 31. We thank those that voted and hope to have a record-breaking year of participation in 2022.

Click here to begin voting for the 2022 contest.

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About OceanCity.com

OceanCity.com is part of the StateVentures.com, a leader in travel websites. OceanCity.com features the most comprehensive guide to the Ocean City area and is the original publisher of the Best of Ocean City® polls and awards. It regularly features updated articles, photos and videos of topics and events Ocean City fans care about. It is the most comprehensive guide to accommodations, dining, recreation and amusements in Maryland’s favorite resort. The site brings to life Ocean City’s people and places and offers users the ability to book hotel reservations online.

The fresh content, social media pages, and business directory are immensely popular. With over 1 million annual visitors, OceanCity.com has the most engaged community. StateVentures, founded in 1999, owns and operates OceanCity.com, ShoreCraftBeer.com, Annapolis.com, Maryland.com, Virginia.com, and CoastalDelaware.com, among many others.

Contacts:

Ann McGinnis Hillyer
email: amh@maryland.com
mobile: 410-703-1970

Jellyfish Festival Set for Labor Day Weekend

News

Logan Dubel

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July 23, 2021

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Jellyfish Festival Set for Labor Day Weekend

By Logan Dubel

The Jellyfish Festival will return to Ocean City, Maryland to close out the busy tourism season over Labor Day weekend, September 4 and 5. From craft beer, live entertainment, sports, and shopping, the Jellyfish Festival promises to serve as the grand finale of the summer.

The Jellyfish Festival made its Ocean City debut in June 2019 and would have returned in 2020, but organizers were unable to work around remaining Covid-19 restrictions. Building on the success of the inaugural event, this year’s festival includes many new attractions and a stellar entertainment lineup in the hopes of drawing thousands of visitors to downtown Ocean City. Currently, the town expects an estimated audience of 20,000 people throughout the weekend.

Founded and produced by Brad Hoffman of Live Wire Media & Events, the event has the full support of the Town of Ocean City and its tourist base. The festival is located at the south end of the Boardwalk right off North Division Street and will run both days from noon until 9:30 p.m.

“It’s important to bring together music, craft beer, and beach culture for people to gravitate towards in our market and beyond,” said Hoffman. “We want to build a festival for our customers unlike anything before that allows them to enjoy an exciting weekend in Ocean City. Our interactive Jellyfish village will be lively and great for the family.”

Live entertainment for the weekend includes performances by skilled blues guitarist Anthony Gomes, the acclaimed folk musicians of the Derek Woods Band, and reggae rocker Ted Bowne of Passfire. Organizers plan to announce additional acts in the coming weeks but have already booked Ray Wroten, Never Ending Fall, Troll Tribe, Crosstown Walkers, and Rockoholics, in addition to the headliners. All of the acts will perform on stages constructed directly on the sand. Hoffman says that this is the biggest musical lineup to ever hit the beach.

Still, one name bigger than all the rest will take the stage in Ocean City over Labor Day weekend. Country star Brad Paisley will perform on Sunday, September 5, in a show promoted by Ocean City Concerts. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 30 at 10:00 a.m. online and the concert will seat 10,000 patrons.

Music is not the only feature of the Jellyfish Festival. Shore Craft Beer will host its first-ever Shore Craft Beer Fest: Beers on the Beach event on Saturday, September 4, from noon to 4 p.m. Organizers anticipate around 1,500 drinkers and craft beer fans will attend, enjoying offerings from Dogfish Head, Flying Dog, Heavy Seas, Crooked Hammock, EVO, Big Oyster, Fin City, Backshore Brewing, Tall Tales, Burley Oak and more. In total, there will be more than 25 types of beer from 12+ different local breweries. Click here to purchase Shore Craft Beer Fest tickets. General admission to the beer event is $45.

In addition to attendees of the beer festival, more than 3,000 people from the general public could stop by for domestic drinks and watch the live entertainment. You will need to reserve your free tickets to watch the shows on Saturday, however. Get them here.

