Classic cars and aerobatic planes will invade Ocean City from the ground and sky over the next three weekends as the resort kicks off its “second season” in September.
The 40th annual Shore Street Rod Run will be in Ocean City from Sept. 5 to Sept. 7. The annual Air Festival at the Ocean City Municipal Airport is set for Saturday, Sept. 13. The Ocean City Aerobatic Air Show flies over the beach and boardwalk on Sunday, Sept. 14. And the Boardwalk Corvette Show rolls into town on Sunday, Sept. 21.
SHORE ROD RUN
More than 150 street rods will be in Ocean City Sept. 5 to 7. An array of colorful vehicles from throughout the East Coast will be displayed on the Boardwalk and at the Tabernacle Grounds (Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue) during the 40th annual Shore Rod Run.
Cars will be parked at the Tabernacle from noon Friday (Sept. 5) to 1 p.m. Sunday (Sept.7). There will be a boardwalk display of the vehicles on Saturday (Sept. 6) from noon to 4 p.m.
A street rod is an older vehicle that’s been modified with more modern parts. Owners are creative about how they enhance their cars and often decorate with colorful, painted designs. Trophies are awarded to owners of the most outstanding cars. The late David Blyler Sr., an antique car enthusiast, convinced the street rodders to come here 40 years ago. Prior to that, the cars were displayed off shore at a campground.
The weekend includes a craft show at the Ocean City Music Pier (Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace) on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. The popular Van-Dells will present a music and variety show on Saturday at 8 p.m. on the Music Pier. The Band plays hits of the 1950s and ’60s. Admission is $20, and the public is invited. Tickets are available at the Music Pier Box Office, (609) 525-9248 or online at www.ocnj.us/boxoffice.
AIR SHOWS
The annual Air Festival at the Ocean City Municipal Airport (26th Street and Bay Avenue) is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. It features a ground display of a B25J Mitchell World War II Bomber and a World War II Grumman TBM Avenger. The event is free to attend.
The airport runway will be covered by interesting aircraft. These will include classics, antiques, ultralights, warbirds and homebuilts. There will also be military vehicles and antique cars on display.
There will also be air demonstrations, a paper airplane contest for children, face painting and refreshments. Helicopter and airplane rides will be available for purchase.
An exciting feature of the festival is the Model Airplane Demonstrations by the New Jersey Pine Barons RC Club of Mt. Laurel. Tiny jets will zoom past at speeds of 100 miles per hour. Model planes will ascend and plunge over the runway performing complicated maneuvers. It’s a fascinating sight.
The exhibit of parked planes will be judged and prizes awarded. There will be free parking and a shuttle service to the festival from the Shelter Road parking lot off Tennessee Avenue.
There will be a bubble exhibition by the Ocean City Board of Realtors, paper-clip sculpting and more. For information call (609) 525-9223 or visit www.ocnj.us.
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The thrilling Aerobatic Air Show is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 14) with planes flying over the beach and boardwalk between Sixth and 14th streets. This free event features Team AeroDynamix Formation Sensation, the world’s largest air show team. Also featured are Bill Gordon and the Stearman.
The program also includes the Raiders Flight Demonstration Team, Jason Flood Pitts S1-T Aerobatics and more. Call (609) 525-9300 or visit www.ocnj.us.
CORVETTE SHOW
The Boardwalk Corvettes roll into town on Sunday, Sept. 21. This rally is one of the largest shows of its kind in the country and includes more than 400 entries. It features every Corvette model manufactured to date. The cars will be displayed from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Ocean City Boardwalk rain or shine. For information, call (609) 457-0081. For registration, visit www.boardwalkcorvettes.com.
(Sept. 7) The Ocean City Pops presents OUR THREE TENORS II, 7:30 p.m. at the Music Pier, one of the Pops most popular shows. Tickets are $20. Call (609) 525-9248 or www.ocnj.us/boxoffice.
