The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company and the Ocean City Pops Orchestra will team up to present the musical “Footloose” with eight performances scheduled from Tuesday, Aug. 5 to Thursday, Aug. 14 at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center in Ocean City (within Ocean City High School at Sixth Street and Atlantic Avenue).
“Footloose” was a groundbreaking film released in 1984. Starring a relatively unknown Kevin Bacon, the film popularized dancing like never before. Its unforgettable soundtrack, featuring artists such as Kenny Loggins, Bonnie Tyler and Sammy Hagar, perfectly complemented the expressive and emotional dance scenes. Now, “Footloose” has made the transition from film to Broadway stage and is currently playing at the Hughes Performing Arts Center, presented by the City of Ocean City, the Ocean City Theatre Company and the Ocean City Pops Orchestra.
Set to the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar- and Tony-nominated Top 40 score and enhanced with dynamic new songs, “Footloose” celebrates the importance of listening to young people while guiding them with warmth and an open mind. This production promises to be a highlight of the summer season that you will not want to miss.
Directed by Morgan D’Alessio, with music direction by Jonathan Kreamer and choreography by Hannah Catanoso, this production brings the cinematic and Broadway hit “Footloose” to life with a talented, high-energy and professional cast. The musical was adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. The music and lyrics are credited to Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford. “Footloose, the Musical” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
The show runs on Aug. 5, 6, 8, 12, 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and on Aug. 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. For tickets ($27 to $32), visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by the Music Pier Box Office.
Second 14th Street Pier Open House set for Thursday, fishing tournament for Saturday
Visitors set new for attendance, food and money donated to benefit the local Food Cupboard during the Ocean City Fishing Club’s first Open House at the Pier on July 24.
By the end of the two-hour open house, 1,750 people filled barrels with 290 pounds of non-perishable food and stuffed $2,433 into a huge jar, all headed to the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard.
“I can’t help but feel a sense of pride in a community that steps up to help those less fortunate,” OCFC President Augie Conte III said. “Even in towns like ours — shore towns with so many summer residents and visitors — there are still people who need help to put food on the table. We’re glad to host these open houses to help stock the food cupboard.”
The club will host a second Open House at the Pier 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, with the following day as a rain date, if needed. Visitors again are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or make cash donations to help feed the needy. The open houses coincide with the city’s Thursday evening Mummers Night on the Boardwalk.
At each open house, OCFC volunteers station themselves at various locations on the pier to answer questions and to help take photos for visitors with the Atlantic Ocean and Boardwalk as scenic backdrops.
The OCFC, a private fishing club, has a strong commitment to community involvement through programs that include the annual Boys and Girls Youth fishing tournament, which is scheduled for August 9.
Any youth from age 8 to 16 can enter the tournament for free – with sign-ups (parent signature required) beginning at 9 a.m. on the beach at the north end of Ocean City near the Ocean City-Longport Bridge. All participants receive a prize.
More family fun and music all week
From Wacky Wednesday on Aug. 6 through the Pamper Scamper on Tuesday, Aug. 12, there is plenty of family fun.
Wednesday (Aug. 6) brings Wacky Wednesday with families invited to join the free event at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. This week’s theme is a Prince and Princess Party. Use your creativity to design our own prince or princess crown.
The popular weekly Farmers Market on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle is open 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Wednesday. The market features the best of fresh produce from local farms in the region, along with a variety of craft vendors. Family Nights on Mondays and Wednesdays include stilt walkers, magicians, favorite characters and more set up at different spots between Eighth Street and 12th Street on the Ocean City Boardwalk. The annual Twins Contest on Wednesday will award prizes to those who look the most and least alike. Open to all ages. Registration is free and begins at 5:30 p.m. The contest begins at 6 p.m. in front of the Ocean City Music Pier.
Thursday (Aug. 7) starts with a Sand Sculpting Contest open to kids, teens, adults and families. Registration is free and begins at 9 a.m. at the Sixth Street Beach. Judging takes place by 11 a.m.Mummers Nights feature string bands strutting the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14th Street from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday through the summer. Downtown Asbury Avenue will feature entertainment, face-painters, balloon sculptors and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through the summer.
Saturday (Aug. 9) features the annual Miss Ocean City Pageant with 2025 Miss Ocean City Taylor Mulford on hand to crown her successor, as contestants compete in interview, talent, swimsuit, evening gown and onstage question at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. The public is invited to attend to watch young leaders compete for the title. Miss Ocean City represents the city at events throughout the year, and all proceeds from the event benefit local scholarships. Tickets ($20) are available at the Music Pier Box Office, online at www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by phone at 609-399-6111.
On Sunday (Aug. 10), the Ocean City Pops Orchestra will perform “Love, Scandal and Intrigue: Opera Night” at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Many decades before Hollywood directors were spinning tales of love and death on the Silver Screen, the original masters of drama, Puccini, Verdi and Mozart, had perfected those stories on the grand opera stage. Featured operas include “La Bohème,” “Turandot,” “The Marriage of Figaro,” “La Traviata” and much more. Tickets ($20) are available at the Music Pier Box Office, online at www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by phone at 609-399-6111.
On Monday (Aug. 11), the Boardwalk Summer Concert Series will feature Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets available at etix.com.
Tuesday (Aug. 12) features the annual Pamper Scamper baby-crawling race. Registration is free and begins at 8:30 a.m. The contest begins at 9 a.m. at the Sixth Street Beach. For babies up to 15 months.
Registration open for 115th annual Baby Parade
The 115th annual Baby Parade in Ocean City is set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 and registration is now open.
All families with children ages 10 and under are invited to participate. Bands, performing groups and commercial floats are also encouraged to join in the fun.
Complete information and registration parade are available at ocnj.us/BabyParade.