Many believe that the expansion of the craft beer business is key to tourism and growth in Ocean City.

“This is the first time that people will be able to enjoy beers with their feet in the sand here in the resort,” said Ann McGinnis Hillyer, CEO of OceanCity.com, a proud sponsor of the Jellyfish festival. “We are excited to expand and make the shore a real destination for craft beer.”

In addition to craft beer, Jellyfish Festival staff will also be pouring domestic beer from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. until the conclusion of the Brad Paisley show on Sunday.

Sports will also be a prominent feature at the festival, with the debut of the East Coast Cornhole Championships, a joint venture with the Maryland Cornhole League. The contest, scheduled for Saturday, is open to professionals and amateurs with cash and other prizes available. The team entry fee is $60 and for more details, email dale@marylandcornhole.net or call 443-867-4702.

Another contest open to the public is the OC Beach Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, which allows people of all ages and skill levels to compete as either individuals or pairs on the sand. Specifics about competitions and demo sessions are forthcoming.

Other activities include riding a fat tire bike on a beach course designed by the Eastern Shore IMBA, as well as partaking in a beach fitness challenge.

Jolly Roger at the Pier during the 2019 Jellyfish Festival

Tentacle village, adjacent to the festival, will include a variety of vendors and local goods with plenty of shopping opportunities.

No matter what part of the festival appeals to you, one thing is certain – this is the biggest summer finale ever in Ocean City, Maryland.

For more information about the Jellyfish festival or sponsorships, contact Brad Hoffman at brad@live-wiremedia.com or 443-366-5944.

Free general admission tickets for the Jellyfish festival are available right here on OceanCity.com. Click here to reserve your spot. For those that do not reserve tickets in advance, they will be available on-site along the Boardwalk, but you will have to wait in line. We recommend you reserve your tickets in advance!

Downtown Ocean City Update

Logan Dubel

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July 23, 2021

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By Logan Dubel

The 2021 summer season is halfway complete, but there is still a long road ahead for businesses in downtown Ocean City. With few employees, it is not an easy time to be a downtown business owner. However, they continue to persevere and bring tourists the best service they have come to enjoy and expect during their stays in Ocean City, Maryland.

From amusements, family entertainment, and businesses, there is plenty still happening to keep tourists occupied and having fun.

Trimper’s Rides

Since 1890, Trimper’s has delighted families on the Boardwalk with its epic and thrilling attractions. Open weekdays from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends from noon to midnight, Trimper’s has more than 20 indoor and outdoor rides in operation. Passes and wristbands are available for purchase on the Boardwalk or online.

“As the longest-running family-owned amusement park in America, hospitality has long been at the heart of our establishment for over a hundred years,” said Antoinette Bruno, President of Trimper’s Rides. “We not only offer a wide variety of nostalgic rides that your grandparents rode as children, but we also get new and exciting rides every year. The rides are great and the prices are too! We offer an online-exclusive wristband deal, buy three, get one free day or nighttime.”

The park remains open this summer but has faced numerous public challenges. Making headlines across the region this year was the controversy surrounding the OC Big Wheel, a bold and bright Ferris wheel that debuted in Ocean City last summer. Scheduled for a 40-day stay, the 149-foot tall wheel went up in early June before a swift removal due to the misplacement of the ride and a resulting municipal zoning violation. The Mayor and City Council attempted to work with the Trimper’s team, but the wheel was ultimately removed. Just a week later, it returned and Trimper’s corrected the error, bringing back one of tourists’ favorite new attractions. As of this week, the ride is gone for the summer, as initially planned.

Still, Trimper’s has numerous rides to keep people busy and several upcoming events. Check out Rock-N-Ride on Sunday evenings and DJ Dance Parties on Friday nights. Trimper’s is not only in the business of amusements and has a major project in the works.

