Christmas in July, Fishing Pier Open House, Surf Fest, Concerts and More
Santa Claus will visit Ocean City on July 24 as part of the Wacky Wednesday – Christmas in July celebration at the Ocean City Music Pier. Families are invited to visit with Santa from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and enjoy the sounds of the season with Christmas Music Bingo at 11 a.m. The fun also includes a special craft. The Salvation Army will be present with the renowned Brass Band performing live music and their iconic bell ringers spreading some cheer. Wacky Wednesdays are free and run every week with different themes throughout the summer.
Santa will return to the Boardwalk on Wednesday evening for Family Night, which includes stilt walkers, magicians, favorite characters and more set up at different spots between Eighth Street and 12th Street. Santa will be available for photos at the 11th Street Pavilion. Family Nights run 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday through the summer.
Mummers Night will feature string bands strutting the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14th Street. Family Nights and Mummers Nights will run through July and August. and Mummers Nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Ocean City Fishing Club will welcome the public to tour its private 14th Street Pier twice this summer in hopes of breaking records set last year for donations to the local Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard.
The club joins a challenge made by Mayor Jay Gillian to donate non-perishable foods in memory of Regina Ralston, the manager of the Food Cupboard, who died earlier this year.
The first open house is set for Thursday, July 25, while the second will be held two weeks later on Thursday, August 8. The pier, located at 14th Street and the Boardwalk, will be open to the public from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. both evenings. Pier visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or make cash donations. The open houses coincide with the city’s Mummers Nights on the Boardwalk.
In 2023, 2,112 pier visitors brought 385 pounds of food and donated $1,924 in cash to benefit the local food agency. Each of last year’s two open houses at the pier broke previous records for donations to the Ocean City Food Cupboard.
Fishing club members will be on hand to guide visitors and answer questions about the pier and the organization. The pier extends nearly 750 feet from the Boardwalk, over the beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
“We’re glad to join the city in collecting food for the local food cupboard in memory of Regina Ralston,” said Tom Yucis, OCFC president. “We’re hoping the public will again respond generously and set new records for the amount we collect to benefit the needy.”
The Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation (CMAF) to turn its attention to Ocean City this weekend for a trio of great fundraising events.
On Friday, July 26 the fun starts with the 20th Annual Chip Miller Surf Fest. A morning of surfing brings supporters and participants together at the 7th Street Surfing. Participant skill-sets range from those who may never stand up on their board in the first place, to seasoned pros. There are no losers at Surf Fest, just a bunch of winners…and wet participants. Best of all, there are dozens of categories and awards for kids, adults, families, novices, and experts, plus a nice mix of companies on-site offering merchandise, clothing, surf gear, and even some freebies for the crowd. Surf Fest also welcomes Heart of Surfing, a non-profit organization that offers free surfing and skateboarding lessons for families with autism or other developmental disabilities. In addition, the NJ Board Riders Association will help run and judge the competition.
On Saturday, July 27, the Slide for Amyloidosis and Taste of OC take place at the at the OC Waterpark (Plymouth Place and Boardwalk). From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., participants can enjoy full water park access, followed by food samples from some of the area’s top establishments. These outlets include Bungalow Bowl, Mallon’s Sticky Buns, Sandwich Bar, Chickie’s & Pete’s, DiOrio’s Restaurant, Piccini, Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, Nauti Donuts, Randazzo’s Pizza, Hank’s Sauce, Boyars Market, Outerbanks Boil Co. and Playa Bowls. Also, a professional chef from Redfish Catering will be on site to help connect guests with a variety of tasty eats.
Pricing varies per event with pre-registration savings options available. The waterpark and taste option is capped at 400, so early registration is encouraged. Complete details on these events and the 2024 season schedule can be found at www.ChipMiller.org or via the CMAF Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AmyloidosisAwareness.
The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company’s High School Junior Company will present Cole Porter’s toe-tapping Broadway masterpiece “Anything Goes” on Friday and Saturday at the Ocean City Music Pier. Over 30 talented musical theater high school students are ready to set sail and display their talents as they perform this Tony Award-winning Broadway show. This classic musical will delight audiences of all ages at the Ocean City Music Pier on July 26 and 27 at 7:30 pm with tickets on sale at oceancitytheatrecompany.com or at the Music Pier Box Office starting 45 minutes before the show.
On Sunday, July 28, the Ocean City Pops be joined by Brandon Tomasello’s Great American Big Band. Back by popular demand from his stellar 2023 celebration of the Frank Sinatra legacy, Tomasello will bring the Great American Songbook to life. With a stunning, personal music library that features the original arrangements of Nelson Riddle, Billy May, and Sy Oliver (just to name a few), Tomasello brings an unmatched authenticity to his performances. Under the direction of Maestro Vince Lee, the Ocean City Pops will perform both as a big band and as an orchestra, making for an unforgettable evening of music. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, by calling 609-399-6111 or in-person at the Music Pier Box Office, City Hall, the Welcome Center on the Ninth Street causeway, and the 46th Street Information Center.
On Monday, July 29, the 2024 Summer Concert Series at the Ocean City Music Pier continues with 10cc: The Ultimate Greatest Hits Tour. Just announced: Robin Taylor Zander will open the show. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets available at etix.com.
On Tuesday, July 30, the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company will present a children’s theater production inspired by the New York Times best-selling author John O’Hurley’s book “The Perfect Dog.” Sam, a twelve-year-old perfectionist, searches for a flawless dog to enter in the town’s dog contest. Unable to find a canine that measures up, Sam must resort to training the family dog, Max, who is less than eager to obey commands. In the end, Sam and Max learn that there is no such thing as perfect, but there is such a thing as being perfect for each other. The show begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets available at oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
