The MISS NEW JERSEY PAGEANT returns to Ocean City this week. So do an army of Jeeps and a giant fireworks display. The Pageant is set for June 12th to 14th with a Boardwalk Parade on Wed., June 11. All events begin at 7 p.m. The annual Parade features all 24 contestants showing their shoes and dressed in colorful costumes. There will be music, marching units and other features in the popular event. Preliminaries will be held June 12-13 with the finals set for Sat., June 14, at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. All programs start at 7 p.m. The winner will represent the State at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City. Ocean City will be represented by former Miss Ocean City, Devon Vanderslice and Sarah Ford, former Little Miss and... Read More

Members of  The ARTISANS Order of Mutual Protection will visit Ocean City June 6 through 8 for the 69th time.  On Sat., June 7th, they will hold the annual Miss Artisan Pageant to select a young lady to represent the organization for the coming year. The free program starts 8 p.m. at the Music Pier, Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace and is open to the public. It will feature unusual entertainment. A group of professional circus clowns will provide an amusing interlude during the evening. The Artisans will be led by Most Excellent Master Artisan, Theresa Ludwig, who will be presented a “Key to the City” during the evening. Mrs. Ludwig’s father, Gene Geary, was MEMA 30 years ago and recently swore her into office. The Artisans have been very supportive of Ocean City... Read More

REMINDER: The City’s 42nd Annual Flower Show is set for this weekend, May 30 through June 1 at the Music Pier. This show is a treat to see whether you’re a “green thumber” or just enjoy colorful, imaginative displays. Theme for Artistic Design is “O for a Book and a Shady Nook” with displays capturing the titles of such classics as Treasure Island and The Jungle Book. There will also be a huge exhibit of Horticultural favorites such as roses, orchids, African Violets, etc. Flower Show hours are 2 to 9 p.m. on May 30, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 31 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sun., June 1. Admission to the Flower Show is free. Visitors are encouraged to leave a voluntary donation to support the show. Flower... Read More

Following are this weekend’s events by date: (May 23) At noon, Mayor Gillian, City officials and lifeguards will turn a King Sized Key in the sand to officially open the Ocean. This takes place on the Moorlyn Terrace Beach, opposite the Music Pier. Following this ceremony, the Ocean City High School Band gathers by the Pier to play an inspirational rendition of Pomp and Circumstance. Then comes the impressive parade known as the “Business Person’s Plunge.”  Several hundred enthusiastic revelers, some dressed in business attire toting briefcases, others in unusual or goofy costumes, plod into the Ocean led by irrepressible event organizer, John Walton. It’s their way of welcoming the vacation season and visitors back to Ocean City. The BP plunge is probably the only event of its kind in the country. Take... Read More

The Memorial Day Weekend has become a joyous recognition that the sunny season is returning. But more importantly, it is also a somber time, as we pause to recognize those who have given their lives in defense of our country. Ocean City’s annual Memorial Day Service will be held 11 a.m. on Mon., May 26 at Veterans Memorial Park, 5th and Wesley Ave. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved across the street to the Tabernacle Auditorium. Also on May 26 at 9:15 a.m., Ocean City Lifeguards will row out in the waters opposite the Music Pier off the Moorlyn Terrace Beach and place a wreath to honor and remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives so that we can live free. Weekend activities begin... Read More

Ocean City has a diverse array of musical programs set for the Music Pier: The multi talented Eddie Shiffler will star in a Rock Concert featuring some of the best, new talent on the East Coast at the Music Pier on Friday, May 9. A native of Ocean City, Shiffler is a singer, songwriter, musician whose new band, “Green Language,” will introduce its first album, “Of the Birds” during the show. The concert is set from 6 to 10:30 p.m. in the Pier Auditorium, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. The album will feature all new sound tracks written by Shiffler whose musical career spans 18 years with concerts in New York and throughout the country. Green Language will play all the tracks on the new album during the concert. Of the Birds will... Read More

Ocean City’s “Mile-Long” Spring Block Party offers fun, food, entertainment, over 350 talented crafters, plus shopping specialties from 100 Asbury Ave. stores. The popular Festival is set for Sat., May 3rd   from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It extends from 5th to 14th Streets in the downtown and is produced by the Downtown Merchants Association. The event began over 30 years ago. It first covered only two City blocks. It quickly gained notoriety and soon extended through the entire, downtown commercial area. One of its first features was a Greek Food Festival that will be back for the 30th time this year. It is located at the corner of 9th and Asbury Ave. and features Gyros, Spinach Pie, sweets and other specialties. It raises funds for the Holy Trinity Church of Egg... Read More

On a cool, windy March day in 1974, Martin Z. Mollusk, Ocean City’s relatively famous hermit crab, made his first, and what turned out to be an historic creep, onto the 9th St. Beach. Martin was fulfilling a life long dream to be recognized as a legitimate weather forecaster. An orphan, Martin was abandoned along the Great, Gray Zambesi River in Africa. It was here that he passed the time studying the clouds, wind currents etc. and taught himself to forecast the weather with extreme accuracy. After numerous trials and tribulations, Martin was able stow away on a flight to Tepid Swamp, Louisiana, a Mecca for hermit crabs and home of Tepid Tech, the world’s only University for Crustaceans. Here he obtained a Doctorate in Climatology and met his future wife, the... Read More

(April 17, April 18) “The Living Last Supper,” a portrayal of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, will be presented at the Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave., at  7 p.m. both days. The unique programs are sponsored by the Tabernacle and St. Peter’s United Methodist Church. The audience is invited to watch the portrayal as each disciple emerges from the portrait and speaks. Cast includes members of Ocean City and area churches. (April 19) The Woofin’ Paws Pet Fashion Show, starts 11 a.m. at Carey Stadium, 6th St. off Boardwalk. Registration begins 10 am. This event is a competition for any “pet that will not eat another pet.” It is overwhelmingly patronized by dogs but cats, rabbits, ferrets, bunnies, Guinea Pigs, and white mice have also been known to compete. Categories include Best... Read More