“We are so excited for the Inlet Market, OC’s first-ever open-food hall, to open! The Inlet Market will showcase grab-and-go spots, best-of local seafood, burgers, tacos, and views. Don’t miss Bandit’s Craft Beer Bar & Grill, home to classic, American cooking and a stellar selection of craft brews,” Bruno added. “We opened Sticky Fingers Dessert Bar with the best homemade fudge, chocolate-covered bacon, strawberries, bananas, blueberries, and more as well as our newest arcade, Boardwalk Games. In the coming weeks, we also hope to open a new eatery on the boardwalk — Stay tuned for more info.”

Jolly Roger at the Pier

More thrilling roller coasters are also housed at Jolly Roger at the Pier, located along the Boardwalk on South Atlantic Avenue. Better yet, there is a Giant Wheel, so tourists who missed the Big Wheel still have a chance to see breathtaking views of Ocean City from a perspective unlike any other.

Offering indoor and outdoor rides and games, Jolly Roger is a longtime favorite among visitors.

Jolly Roger at the Pier is open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 11 p.m. on weekends. To purchase passes online, click here.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Ripley’s is one of the most unique sights in Ocean City, featuring bizarre and shocking exhibits. From a mysterious museum to a marvelous mirror maze, Ripley’s, located right next to Jolly Roger, will boggle your mind.

Ripley’s is open Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Arcades

Marty’s Playland – Open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Funcade – Open Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sportland – Open Saturday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum

On the surface, a trip to Ocean City may only entail days lying in the sun and nights strolling down the Boardwalk. However, there are other sights to see, including stories of the resort’s past. No place highlights the history of the island better than the Life-Saving Station Museum, a notable landmark and a staple in the Town of Ocean City.

Located on the southernmost end of the Boardwalk, the Life-Saving Station is the only museum in the resort. With numerous exhibits and countless artifacts, the building is the perfect stop for lovers of Ocean City.

During the summer, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each day at 10 a.m., the museum offers free 30-minute outdoor programs for people of all ages about topics ranging from sharks to the history of our surfmen. Admission to the indoor museum is free for children 11 and younger, $3 for adolescents 12 to 18, veterans and seniors ages 62 or older, and $5 for adults.

The Duckaneer Pirate Ship

Ever want to go for a ride on a pirate ship? The Ocean City Duckaneer provides a “magical journey” for all ages, with face painting, eye patches, treasure hunts, and more. Tickets are $24 for those four and up and $12 for children three and under. Operated by Talbot Street Watersports, the boat is located at the Talbot Street Pier and provides an interactive pirate experience. Be ready to get wet!

OC Rocket

Talbot Street Watersports also operates the OC Rocket, a speed boat that launches across the ocean. Click here for dates and times.

Biking on the Boardwalk

There is nothing more peaceful than a morning bike ride on the Boardwalk. During the summer months, the Town of Ocean City permits bikes on the Boardwalk from 2 a.m. to noon. For those without their own bikes, there are plenty of rental shops downtown open for business.

Sunset Park Party Nights

If you are looking for live music with a picturesque backdrop, visit Sunset Park on Thursday nights for a free concert. Drinks are available for purchase, and visitors should bring chairs. Concerts begin at 7 p.m.

OC Drone Shows

This summer, Ocean City traded in many fireworks shows for drone shows, and after the events of Independence Day, that might be a good thing. Drone shows run Sunday nights at 9 p.m. in Northside Park and Thursday nights at 9:30 p.m. on North Division Street.

Coming Soon

Marlin Fest: From August 2-6, as part of the White Marlin Open, Marlin Fest will take place daily at the 3rd Street park on the bayside. The event is free of charge and will include food and beverage vendors, activities for children, live entertainment, and massive screens streaming the fishing tournament weigh-ins.

