Robyn Morningstar, of Philadelphia, and her daughter, Ella, 7, enjoy a game of horseshoes.
By Maddy Vitale
Robyn Morningstar, of Philadelphia, and her daughter, Ella, 7, head down to Ocean City for day trips as much as they can over the summer.
But this year, the Morningstar family decided to make a few days of it over the Fourth of July holiday.
On Wednesday, the mother-daughter team was playing horseshoes on the crowded beach at Ninth Street Beach next to the Music Pier.
“A lot of times we come down just for the day,” Morningstar noted. “This time we decided to stay a little longer and got a hotel here.”
Ella described her two favorite parts of the trip: “I like the hotel pool and the Log Flume at Wonderland Pier,” she said.
Robyn Morningstar, of Philadelphia, and her daughter, Ella, 7, enjoy a game of horseshoes.
A day before the arrival of Fourth of July, umbrellas already dotted the beaches. The lifeguards were at the ready on their stands, calling out to swimmers who ventured out too far. American flags displayed along the Music Pier heralded the holiday.
The Boardwalk bustled with people who checked out the shops, arcades and amusements. Others savored their ice cream and nibbled on pizza.
The downtown also had a continuous flow of people toting shopping bags and window shopping.
Ocean City was in full swing – more than ready to welcome Independence Day.
Shoppers stroll along Asbury Avenue.
Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the holiday will be spectacular.
“We are excited for the Fourth of July holiday weekend," Gillian said. "With the weather being so hot inland and it being cooler and breezy at the beach, we are expecting record-breaking numbers of visitors. It looks like it’s going to be a perfect weekend.”
Temperatures hovered in the high 80s, but ocean breezes, especially by the water’s edge, kept it comfortable, beachgoers said.
Gaby Vasquez, of Bucks County, Pa., and Eli Carvajal, 5, also of Bucks County, work on their sand art.
Gaby Vasquez, of Bucks County, Pa., took some time to show her friend’s son, Eli Carvajal, 5, also of Bucks County, how to make a turtle out of sand.
“When I come down to Ocean City, anytime I can, I make stuff in the sand,” Vasquez said.
Liz McClister, of Fairless Hills, Pa., brought her daughters, Brynn, 5, and Emily, 2, and 6-month-old son, Brayden, for a stroll on the Boardwalk. Her aunt, Terry McClister, joined them.
Brynn seemed to really like Ocean City the most out of the siblings.
The McClister family, of Fairless Hills, Pa., make a day of it at the Boardwalk.
Ocean City restaurants and shops see a surge in business every year around the Fourth of July, business owners said.
This one was no different.
Pat O’Hara, owner and manager of Uncle Bill’s Pancake House in Ocean City, explained what the holiday means for business.
“The Fourth of July is usually crazy. It’s when I expect all my new help who started in June to have fully grasped everything so that things can run as smooth as possible,” O’Hara said.
Jody Levchuk, who, along with his family, owns the Jilly’s Boardwalk empire, which includes shops and an arcade, said of the day before the huge holiday, “The town is definitely getting busier. I would say this is the lull before the storm.”
People enjoy the Boardwalk sights and soak in the sun.
Gillian noted that on July 4 there is plenty to do for all ages.
“Ocean City takes great pride to offer an action-packed holiday. The Fourth kicks off with two bike parades at opposite ends of the island,” she pointed out. “Everybody is invited to participate. Both parades start at 10 a.m., and riders are encouraged to dress themselves and their bicycles in the spirit of the holiday.”
Ocean City Theatre Company’s Spotlight Performers Show Choir will present “A Star Spangled Salute” in front of the Music Pier at 6 p.m., followed by a kite-flying competition on the adjacent beach, she said.
Then the Tidal Wave Band will perform in front of the Music Pier from 7:30 p.m. until the fireworks begin at 9 p.m. and resume playing following the fireworks.
A lifeguard calls out to a swimmer to come closer to shore.
There is an extra special treat that should delight the kids this year, Gillian added.
“This year to celebrate the Fourth and the upcoming release of the The Angry Birds Movie 2, the characters Red and Silver will visit the Boardwalk in front of the Music Pier,” she said.
The appearances will be 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 4, and again from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 5.
“Kids are invited to join these 'Angry Birds' for a special meet-and-greet,” she said.
To really celebrate the holiday, there needs to be a bit of sparkle, flare and flash – a technicolor sky.
Fireworks will be launched off a barge in the ocean near the Music Pier at 9 p.m. to welcome Independence Day.
“The highlight of the holiday is always the fireworks," Gillian said.
Flags wave in the breeze on the Music Pier.
