Two giant green aliens and a suspected UFO landed in Ocean City Thursday, providing an unusual sight for local residents and visitors to the Boardwalk.
But unlike the furor caused by Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds” broadcast of the 1940s, alleging a similar fictional New Jersey visit from extraterrestrials, and causing widespread panic, Thursday’s Ocean City “ landing” brought mostly smiles and no screams.
“I think it’s great,” one boardwalker said. “This is unique and different and something fun for the kids. I can see it as a landmark: ‘Meet me in front of the Martians.’” The visitor, who declined to be identified, said “I’m not supposed to be here. Just call me Gloria.”
Architect Ed Howell designed the mirror maze, laser tag and “Fantastic Freak” games, the latter a form of high tech “Wack-a-Mole” at the new amusement at 834 Boardwalk. Howell, who also designed the Boardwalk’s popular Haunted Golf mini-golf layout said he thought the alien-space theme would connect with young boardwalk visitors.
“It’s that great unknown,” he said of the possibility of extra-terrestrial life, as he admired the figures, which appeared to be approximately six feet tall. Howell is owner of Edwin N. Howell and Associates at 845 Asbury Ave.
The aliens were trucked in from another famous beach town, Myrtle Beach, SC, the home base of sign designer Ron Kim and his company, Sign Works.
Howell said during the transport, Kim made several stops and people were coming up to his truck and asking to pose with the green beings.
Not everyone was so receptive. Ann Wetzel, an Ocean City resident and retired racquet sports coach at the University of Pennsylvania, said the aliens were not her cup of tea, but they would probably be a successful attraction.
“I don’t particularly care for them myself, but I bet the kids will love them,” she said. “The younger generation loves that kind of thing.”
Howell said the sign should be quite a sign when completed. He said the spaceship and a large medallion on the building’s façade would light up in multiple colors.
According to Howell, the new amusement should be up and running in the next week or two.
“It should be open (when schools let out) or soon after that,” he said.