Replica Santa María Ship: Did you hear? A replica of one of three ships that set out on Christopher Columbus’ famous voyage in 1492, the Santa María, will be open for tours in Ocean City from August 12 through September 5. The ship, built in 2017, will dock between 3rd and 4th Streets. Tickets will be available on-site for those hoping to take a closer look. Tours cost $15 for adults and $6 for kids ages five to 12.

Photo Friday Winner July 23rd

Anne

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July 23, 2021

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Thank you for all the submissions we had for our Photo Friday Contest this week. We love receiving photos of your vacation here in Ocean City Md, and we have put together a selection of your pictures submitted this week. They show visitors young and old enjoying Ocean City to the full. Days on the beach, walks on the Boardwalk, playing games, taking rides, out eating, drinking, and so much more! This week’s randomly selected winner of two FREE tickets to Jolly Roger is Megan Rudolph for this great photo of kids making the daily trek with all their stuff to the beach, something probably nearly every single one of us Ocean City lovers has experienced at some point. Congratulations Megan! Keep taking pictures of Ocean City, and be on the look out for next weeks Photo Friday Contest.

Megan Rudolph – Kids trekking to the beach.

Erin Christine – When your parents don’t bring you a chair and you’re not a huge fan of the sand…

Lisa Pitera Plumley – My granddaughters first time seeing the ocean.

April Prestianni – When your Waiting for dinner at hooters and the perfect photo opportunity happens

Sherri Whipps – Buy sweatshirts on the boardwalk when the sun is going down is a must!

Amanda Haughwout – Beach friends are the best friends!!

Tangee Taylor-Wilson – We took our son to the boardwalk for the first time a few weeks ago. His eyes lit up when he saw the arcade and he found his happy place playing the Jurassic Park themed game!!!

Melissa Davis-Bewley – This was her favorite part of the day!! Ice cream and the boardwalk.

Sunny Puhl – Sunset beach on the Bayside at the Inlet. Our Granddaughter Alessandra loved exploring!.. and we loved watching her discover new things!! Simple pleasures!

Laura Skillman-Benitez – My son enjoyed his crabs at hoopers last week!

Ashley Wojtowycz Hoerr – Jumping for joy because I turned 6 in OCMD

Lani Lee Jimenez – Room with a perfect view!

Jeanetta Lynn – My beach bum 🏖 Her first time at OC. She turned 3 months while we was in OC

DeeAnna Jane – My fiancé proposing to me by the pier! We will be getting married on the beach in October!

Judy Brown – We walked on the jetty early on a Sunday morning and the waves were crashing on the rocks, looking really cool.

Michael Smith – 2nd time down in less than a month. Lovin the beach.

Kayla Marie Harvey – My husband and our daughter being silly.

Megan McFadden – Donuts for dinner, why not

Heidi Dunlap McClain – Cartwheeling through life

Kelly Michelle – Our favorite place to be! (Taken by the pier on 7/3/21)

Cathy Flight Bobby Reed – My hubby just loves being a kid

Katrina Johnson – Seeing this big smile was everything for me, same ride I rode 40 years ago!

Laura Skillman-Benitez – My youngest relaxing on the beach in oc

Tiara Mariee – Family morning on the beach

Lisa Page-Milhimes – Beautiful summer sunset

Tracy Owens – My daughter tried surfing for the first time in OC!

Teri Yuhas – At Seacrets…airshow weekend!

Rachel Griffith – Us at OC Md Sunset Grille n Bar dinner outside it was Awesome!!!!

Danielle Carter – My three little beach boys enjoying the view from the lifeguard stand!

Debbie Mills-Hutt – My baby is having a baby

Jordan Brune – Digging for sand crabs is our favorite!

Carolina Rogers – Beach hair- I don’t care! His 4th summer in OCMD

Asha Ruddy – First carousel ride by 1 horse obsessed toddler

Tracy Owens – We took this one last week outside of the lifesaving museum. So much fun!

Alyse Mac – Jumpin’ for joy because we bought our own beach place!

