A stretch of clear fall weather is expected to continue through the weekend, and that will provide ideal conditions for Ocean City’s premier autumn event: the Fall Block Party, said Ocean City Public Information Officer Doug Bergen.
More than 400 crafters, food vendors and entertainers will line a mile of downtown Asbury Avenue between Fifth Street and 14th Street on Saturday, Oct. 6. The Block Party helps draw tens of thousands of people to Ocean City for Columbus Day Weekend. The event runs rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entertainers and bands will perform at various spots along the Avenue between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Just a few of the perennial favorites include the Tidal Wave Band (at 10th Street) and the Pennsport String Band (at 13th Street). Pony rides for children will be available on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle (at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue) during the same hours. Vendors including Asbury Avenue restaurants will offer food of every variety.
Street parking will be free at all metered spots and municipal parking lots in Ocean City, including at the Transportation Center lot (Ninth Street and Haven Avenue) and at the municipal lots on the 700 and 800 blocks of Central Avenue.
A 9 p.m. fireworks display over the ocean caps off the evening. The show will be launched from a barge off the Ocean City Music Pier and will be best viewed from the boardwalk and beach between Fifth Street and 14th Street. Call 1-800-BEACH-NJ for more information.
The Indian Summer Weekend (Oct. 6 to 8) celebration also includes seafood vendors at the Ocean City Music Pier. Downtown and boardwalk merchants will hold table sales with discounted merchandise set up between Sixth Street and 14th Street on the boardwalk and Asbury Avenue throughout the weekend.
Annual Fire Department Open House Oct. 11
The Ocean City Fire Department and IAFF Local 4032 will hold their annual Open House at the station at 550 Asbury Avenue from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11.
Everybody in the community is invited to this free event. It will feature a live burn demonstration, a “smoke house” where kids can safely learn to navigate a dark and smoky structure, tours of trucks, a helicopter landing, a “Jaws of Life” demonstration, free hot dogs, pretzels and more.
The annual event coincides with national Fire Prevention Month and gives the community a chance to learn more about how the department works. Off-duty firefighters from the local firefighters’ union volunteer their time to produce the event.
Rain date will be Oct. 12. For information, call (609) 525-9182.
Music Pier Turns to ‘Xanadu’ Oct. 5 to 7
The Ocean City Theatre Company’s 2018 professional Broadway Series will continue with the musical adventure “Xanadu” at the Ocean City Music Pier 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Oct. 5 and 6) and 2 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 7).
“Xanadu” is based on the Universal Pictures’ cult classic movie of the same title, which stars Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. The stage production was nominated for the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical.
The hilarious roller-skating musical adventure, set in the year 1980, follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens to inspire the greatest of artistic achievements – the first roller disco. Along the way, she falls in forbidden love with a mortal, and chaos abounds when her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation.
The score, by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, includes the hits “Magic,” “Xanadu,” “Party All Over the World” and “I’m Alive” — all Top 20 Billboard hits. Lynne wrote and produced all of the music of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Farrar was also responsible for most of the hits that were performed by Olivia Newton-John in the 1970s.
OCTC’s “Xanadu” is directed by Shannon Agnew with music direction by Andrew Hink. The professional cast is made up phenomenal performers with touring, regional and off-Broadway credits. The cast includes Erin Whitcomb, Danny Drewes, Gabriel Rodrigues, Shannon Agnew, Hannah Breed, Natalie Ragazzo, Kari Lochstoer, Andrew Pace and Robert F. Taylor.
Tickets ($18 to $20) can be purchased by calling 609-399-6111 or by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice. You can also purchase tickets at the City Hall Welcome Center, Roy Gillian Welcome Center or at the Music Pier on show days.
Coming up in October
Oil Painter Exhibit (All of October): Oil painter Rick Phillips, a native of the Susquehanna Valley in Pennsylvania, brings his classic oils to the Ocean City Arts Center October 1 through October 31. A “Meet the Artist” reception, free and open to the public, will be held Friday, October 12 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All work will be for sale.
OC Reads (Oct. 10 to 17): OC Reads is a program designed to bring people together through literature by encouraging them to read the same book. This year’s book is “Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust” by Michael Hingson. A book discussion will be held 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Ocean City Free Public Library.
The “Thunder Dog Learning Showcase” 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 13 will feature speakers discussing how they train their therapy dogs and seeing-eye dogs. Hingson will present a meet-the-author talk, Q&A and book-signing at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the library.
Ocean City NJ Jeep Invasion (Oct. 13): Jeeps will be displayed on the boardwalk between Fifth Street and 14th Street from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.NJJeepInvasion.
Cape May County Bar Association 5K (Oct. 13): Pre-registration at runsignup.com and race-day registration 7 a.m. at the Music Pier. For more information, call Pam Kaithern at 609-463-0313.
American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk (Oct. 14): Register at 9 a.m. at Sixth Street and the Boardwalk. Walk starts at 10 a.m. For more information, visit www.cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345.
3rd Annual Chili Chowder Fest (Oct. 14): Tastings from Ocean City’s best purveyors of hot, steamy chilis and chowders. DJ and kids’ activities add to the fun 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Unlimited samples for $15 (adults) and $5 (children). For more information, visit ww.eatinocnj.com
