Ocean City businesses will gather under one roof for the fifth annual Market Madness event on March 14 and 15. The two-day shopping extravaganza offers an early sample of summer with discounts and specials on everybody’s favorite local merchandise, brands and attractions.
The event is held at the Ocean City Civic Center, just off the Boardwalk between Fifth Street and Sixth Street, with plenty of free and convenient parking adjacent to the building (access from Fifth Street). Local food trucks from Las Olas Taqueria, Jay’s Crab Shack, Philly Jawns and Ocean City Coffee Company will be on hand.
In addition to 35 vendors from Ocean City’s Boardwalk and Downtown districts, Market Madness will feature a live DJ and prize giveaways. Hours for the event are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Participating businesses include:
- 96 Shades
- Agape Gourmet
- Air Circus
- All Campus
- Ashore Fit
- Bad Kitty Kids
- Bella U
- Boba Works
- Bowfish Kids
- Fisherman’s Cove
- George’s Candies
- Goodies Gone Wild
- Heritage Surf & Sport
- Jay’s Crab Shack
- Jewelry Hut
- Jilly’s Arcade
- Jilly’s Stores
- Johnson’s Popcorn
- Kay Jay’s Doll Shoppe
- Kilwins
- LEH Soap Company
- Making Waves
- Manco & Manco Pizza
- Mia’s Christmas Gallery
- OC Waterpark
- OCNJ Entertainment
- Playland’s Castaway Cove
- Rock Star
- Seagrass Boutique
- Shirt Shack
- Stainton’s
- Surf Mall
- We Make It Personal
- White Lotus Boutique
Registration open for Doo Dah Parade on April 18
Tax season comes to a close on April 15, and Ocean City’s annual tribute to all things humorous falls on April 18 this year. The madcap Doo Dah Parade features a brigade of basset hounds but also features floats, bands and a variety of other entries. Registration is open now for anybody who would like to participate: ocnj.us/doodahparade.
The parade starts at noon, and the route covers downtown Asbury Avenue from Sixth Street to 12th Street and the Boardwalk from 12th Street back to Sixth Street.
Dietz & Watson returns as a presenting sponsor. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
Registration for two other spring events is now open:
- OC Con Comic Book and Memorabilia Show (April 11 and 12): Vendor registration and sign-ups for the Super Hero 1-Mile Run and separate Kids’ Events are open at ocnjcon.com.
- Sports Memorabilia Show (April 25 and 26): Vendor registration for the two-day event on April 25 and 26 at the Music Pier is open at ocnj.us/SportsMemorabiliaShow.
More spring events
The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Job Fair 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. March 21 at the Ocean City Music Pier.
The spring season starts with annual Easter events. The Great Egg Hunts on March 28 and April 4 will invite children to stop by participating boardwalk stores in their search for eggs and treats. The annual non-denominational Easter Sunrise Service is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. April 5 at the Music Pier. The Easter Dueling Pianos Show will be on Sunday, April 5, outside the Music Pier.
The spring calendar continues with Girls Weekend from April 10 to April 12, and the OC Con Comic Book and Memorabilia Show on April 11 and April 12 (artist registration is open at ocnjcon.com). The madcap Doo Dah Parade falls on April 18 this year and will feature the usual brigade of basset hounds
The Sports Memorabilia Show returns to a two-day event on April 25 and April 26 at the Music Pier. Stay posted for announcements about this year’s special guests. Vendor registration is open at ocnj.us/SportsMemorabiliaShow.
Martin Z. Mollusk seeks his shadow on May 1, and we’re betting that he’ll bring us another early summer. The Spring Block Party returns on May 2.
May 9 brings the Spring Cruisin’ the Boards Car Show on the Boardwalk and the Ocean City Schools Art Showcase at the Music Pier.
The Ocean City Skate Park hosts the all-girls Chica De Mayo skateboard party on May 17.
That all leads to the moment we wait for each year: the Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge. This traditional start to the summer season falls on Friday, May 22 this year.
