The fourth annual Girls Weekend from April 5 to April 7 will showcase all that Ocean City’s downtown retail district has to offer and provide a great reason to escape to the shore early in the season.
The event kicks off with a fashion show at 7 p.m. Friday, April 5 at Glazed Over Studios (704 Asbury Avenue). It features clothes and accessories for sale in Ocean City’s retail shops and modeled by local men and women, including members of City Council.
The lighthearted event will be catered by local restaurants. Advance tickets ($20) are required and on sale now at City Hall, the Route 52 Welcome Center, Ta-Dah (1040 Asbury Ave.), the 7th Street Surf Shop (720 Asbury Ave.), the Sneaker Shop (704 Asbury Ave.) and Making Waves (836 Asbury Ave.). Tickets also can be purchased online this year (click on the “Buy Now” button on the event blog)
Girls Weekend features hotel and bed-and-breakfast packages, dining offers, shopping discounts, prizes, yoga and wellness classes, craft projects and demonstrations at various locations throughout Ocean City.
Accommodations package deals are being offered by the Flanders, Port-O-Call, Biscayne Suites, Wild Dunes Inn, Impala Island Inn, Ebb Tide Suites and the Ocean City Mansion bed-and-breakfast, among others.
For a detailed schedule of Girls Weekend events, accommodations and participating businesses, call 609-399-1412, visit the Girls Weekend blog or the Facebook event page.
COMING UP SOON
BLONDAGE SINGS IRISH FAVORITES (March 14): The female, and, of course, naturally blond trio Blondage will perform a free St. Patrick’s Day concert at the Ocean City Arts Center 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 14.
The group consists of lead singer Linda Moore, guitarist and mandolinist Susan Salmon, and Susan Davenport on violin and fiddle. The band sings everything from Irish music to rock to country. No reservations are necessary. Donations to the Arts Center are appreciated.
SPRING BOOK SALE (March 22-23): The Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library will hold their two-day Spring Book Sale 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 22, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 23.
The sale will be held in the atrium of the Ocean City Free Public Library (1735 Simpson Avenue) and feature specially-priced fiction and non-fiction books, DVDs, children’s books and more.
SPORTS MEMORABILIA SHOW (March 30): Philadelphia Eagles star Darren Sproles and former Phillies slugger Matt Stairs will be part of the second annual Sports Memorabilia Show on March 30 at the Ocean City Music Pier.
They will greet fans and lead Q&A sessions. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. Sproles will be available for a meet-and-greet session at 11:45 a.m.
Tickets for an autograph (on a photo or item you supply) and a selfie photo with the player are on sale for $40. A meet-and-greet with Stairs ($20 for autograph and selfie with the player) is scheduled for 2:45 p.m.
A combination package that includes both players is available for $55. Visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by City Hall or the Roy Gillian Welcome Center to purchase tickets. Admission for the show is $7 for adults and $3 for 12-and-unders with tickets available at the door. Admission includes a free Q&A session with Sproles (11 a.m.) and with Stairs (2 p.m.)
OC-CON COMIC BOOK AND MEMORABILIA FESTIVAL (April 6 to 7): Ocean City’s tribute to comics and memorabilia returns to the Music Pier. “Star Trek,” “Roots” and “Reading Rainbow” icon LeVar Burton will highlight this year’s event.
Now in its fourth year, the festival will return to early spring after being held in June last year.
The star of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” will be a special guest for both days, and tickets are on sale now for exclusive photo and autograph sessions.
Visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111, or stop by the City Hall
Welcome Center (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue) or the Roy Gillian Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway.
OC-Con features meet-the-artist sessions, discussion panels, costume contests, and the display and sale of comic books and memorabilia. Show hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 6, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 7. Visit www.ocnjcon.com for complete information on all of OC-Con.
DOO DAH PARADE (April 13): “I Dream of Jeannie” star Barbara Eden will lead this year’s parade as grand marshal. Individuals, groups, businesses and any other comic entries are invited to participate in the parade by signing up at www.ocnj.us/Doo-Dah-Parade.
MATURE AMERICA PAGEANT (April 13): The pageant is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, April 13 on the Ocean City Music Pier. The event is the first and only pageant of its kind in the United States. The pageant includes competition in talent, judge’s interview, poise and appearance, and on-stage question. Registration is now open for any contestant 55 or older who would like to participate. Visit www.ocnj.us/mrmature for more information.
THE GREAT EGG HUNT (April 13 and April 20): Two massive egg hunts on the beach for children up to 7 years old. The free events start at 2:30 p.m. and feature areas divided by age group and for children with special needs.
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE (April 21): A traditional non-denominational service by the sea. All are welcome. The service starts at 6:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.
DUELING PIANOS SHOW (April 21): The Philly Keys will perform their hit dueling pianos show starting at noon. The performers will take a break for the annual Easter Fashion Promenade.
EASTER FASHION PROMENADE (April 21): Families are invited to come dressed in their Easter’s best to stroll in the Fashion Promenade and meet the Easter Bunny. Judging begins at 1 p.m. on the boardwalk at the Ocean City Music Pier. Prizes awarded for Best Dressed Children, Teen, Adults and Family.
COLONY CLUB FASHION SHOW (April 27): The local Colony Club’s annual Fashion Show Scholarship Fundraiser will be held 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 27 at Ocean City Senior Center (1735 Simpson Ave.)
The Fashion Show will feature fashions from Ta Dah and a delicious luncheon buffet. You can shop at Ta Dah and the Colony Club Jewelry Boutiques, along with Tricky Trays. Tickets are $35. Contact Judi Levy for tickets at 609-247-1332 or email colonyclub.oceancitynj@gmail.com. Proceeds benefit the Colony Club of Ocean City Scholarship Fund.
