Fireworks will cap the First Night celebration on New Year's Eve.
Fireworks launched from the beach at Fifth Street cap off Ocean City's 24th annual First Night celebration.
More than 10,000 visitors came to the beach to celebrate New Year’s Eve on Thursday.
A mild winter day for Ocean City’s 24th annual First Night celebration helped the event reach its cap. But event organizers did not turn away families seeking admission buttons, so the 2015-16 event likely set an attendance record.
About 8,000 attended First Night just two months after Superstorm Sandy struck Ocean City in 2012, and 2013 saw a small increase in attendance. About 9,400 attended last year's First Night.
The crowds converged on Ocean City to take advantage of a nonalcoholic New Year’s Eve celebration that caters to families and includes more than 30 different entertainment programs at 19 venues throughout town.
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Families enjoy the open pool time at the Ocean City Aquatics and Fitness Center, a first-time event for First Night.
For the first time, the Ocean City Aquatics and Fitness Center opened its 25-meter pool for a First Night recreation swim, and the addition was popular.
The rides at Gillian's Wonderland Pier were open this year after a seasonal boardwalk reconstruction project prevented the attraction the past two years. For the third year, the program included a temporary ice-skating rink (with a slippery non-ice surface) that drew skaters of all ages.
The Ocean City Historical Museum opened its doors for an open house. Headline entertainment on the Ocean City Music Pier included Salazar Magic (a blend of magic, comedy and dance) and Real Diamond (a Neil Diamond tribute).
The lineup also included traditional favorites such as Abbott and Costello impersonators at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, the “Lucky Guess Game Show” at the Ocean City Primary School and the Hegeman String Band at Ocean City High School.
The celebration ended with a midnight fireworks display.
Ocean City’s New Year’s celebration continues on Thursday with First Day festivities, including a 5K boardwalk run and the annual First Plunge polar bear swim. See our Guide to First Day in Ocean City.
