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Families flaunted their fancy threads and some over-the-top Easter bonnets for onlookers and judges at the annual Fashion Promenade on the Boardwalk. Little girls were dressed in pastel colored dresses. Some wore technicolor bonnets and ornate, jewel-encrusted headbands. Little boys wore grown-up suits, including a seersucker outfit. There was even a boy dressed as a bunny carrying an egg.

It was a mad scramble on the beach Saturday as thousands of children scooped up colorful plastic eggs filled with prizes and treats. The Great Egg Hunt is one of the centerpieces of Ocean City's family-friendly Easter weekend festivities.

One of Ocean City’s most popular public spaces will soon be receiving a needed facelift. The Aquatic and Fitness Center has been earmarked for improvements as part of a $1.25 million “Parks and Public Places” capital project for upgrades at the Ocean City Community Center located at 1735 Simpson Ave. City Purchasing and Contract Manager Joseph S. Clark said the overall cost of the project will be determined when bids are received, and contracts awarded for the work. “We do not disclose (expected costs) in advance of the bidding, to ensure the bids do not come in at that number (when they could be lower without such knowledge),” Clark said. “It keeps the bidding process fair.”...

The Humane Society of Ocean City continues to find ways to attract potential adoptees as well as to bring awareness to the community about the millions of unwanted animals who are without homes nationwide. The HSOC raised more than $4,000 for the shelter animals, specifically to enhance the cat room, during a benefit April 5 at Josie Kelly’s Public House in Somers Point. More fundraisers and special events are planned in May and June. Details follow.

The Ocean City Parent Teacher Association decided to create some excitement with a fundraiser. Instead of a commonplace event, members on the fundraising committee decided to do it up – and oh, they did. The PTA hosted “A Night in Monte Carlo” event April 6 at the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City, 4487 Venicean Road, to a packed crowd of 200. There was dancing, fancy appetizers and a bit of casino-style gaming. In all, the PTA raised more than $18,000 at the event. Proceeds will help fund improvements to Ocean City’s Primary and Intermediate Schools' playground equipment, enhancements to the Intermediate School’s STEM Program and field trips for students in grades kindergarten through eighth.

When entering Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, where rides and amusements have delighted families for generations on the Ocean City Boardwalk, one may feel as if they've stepped into a time warp. And for the throngs of visitors who keep coming back to the amusement park that boasts one of the largest Ferris wheels on the East Coast at 144 feet high, nostalgia is a good thing. This was the first weekend that Wonderland Pier was open for business for the season. The park, which was founded in 1929, will be open during the week as well after Memorial Day. A formal celebration marking the 90th anniversary will be held this summer.

Jack Merritt, 69, of West Grove, Pa., took home the crown of Mr. Mature America 2019. The consultant, who has a vacation home in Ocean City, is a private pilot. He strummed and sang with a bit of help from the audience at the Ocean City Music Pier to Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.”

The Ocean City Education Foundation (OCEF) awarded $14,000 in mini-grants to smiling teachers in the district during a reception and ceremony Friday morning at the primary school. Comfy furniture for first-graders, a television camera for technology classes, a button maker for a merchandising class, class trips for children in special education classes geared toward building social skills, French food supplies, and headphones for Spanish classes were just some of the awards. “We just love giving these grants out,” said Tricia Ciliberto, president of the independent foundation. “We want to keep giving for years to come.”

Demolition crews began knocking down the former Baia Restaurant, 998 Bay Ave. in Somers Point, and at this point, city officials say they aren’t sure what will become of the property. “The owner, GMH Restaurant Holdings LLC, took out a demolition permit and yesterday they began demolition,” said Planning and Zoning Board Administrator Jayne Meischker. She said at this time there are no applications before either the planning or zoning boards for a new restaurant or other business at that site.

Teens and parents gathered in the Ocean City High School library Tuesday night to listen to speakers talk about the risks of drinking and drugs and watch an emotional short film about teens reflecting on their friend’s death of an overdose. The presentation, which was also in Upper Township at the Middle School on Monday night, was a joint event between the OCHS After Prom Committee and the Upper Township/Ocean City Municipal Alliance Committee. Audience members viewed the short film, “If They Had Known,” by teens who reflected on what they wish they had known about the dangers of the party culture.