Nicole Bixler – Right after saying “I thought you said we were going to get wet on this ride”

Leneta Burriss – All the kids together having a blast. It’s not so easy to get all 7 in one picture

Briana Beck – From our first ever family vacation to the beach last month. It was mine and 2 of my kids first time seeing the ocean.

The Boardwalk’s Best Fries in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

admin

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July 22, 2021

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The Boardwalk’s Best Fries in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

The 2021 The Best of Ocean City® voting is closed and the winners have been announced. Ocean City’s famous boardwalk is known for its boardwalk fries. Boardwalk fries are fried crispy and served with salt and sometimes vinegar. All fries on the boardwalk are made to order and will definitely do your taste buds justice. Come down to the boardwalk try some of these restaurants that are famous for their fries!

Alaska Stand

Grab a bench and indulge in Ocean City boardwalk treats like hot dogs and burgers fresh off the grill, french fries, funnel cakes, ice cream, smoothies, and more! The oceanfront waves are amazing and people-watching is a favorite Ocean City MD Boardwalk past-time. Alaska Stand has been enjoying the breathtaking oceanfront views, and great French fries for close to 90 years. As a staple Ocean City spot along the boardwalk, they stand behind boardwalk traditions. Since 1933, they have been forming strong relationships with customers, and making great French fries!

Shotti’s Point Cafe

Shotti’s Point was proudly established by Michael Shott in December 2013. Better know as “Shotti” to his close family and friends, Mike was born and raised in Baltimore and moved to Ocean City to follow his passion for surfing. Their French fries, or Original Rhino Chasers, as they call them, are hand cut fries, with sea salt, garlic, parmesan, rosemary, thyme, balsamic drizzle and white truffle aioli. Delicious!

The Original Thrasher’s French Fries

Of course, we can’t say French fries with out saying Thrasher’s! Thrasher’s have three locations on the Boardwalk, but their most famous one is in the breezeway of the Ocean City Amusement Pier. It’s rare to pass there and not see a line of folks waiting patiently to get their Thrasher’s fries. For years, Thrasher’s have found that only the highest quality potato would suffice. This meant that potatoes had to be bought from different regions, if not states, for different times of the season. After switching owners in 1974, the new owner Charles Jenkins refused to deviate from the original recipe. Quality is still the ultimate goal and only through painful and perfectionist management techniques have the fry retained its superior taste and appearance. You can’t visit Ocean City and not try them!

And the Editor’s Choice Winner is…

Bull on the Beach

Each year, the staff of OceanCity.com and a group of locals go through each of the categories and give you an option we think deserves your consideration as The Best of Ocean City® for 2021. We think you should definitely visit Bull on the Beach if you would like to try their perfectly fried fries, seasoned to perfection.

The Boardwalk’s Best Sit-Down Restaurants in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

admin

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July 22, 2021

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The Boardwalk’s Best Sit-Down Restaurants in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

The 2021 The Best of Ocean City® voting is closed and the winners have been announced. Ocean City’s famous boardwalk has sit-down restaurants that are crowded every day due to their delicious food. Boardwalk restaurants are fun and relaxing; watching people roam the boardwalk and swim in the ocean. Also capturing the astonishing view of the ocean and the light breeze that follows it. Here are some places that the Ocean City community believes are the best sit-down restaurants on the boardwalk!

Brass Balls Saloon

Brass Balls Saloon offers breakfast in the morning as you stroll the boardwalk.We have breakfast with bodacious biscuits, lunch, and dinner with options for salads, burgers, steaks, Mexican, crab cakes, tuna, and more! We have a great happy hour and a late-night menu. Their biscuits are light and delicious and omelets are amazing! They also have delicious drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) that the whole family could enjoy. Enjoy your meal at Brass Saloon while in their comfortable umbrella booths overlooking the boardwalk and the breathtaking ocean. Brass Saloon is always jam-packed and the service always tries to accommodate you quickly. You will not be let down if you try Brass Bass Saloon you will leave full and entertained.

