First Night, Ocean City’s Gala New Year’s Eve celebration, offers a variety of entertainment for families and individuals for just $20 a person. The holiday gala features 76 entertainment programs at central locations from 4 p.m. till midnight. There will be a fireworks show at midnight, weather permitting.
Opening ceremonies will be held 4 p.m. at the ice skating rink, a First Night attraction, located at the Football Field, 6th St. off Boardwalk. It will include greetings by City officials and entertainment.
Entertainment includes Salazar Magic and a tribute to Neil Diamond at the Music Pier, inflatables and the Fabulous Greaseband at the Civic Center, and rides at Wonderland Pier. The lineup also includes ice skating adjacent to the Civic Center, Pinkalicious and Let’s Rock in the Ocean City High School auditorium, Japanese Drummers and the Juliano Brothers in the high school gym, popular magician Chad Juros in the high school auxiliary gym, Andrew Hink, the Billy Tucker Trio and Carl Howell’s folk and rock music in the high school Community Room. The high school observatory will be open for the public to view the night sky.
New this year: the skate park will be open with a DJ playing music (safety equipment required).
The Primary School will feature the One Man & One Dog Comedy Show and Jungle John. St. Peter’s Sanctuary will showcase the Cape Shore Chorale and Sounds of Broadway. In St. Peter’s Stainton Room, Chanteuse and Abbott & Costello will be featured. The Aquatic and Fitness Center’s pool will be open. The Library Community Room will present Ocean City History, the Horse Play Game Show, and the St. Augustine’s Prep Boys Choir. The Ocean City Historical Museum will also have an open house.
The Ocean City Senior Center will feature Keith Hickman with dance music from line dancing to Sinatra and mentalist Dan Cain. The Ocean City Tabernacle will present the Harmony Show Choir and the Ocean City Pops Orchestra. The Tabernacle’s Kull Youth Center lists the Allo Puppets with magic and fun and the Give and Take Jugglers. The film Little Red Riding Hood will be shown at the Moorlyn Theatre.
Buy your buttons now for $20 on line at www.firstnightocnj.com, or call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. Buttons are also available at the City Hall Welcome Center, 9th and Asbury Ave.
Parking will be free in all Ocean City Municipal lots. Jitney Service will be provided from 5 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. for button holders, operating continuously between sites. All who buy First Night admissions buttons will be given a program book with details about site locations, parking and the jitney service.
First Night has an Angel Fund for those who can’t afford buttons. Call 609-525-9300 to receive buttons or support the fund.
