Two major events this weekend will help kick off a full schedule of family fun for Ocean City in 2023.
A Super Hero Run, Cosplay Contest and Lightsaber Training will be just a few of the highlights of OC-CON 2023 on Saturday and Sunday (March 25-26) at the Ocean City Music Pier. OC-Con features meet-the-artist sessions, discussion panels, costume contests, and the display and sale of comic books and memorabilia. Show hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (March 25), and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday (March 26).
Reigning Miss New Jersey Augostina Mallous will emcee the Fashion Show that opens Girls Weekend on March 24, and the celebration will continue through Sunday, March 26 with shopping and dining specials, accommodations packages, wellness classes, craft projects and more at various locations throughout Ocean City’s downtown.
Now in its seventh year, the OC-CON FESTIVAL returns to the Music Pier (Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace) on Saturday and Sunday. General admission to the show is free, and free parking will be available at municipal lots adjacent to the Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace, Eighth Street and Ninth Street.
OC-CON will give kids an opportunity to meet Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, create their own lightsabers, find their way through an inflatable maze, and get made over with “faerie hair.” Featured artists include Tony DiGerolamo (“The Simpsons” and “Bart Simpson” comic books), Bob Petrecca (Marvel Comics), Luke Petrecca (Upper Deck and the Dear Hunter), Neil Vokes (American Mythology Comics), Corey Sosner, Christian Espiritusanto, Steven Farkas, Brian DuBois, Niko Lopez, Momo, Galica Graphics and Jude Martys.
Another highlight is the annual 1-mile “Super Hero Run” on the Boardwalk (9 a.m. Saturday) and “Super Hero Obstacle Dash” (10 a.m. Saturday). Sign up for either or both events at the Ocean City Civic Center (Sixth Street and Boardwalk) starting at 8 a.m. Saturday. Pre-registration is available online at ocnj.us/OCCONSUPERHERORUNDASH.
The weekend also features two performances by the Ocean City Pops Orchestra playing themed music on Saturday and the Saber Guild Zeffo Temple will conduct lightsaber training for young show attendees on Saturday and Sunday. The Cosplay Contest will cap off the event on Sunday at 3 p.m.
The event schedule is as follows:
Saturday, March 25 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
· 8 a.m.-8:45 a.m.: Check-In & Day of Registration for Run (Civic Center)
· 9 a.m.: Super Hero Run (Civic Center)
· 10 a.m.: Super Hero Obstacle Dash (Civic Center)
· 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: Anime Mad Libs
· 12 p.m.-12:45 p.m.: Live music by the Ocean City Pops
· 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: Saber Guild: Zeffo Temple Demo
· 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.: Live Music by The OC POPS
· 3-3:45 p.m.: Saber Guild: Zeffo Temple Demo
Sunday, March 26 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
· 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Fandom Trivia with John Wallace
· 1 p.m.-2 p.m.: Saber Guild: Zeffo Temple Demo
· 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.: Fandom Trivia with John Wallace
· 3-3:45 p.m.: Cosplay Contest (registration at the library table throughout the weekend)
Both Days
· Free face painting
· Get your picture taken at the photo booth
· Meet Optimus Prime and Bumblebee
· Get your hair decorated with Faerie Hair (Bowfish Braid Co.)
· Meet the 501st Legion: Northeast Remnant Garrison and Saber Guild: Zeffo Temple
· Craft table: Create your own “lightsaber”
· Come see the “Back to the Future” DeLorean
Visit www.ocnjcon.com for complete information on all artists and scheduled events for OC-CON. The event is sponsored by the Ocean City Free Public Library and the City of Ocean City.
The Downtown Ocean City Girls Weekend Fashion Show will return to its new location, the Ocean City Yacht Club (100 Bay Road), on Friday, March 24, 2023, and tickets are on sale now.
The annual event features the latest spring and summer clothing lines for sale in Ocean City’s retail shops and modeled by local men and women. It includes light fare and refreshments catered by Ocean City restaurants. The Fashion Show kicks off a long weekend of shopping, dining and class activities that highlight all that Downtown Ocean City has to offer.
Reigning Miss New Jersey Augostina Mallous will be emcee for the show. Mallous, 20, of Cape May Court House, currently attends Hofstra University, where she majors in journalism and minors in dance.
She began performing at age three when her mother signed her up for dance classes, and she danced competitively for 14 years on Jersey Cape Dance’s Competition Team. Growing up and working in her family’s diner, she learned the value of hospitality and service at a young age.
Girls Weekend features hotel and bed-and-breakfast packages, dining offers, shopping discounts, prizes, yoga and wellness classes, craft projects and demonstrations at various locations throughout Ocean City. Look for updates and announcements about activities and participating businesses by visiting the Facebook event page or calling 609-399-1412.
Tickets for the Fashion Show are $35 each and available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice. Capacity is limited, and as of Monday (March 20) tickets were nearly sold out, so don’t wait to make your purchase.
THE WAILERS JOIN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Ocean City announced Monday that the Wailers will be part of the 30th anniversary season of the Music Pier Summer Concert Series with a show at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 31. Tickets for the show go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday (March 23) with special presale on Wednesday.
The Wailers are part of the legacy of reggae legend Bob Marley’s band and perform his timeless classics.
The show is presented by the City of Ocean City and the series is co-produced by BRE Presents and Rose Productions. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 23. A special presale (use code BRE) will take place 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 22.
ALSO COMING UP IN APRIL
April 1 – The Great Egg Hunt: The traditional event returns to the boardwalk again this year. Participating merchants will invite children up to age 7 to visit stores with their families to collect eggs filled with treats and surprises. The event will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. or while supplies last. Flyers will direct families to participating stores. Rain date is April 2.
April 8 – The Great Egg Hunt: The second of two Great Egg Hunts will take place on the boardwalk. Participating merchants will invite children up to age 7 to visit stores with their families to collect eggs filled with treats and surprises. The event will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. or while supplies last. Flyers will direct families to participating stores. Rain date is April 9.
April 9 – Easter Sunrise Service: A traditional non-denominational service by the sea. All are welcome. 6:30 a.m. at the Music Pier.
April 9 – Dueling Pianos Show: The Philly Keys will be performing their hit dueling pianos show starting at noon in front of the Ocean City Music Pier. Free fun for the entire family. The Philly Keys will take a break for our annual Easter Fashion Stroll.
April 9 – Easter Fashion Stroll: Come dressed in your Easter’s best for our Fashion Stroll and meet the Easter Bunny at the Ocean City Music Pier. Judging begins at 1 p.m. Prizes awarded for Best Dressed Children, Teen, Adults and Family.
April 15 – Doo Dah Parade: Welcome spring with this comedy parade, complete with more than 300 basset hounds. Phillies great Mickey Morandini will be this year’s grand marshal and will be available for autographs and photographs after the parade. The parade starts at noon on Asbury Avenue at Sixth Street. The route travels Asbury Avenue to 12th Street, then turns up to the Boardwalk and finishes at Sixth Street. Dietz & Watson returns as the event sponsor.
April 29 – Sports Memorabilia Show: Vendors with merchandise and items representing a variety of sports and teams will be for sale at the show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.