Shenanigan’s Irish Pub

Shenanigans is the perfect spot on the Boardwalk to sit and people watch whilst enjoying great food and drinks. Their wide variety menu will please everybody that chooses to eat there. If you choose to eat at Shenanigans make sure you try their Guinness beer.

Harrison’s Harbor Watch

Perched at the end of the Ocean City Boardwalk, and overlooking the Inlet through its spacious, window-lined interior, the Harbor Watch creates the perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience and spectacular views. Harrison’s is the only authentic Raw Bar, their menu is overflowing with the freshest local seafood. The restaurant prides itself on purchasing the highest quality of hand-tonged oysters from the waters surrounding Deal Island, MD, and the Delaware Bay. In season, fish such as Flounder, Mahi Mahi, Swordfish, and Tuna are pulled straight off the boats that dock at the Commercial Harbor in West Ocean City and served fresh the same day. During the summer, weekly trips to the Laurel Produce Market in Laurel, DE are made to hand-select crisp sweet corn, juicy beefsteak tomatoes, and some of the Eastern Shore’s sweetest watermelons. It is these delicacies that go straight into Harbor Watch’s locally famous Oyster Stew. Clams are sustainably harvested from Virginia waters and the Maryland side of the Assateague Channel.

And the Editor’s Choice Winner is…

Coastal Salt

Each year, the staff of OceanCity.com and a group of locals go through each of the categories and give you an option we think deserves your consideration as The Best of Ocean City® for 2021. We think you should definitely visit Coastal Salt if you would like to try their delicious crab cakes and their herb-roasted chicken.

The 4 Best Live Music in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

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July 22, 2021

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The 4 Best Live Music in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

The 2021 The Best of Ocean City® voting is closed and the winners have been announced. Live performances can make any place better. Enjoying great food and being serenaded by musicians is a thing of Ocean City. Here are some places that the Ocean City community believes have the best view of the sunset!

Fager’s Island

Fager’s Island is an Ocean City, Maryland landmark located in the bay on 60th Street. Fager’s Island Restaurant and Bar is an award-winning and popular destination featuring impeccably prepared American and Pacific Rim cuisine. Also, enjoy their outdoor decks and bar with live entertainment. There are live bands and DJ’s playing regularly throughout the season.

Seacrets

Seacrets, Jamaica USA is a waterfront bar, restaurant & nite club in Ocean City, MD offering Caribbean-inspired dishes, tropical specialty drinks, and live entertainment. Seacrets has regular live music and DJ’s. There are two stages, and Morley Hall, a night club with regular bands playing. Check out their live music schedule here.

The Purple Moose Saloon

The legendary Purple Moose Saloon features nightly entertainment in the summer including the best rock bands on the East Coast. When the bands aren’t jamming, the DJs are spinning the rock tunes all night long. Enjoy rockin’ bands, cold drinks, and good friends at the Moose. The Purple Moose Saloon is a perfect place to enjoy live music and delicious food while looking over Ocean City’s breathtaking boardwalk.

And the Editor’s Choice Winner is…

M.R. Ducks

Each year, the staff of OceanCity.com and a group of locals go through each of the categories and give you an option we think deserves your consideration as The Best of Ocean City® for 2021. We think you should definitely give M.R. Ducks if you would like to experience amazing live bands performing right next to the bay.

Christmas in July: Jolly Roger Gives Back to the Local Community

Logan Dubel

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July 20, 2021

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Christmas in July: Jolly Roger Gives Back to the Local Community

By Logan Dubel

The weather outside is delightful, and we have plenty of places to go, but it is never too early to start planning for the glorious holiday season. Ocean City’s very own Jolly Roger amusement parks are already gearing up for the holidays, with their annual Christmas in July event set for this weekend. While many revere the countless gifts they receive each year, not everyone is so fortunate. Highlighting the true generosity of the local community, the upcoming summer event aims to ensure that no child on the Eastern Shore is left without a present to open in December.

