O.C. Happenings: Sports Show Features Darren Sproles, Matt Stairs

Two players who helped bring championship rings to Philadelphia will be part of the second annual Sports Memorabilia Show on March 30 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Philadelphia Eagles star Darren Sproles and former Phillies slugger Matt Stairs will greet fans and lead Q&A sessions at the show. The show will open a season of special events in Ocean City that will stretch through the new year. It features vendors and table sales dedicated to athletes, fans and collectors. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. Sproles is one of the NFL’s career leaders in all-purpose yards. Though he was injured early in the season, he was part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl championship team in the 2017-18 season. Stairs helped bring the 2008 World Series title to Philadelphia in 2008. He holds the record for most pinch-hit home runs in Major League Baseball history. 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. Vendors interested in participating can call or email Lauren at 609-525-9282 or [email protected].  COMING UP SOON FRANCESCA BANDINO EXHIBIT (Throughout March): Francesca Bandino brings her bright and colorful acrylics to the Ocean City Arts Center from March 1 to March 30. A “Meet the Artist” reception, free and open to the public, will be held 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 8. Born in Cagliari, Sardinia, a city on a beautiful island in the Mediterranean, Bandino moved to New Jersey as an infant. She uses visible brush strokes and bright colors in her acrylic paintings.  She explores different line and color combinations to create unlikely atmospheres for her subject matters. Mark Soifer (microphone) with Jerome Lukas August 2017 will perform a poetry reading at the library March 6. MARK SOIFER POETRY READING (March 6): Ocean City’s longtime public relations director – the mastermind behind events from Martin Z. Mollusk Day to the Miss Crustacean Pageant – will read poems from his 10th book of verse, “Pair of Dice Lost,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 at the Ocean City Library (1735 Simpson Avenue). The book is illustrated by artist Jerome Lukas, who will attend the reading and demonstrate his talents. Admission is free. This event had been scheduled for Feb. 20 but was postponed due to the weather. Some of the poems Soifer will recite during the reading will be expanded and shown on a big screen at the library while he is reading them. ‘FREE WILLY’ (March 10): The Ocean City Environmental Commission and Ocean City Free Public Library will present a free movie open to all at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10 at the library’s Chris Maloney Lecture Hall. “Free Willy” tells the story of a boy who risks everything to free a killer whale about to be killed by aquarium owners. 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. GIRLS WEEKEND (April 5 to 7): A Friday evening fashion show kicks off a weekend of shopping and dining specials, accommodation packages, wellness classes and more. The event showcases Ocean City’s downtown shopping district on Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14^th Street. More information on the event and special packages is available on the event blog and Facebook.  From left; Joanne Kowall, of Ocean City, and friends Cathy Randazzo, Lacye Ciccarelli and Ines Casado, of Pennsylvania, spend Saturday shopping during Girls Weekend in Ocean City in April of 2018. OC-CON COMIC BOOK AND MEMORABILIA FESTIVAL (April 6 to 7): Ocean City’s tribute to comics and memorabilia returns to the Music Pier. 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.

1. 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 and to sign up as a contestant.

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. Slugger Matt Stairs of the Philadelphia Phillies will be on hand for autographs and a meet-and-greet at the Sports Memorabilia Show. (Photo provided by the City of Ocean City)