The days are getting shorter with the arrival of fall, but there’s plenty of great weather left to enjoy a full calendar of family events in October. From the Fall Block Party all the way through to Halloween, there’s a little bit of fun for everyone.
Here are a few of the highlights:
Boardwalk & Downtown Merchant “Discount Days” (Oct. 4-5): 6th Street to 14th Street on the Boardwalk and Asbury Ave.
Ocean City Fire Department Open House (Oct. 9): OCFD hosts their annual open house for Fire Prevention Week at the OCFD headquarters at 550 Asbury Avenue, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Rain date October 10.
“Ring of Fire” (Oct. 10-12): A multi-talented cast performs the music of Johnny Cash in this Ocean City Theatre Company production. 7 p.m. October 10 and 11, 2 p.m. October 12 at the Music Pier. All tickets $20. Tickets available at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
Fall Block Party and Drone Show (Oct. 11): Ocean City’s Fall Block Party will return from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, with hundreds of craft and food vendors, and entertainers lining Asbury Avenue from Fifth Street to 14th Street. This year a new drone show will cap off a day of family fun at 8 p.m. that evening. Watch as hundreds of drones in the sky create dazzling images synchronized to music over the beach and Boardwalk. Best viewing will be south of Sixth Street. The Fall Block Party is one of Ocean City’s most popular events of the year, and the new show will give families a chance to extend the fun. Parking will be free at all municipal lots and metered spaces in the city.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of OCNJ (Oct. 12): Join over 5,000 walkers for the 18th annual OCNJ Making Strides – a celebration of courage and hope to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone. Learn more at www.MakingStridesWalk.org/OceanCityNJ. Walk starts at 10 a.m. at the Civic Center.
Spooks N’ Kooks Costume Surf Contest (Oct. 12): Open groms, open adults, tandem, sign in at 10 a.m. on 7th Street Beach. Entry Fee: $20 gift card to ShopRite or ACME, all proceeds benefit the Ocean City Food Cupboard. No wave date: October 13.
Porsche Boardwalk Reunion (Oct. 18): Porsches will be displayed from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Boardwalk from 6th Street to 14th Street.
“Hadestown” (Oct. 18-19): Presented by the OCTC Junior Company, this intriguing and beautiful folk opera delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience. October 18 at 7:30 p.m. and October 19 at 2 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets available at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
John R. Elliott HERO Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run (Oct. 19): Register today at www.herowalkrun.org.
Dog Days (Oct. 25-26): Leashed dogs will be permitted on the boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. All are welcome and encouraged to bring their favorite furry canine friend. Activities for Saturday include dog-specific vendors along the boardwalk, photo-op stations on the boardwalk, and the Humane Society of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year” announcement.
HSOC “Howl-O-Ween” Parade (Oct. 25): Hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City. Contestants are encouraged to dress themselves and their pooch in zany, fun Halloween costumes in the spirit of the season. Registration begins at 2 p.m. at the Sports & Civic Center. The parade begins at 3 p.m. and the procession is from 6th to 14th Street on the Boardwalk. This year’s grand marshals include former Philadelphia Phillie Milt Thompson and FOX 29 news anchor Dawn Timmeney.
Halloween Costume Skate (Oct. 25): The Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue will celebrate Halloween 4 p.m. to dusk. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants.
OC Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Welcome Night (Oct. 29): 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center. Meet OC groups, businesses & organizations. Free event.
Halloween Parade (Oct. 30): 7:15 p.m. on Asbury Ave. from 6th – 11th Street. Sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club. For more information, visit ochp.blogspot.com.