Started by Jolly Roger in 2017, Christmas in July is a joint venture between the Marine Corps Reserve, serving underprivileged children in Worcester, Wicomico, and lower Sussex counties. The event acts as a local agent for the well-known and trusted Toys for Tots organization.

On Saturday, July 24th, and Sunday, July 25th, dubbed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Jolly Roger will have donation stations open at both their Pier and 30th Street locations. The Marine Corps Reserves will be on-site and ready to collect new and unwrapped toys. Besides any items that resemble weapons, all donations are welcome. Community volunteers and local agencies will then store and sort the toys before distribution in December.

While the event may make it seem like the holiday season is already upon us, the incentive for donating will bring patrons right back into the summer groove. By donating just $20 to Toys for Tots, people will receive a 20% discount on any Jolly Roger park passes, valid for July 24^th through 27^th.

After donating, stop for a family photo with Santa Claus, who will be at the Pier on Saturday from noon to 3:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Santa will also make appearances at 30^th Street on Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 3:00 p.m. Other special festivities include a ceremony on Sunday morning beginning at 9:30 a.m., featuring the U.S. Marine Corps, Color Guard, and Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. A flag-raising ceremony and playing of the national anthem will also be part of the ceremony. After, the Ocean City Jeep Club will arrive with their donations.

At the Boardwalk location, Jolly Roger will have characters Armondo and Marcello from its circus act as well as Dastardly Dave the Pirate and Lollipop the Clown. Special holiday-themed performances of Circus Smile will run at 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on both days at 30^th Street. Click here for a full schedule of events.

“We want to serve children in need from the cradle all the way into their early teens,” said Bob Broderick, who organizes the local event with the 1st State Detachment Marine Corps League. “This is the perfect way to kick off our donation season, and all the tourists in Ocean City are just so generous. Toys for Tots is a recognized brand, and people feel compelled to contribute.”

The initiative has garnered attention and success in the past, receiving more than 6,000 toys for 3,700 kids in 2020, even amidst the pandemic. Although organizers canceled Christmas in July last summer, their work continued to bring smiles to children in need, as Toys for Tots has done every year since 1947. Christmas in July is proof that even in a packed and bustling resort town, there is always room for kindness and compassion.

Photo Friday Winner July 16th, 2021

News

Anne

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July 16, 2021

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Thank you for all the submissions we had for our Photo Friday Contest this week. We love receiving photos of your vacation here in Ocean City Md, and we have put together a selection of your pictures submitted this week. They show family and friends enjoying the bonfires on the beach, winning prize on the Boardwalk, the young and the old, boat rides, jet ski rides, amusement rides, pizza and ice cream, and lots of happy, smiling faces! This week’s randomly selected winner of 2 FREE tickets to Jolly Roger is David Slair for this great photo of two young best friends enjoying an evening on the Boardwalk. Congratulations David! Keep taking pictures of Ocean City, and be on the look out for next weeks Photo Friday Contest.

David Slair – Two besties living the life at the boardwalk. First timer on the left and second time for my daughter.

Megan Curry – Our crew riding the coaster 3 weeks ago on the boardwalk!

Sharita Tanner – When you win on one of the hardest games on the boardwalk !! Woohoo! Makes for a great day

Alandra Santos – Having the best time in OC currently!!

April Strasser – Twinning it up in OC 2021 vacation

Laci Rice Marsh – My sons first time go carting at speed world, can’t wait to go again! He talks about it all the time, this made our trip so memorial as this was something his father and I love to do and now we can do it together as a family.

Leneta Burriss – Morning walk. Turned around and just had to snap a picture.

Amanda Bailey – Our first bonfire on the beach!

Gretchen Zerbe – Just a little snack on the beach!!! Yummy!!

Lori Carpenter Flynn – Living his best life!

