O.C. Happenings: Jeep Invasion and "The Marvelous Wonderettes"

About 500 Jeeps will roll down the Boardwalk on Saturday, Oct. 5 and remain on display in lines that stretch from Fifth Street to 14th Street. The Ocean City NJ Jeep Invasion runs from noon to 5 p.m. The event raises money for local charities, and trophies are awarded to the best Jeeps in various categories. The show also includes vendors displaying and selling accessories at the Music Pier and on the 500 block of the Boardwalk. At the same time, visitors can take advantage of table sales with Ocean City merchants offering discounts on merchandise displayed outdoors between Sixth Street and 14th Street on the boardwalk and downtown Asbury Avenue. The table sales will take place on both Saturday and Sunday. The Ocean City Theatre Company will present a smash off-Broadway musical that transports the audience back to 1958, when the Springfield High prom unexpectedly loses its musical act. “The Marvelous Wonderettes” opens 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at the Ocean City Music Pier with three additional shows at 7 p.m. Oct. 5, Oct. 11 and Oct. 12. An international hit, this cotton candy-colored musical features classic hits from the ’50s and ’60s such as “It’s My Party,” “Lollipop,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” ”Leader of the Pack,” “Respect” and “Mr. Sandman.” The show features a cast of performers from New York City and is presented by special arrangement with Stage Rights. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling 609-399-6111 or by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice. The Ocean City Music Pier will serve as the venue for the OCTC musical, "The Marvelous Wonderettes." Fire Department Open House Ocean City Fire Department and IAFF Local 4032 Open House (Oct. 10) will feature live burn demonstrations, a smoke house, helicopter landing, tours of trucks, and more. This free community event runs 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Fire Department headquarters at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. Rain date is Oct. 11. For more information, call (609) 525-9182. Everybody in the community is invited to this free event. It will feature a live burn demonstration, a “smoke house” where kids can safely learn to navigate a dark and smoky structure, tour the fire trucks, “stop-drop-and-roll” demonstrations and nibble on hot dogs and pretzels. The annual event coincides with national Fire Prevention Month and gives the community a chance to learn more about how the department works. Off-duty firefighters from the local firefighters union volunteer their time to produce the event. The Fall Block Party features gourmet foods and merchandise for the throngs of visitors who attend each year. ALSO COMING UP Race Judicata 5K Run and 1K Fun Run (Oct. 5) – A race to raise money to fund scholarships for area high school seniors. Registration starts at 7 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier, and the race starts at 8 a.m. The course is on the boardwalk. For more information, call Pam Kaithern at 609 463-0313 or visit runsignup.com/Race/NJ/OceanCity/racejudica5krun. Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular (Oct. 12): More than 400 crafters, food vendors, musicians and entertainers fill Asbury Avenue from Fifth Street to 14th Street. The event runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 9 p.m., fireworks will be viewable from the downtown section of the beach and boardwalk. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. Indian Summer Weekend (Oct. 12 to 14): Seafood vendors at the Music Pier (Sat. – Mon.) and table sales with Ocean City merchants offer discounts on merchandise displayed outdoors between Sixth Street and 14th Street on the boardwalk and Asbury Avenue. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Ocean City (Oct. 13): The American Cancer Society sponsors a fundraising 5K walk honoring more than 300 survivors in Ocean City. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the practice field at Sixth Street and the boardwalk. Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. For more information, visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/Oceancitynj or call 856-673-5729. The Making Strides Walk Against Breast Cancer is Oct. 13 in Ocean City. (Photo credit Grandcentralmarket.com)