Ocean City will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. The ceremony will start at 12 p.m. at the Ocean City Tabernacle (550 Wesley Avenue). The event brings the community together to remember Dr. King through words, song and dance.
The ceremony will be followed by a complimentary soul food buffet luncheon at the Tabernacle.
Dr. Constance Pritchard, Sister Joelle Thren and Jennifer Shirk will be honored with Martin Luther King Community Service Awards. Each year, the awards recognize volunteer activity and service to the Ocean City community in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Among other services, Dr. Pritchard has volunteered with the English Language Learning program at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church since 2012, and she’s currently the lead instructor. Sister Joelle has served St. Damien Parish for more than 25 years and leads many intergenerational education and service programs for Ocean City residents. Jen Shirk has been a tireless volunteer with many community organizations, including the Ocean City Community Wellness Alliance, the Ocean City Free Public Library, the Ocean City Education Foundation and the Ocean City Exchange Club.
Students from grades 7 and 8 at the Ocean City Intermediate School will be honored for their winning essays on the influence of Dr. King. The Rev. Gregory Johnson will deliver Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Volunteers are invited to join others nationwide in a Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19 to honor Dr. King’s contributions. Citizens are asked to participate in a citywide cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon. Sign-up and supply distribution will take place at the Henry Knight Building, located at 12th Street and Haven Avenue. To pre-register, please email pwoc@ocnj.us.
Coming up this winter
The Winter Warrior Festival will return for its third year on Feb. 14. The event will be run out of the Ocean City Civic Center and include multiple components: an obstacle course race for children, a “Winter Warrior” obstacle course race for parents and individuals and team challenges, such as a firetruck pull. Registration is open at ocnj.us/race-events.
The Ocean City Theatre Company will present “Love Is in the Air: Broadway Love Songs Cabaret” at 2 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The show will feature select performers from OCTC’s Professional Broadway Series and student programming. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
Market Madness on March 14 and 15 will bring together all of Ocean City’s favorite stores under one roof at the Ocean City Civic Center for two days of pre-season shopping specials.