Scott Fry – Ariella and Abigail at Baja Amusements 2 weeks ago

Robert Lidke – You are NEVER too old to play in the sand.

Angela Locke – We love getting pictures with the statues on the beach. Always great to compare them to years past.

Alexa South – Fun times as always July 10th

Alexis Vakoutis – Last picture these friends had together was 2010.

Melanie Schleiniger – Logan’s first time holding a sand crab! She loved it and it was safely returned into the ocean

Jamie Hackman-Vital – She said she wanted to ride it just got back a month ago and ready to come back again. Up up and away !

Catherine Zeta Scarn – the family at seacrets

Sharita Tanner – Have to get a picture in the big chair on the beach . My kids enjoyed their trip to OC as always !

Lauren Pascoe Kayrish -Taking in that morning sun!

Jennifer LG – Last week before the storm came through. Sand, surf, sun, FUN!

Chelsea Reed – My youngest (on the left) first time on the beach with her big sissy!! Love these kind of memories ❤️ can’t wait to go back!!!

Kristen Miller Burkhardt – Long distance cousins
that get together in OC every year! Even if we are traveling back and forth to Waldorf for a state softball tournament, we will find time to spend with family!!!

Joni Coken – My granddaughter Aubrey having a great time as Moana on the beach

Pipilotta Longstocking
Beautiful Sunset at Jolly Roger. Their favorite place since they were babies

Charity Youngblood – My husband having his morning coffee.

Nichole Rannels – @the Holiday Inn Ocean City and suites 17th street in June!

Leandra Summerlin – My husband on a fishing trip, the angler in ocean city. He won the biggest fish on his trip

Heather Reath – Cousins approaching the “boards” on Wicomico Street!!

Jennifer Millett – Can’t beat Thrashers and Skee Ball. We always have a blast in OC.

Jamie Snyder – Rainy day called for some bikes on the boardwalk and this little guy was just obsessed with the “HUGE” shark

The 4 Best Places To View The Sunset in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

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July 15, 2021

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The 4 Best Places To View The Sunset in the Ocean City, Maryland Area 2021

The 2021 The Best of Ocean City® voting is closed and the winners have been announced. If it’s one thing Ocean City has is the most beautiful sunsets. Watching the sunset and the elegant reflection the bay gives off is exquisite. Here are some places that the Ocean City community believes have the best view of the sunset!

Seacrets

Seacrets, Jamaica USA is a waterfront bar, restaurant & nite club in Ocean City, MD offering Caribbean-inspired dishes, tropical specialty drinks and live entertainment. No reservations, seating is first come, first serve. It’s the perfect spot to sit back and watch the sun go down over the bay at the end of a fun packed day in Ocean City.

Ropewalk

The Ropewalk has family-friendly lunch, dinner, and sunsets from the bayfront deck, or one of the fire pit tables in the sand. Ropewalk prides itself on providing the freshest ingredients, in a comfortable setting, with extraordinary service. Great place for kids to play during the day, and a beautiful spot to watch the sunset over the Assateague Bay while enjoying a delicious meal in the evening.

Fager’s Island

Fager’s Island is an Ocean City, Maryland landmark located in the bay on 60th Street. Enjoy American & regional dining with a global influence in their bayfront restaurant or on their casual waterfront decks. As the sun sets, guests wait with anticipation for the 1812 Overture to be played, climaxing as the sun disappears below the horizon, and the streamers make an appearance while everyone applauds! The sun has done it again!

And the Editor’s Choice Winner is…

Seacrets

Each year, the staff of OceanCity.com and a group of locals go through each of the categories and give you an option we think deserves your consideration as The Best of Ocean City® for 2021. We think you should definitely give Seacrets a try if you would like to experience an eye-capturing view of the sunset.

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And the Editor’s Choice Winner is…

And the Editor’s Choice Winner is…

And the Editor’s Choice Winner is…

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