Boardwalk and downtown merchants in Ocean City will offer discounts on favorite local merchandise, goods and attractions at a new event planned for Saturday, March 7.
“Market Madness” will take place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the historic Flanders Hotel, 11th Street and the Boardwalk.
The one-day sale will feature select merchandise, goods and offers from 40 Ocean City vendors. The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, Boardwalk Merchants Association and Downtown Merchants Association are planning the event as an early-season attraction for Ocean City and a chance to preview what will be on the shelves this summer.
Participating Stores will include: 7th Street Surf Shop, Liberty Escape Room, Air Circus Kite Shop, Making Waves, Ben and Jerry's, Manco & Manco Pizza, Birdcage, Mia's Christmas Gallery, Bowfish Kids, OC Waterpark & OC Adventure Golf, Congo Falls Adventure Golf, Ocean City Coffee Company, Costello Awnings, Ocean Treasures, Fisherman's Cove, Playland's Castaway Cove, George's Candies, Sand+Stitch, Gillian's Wonderland Pier, Seagrass Boutique, Hearth & Sole, Shirt Shack, Heritage Surf Shop, Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge, Jilly's Arcade, Surf Mall, Jilly's Stores, Ta-Dah!, Johnson's Popcorn, The Beachin Bakery, Jon and Patty's Coffee Bar & Bistro, The Shoppes at The Flanders Hotel, L. E. H. Soap Company and We Make It Personal.
Parking will be free, and food will be available for purchase a la carte.
Ocean City’s downtown shopping district on Asbury Avenue is one of the centerpieces of Girls Weekend, which will take place April 3 to 5 this year. The Boardwalk Merchants will sponsor the first of two Great Egg Hunts on the beach on April 4. These attractions lead into a season of non-stop special events throughout Ocean City.
Free tickets available for March 15 Air Force Band Concert:
The brass ensemble of the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band will perform 2 p.m. March 15 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The show will feature orchestral transcriptions, patriotic favorites, jazz standards, new compositions and distinctive arrangements.
The concert is free, but anybody who wishes to attend must reserve a ticket in advance. Call 609-399-6111 or stop by the City Hall Welcome Center (861 Asbury Avenue) or the Roy Gillian Welcome Center on the Route 52 causeway.
Cheryl Perry, of Ocean City, with her daughter, Sarah Ferrari, of Estell Manor, enjoy Girls Weekend in 2019.
Also coming up:
April 3 to 5 – Girls Weekend: A Friday evening fashion show kicks off a weekend of shopping and dining specials, accommodation packages, wellness classes and more – all showcasing Ocean City’s downtown Asbury Avenue shopping district. Follow updates on the
Girls Weekend Facebook event page or on the
event blog at www.oceancityvacation.com.
April 4 – Breakfast with Bunny: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar & Bistro, 637 Asbury Ave. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
April 5 – Breakfast with Bunny: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Arlene’s On Asbury, 624 Asbury Ave.
April 4 – The Great Egg Hunt: 2:30 p.m. on the beach from 11th Street to 14th Street. There will be separate areas for age groups and special needs children. Arrive on time. Rain date is April 5. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
April 4 – OC CON Super Hero Run: 1 Mile & Kids Super Hero Obstacle Dash. Pre-register and learn more at
www.ocnj.us/race-events.
April 4-5 – OC CON Comic Book & Memorabilia Show: A weekend of vendors, cosplay, artist sessions and more at the Ocean City Music Pier. Visit
ocnjcon.com for complete information.
April 11 – Breakfast with Bunny: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Yianni’s Café, 841 Asbury Ave. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
April 11 – Frozen Yogurt with Bunny: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Spoon & Sip, 838 Asbury Ave. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
April 11 – The Great Egg Hunt: 2:30 p.m. on the beach from 11th Street to 14th Street. Separate areas for age groups and special needs children. Arrive on time. Rain date is April 12. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Children and their parents pack the beaches for the Easter Egg Hunt in 2019.
April 12 – Easter Sunrise Service: A traditional non-denominational service by the sea. All are welcome at 6:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier.
April 12 – Dueling Pianos Show: The Philly Keys will be performing their hit dueling pianos show starting at noon in front of the Ocean City Music Pier. The Philly Keys will take a break for the annual Easter Fashion Promenade, then resume playing.
April 12 – Easter Fashion Stroll: Come to the front of the Music Pier dressed in your Easter’s best to participate in the Fashion Stroll and meet the Easter Bunny. Judging begins at 1 p.m. Prizes awarded for Best Dressed Children, Teen, Adults and Family.
April 18 – Doo Dah Parade: Welcome spring with this comedy parade complete with more than 300 basset hounds. Parade starts at noon on Asbury Avenue at Sixth Street. It continues through the downtown and turns up to the Boardwalk at 12th Street. Anybody interested in joining the parade can register at
www.ocnj.us/Doo-Dah-Parade.
April 18 – Mr. Mature America Pageant: Ocean City presents the Mr. Mature America Pageant for men 55 years and older. Contestants compete in talent, poise and interview categories.
Barry Williams – who starred as America’s most reliable big brother in the sitcom “The Brady Bunch” – will host the event and be available for special meet-and-greets.
The Mr. Mature pageant starts at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Interested contestants can register at
www.ocnj.us/mrmature. Reserve tickets at
oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
Mr. Mature America 2019 Jack Merritt is crowned by 2018 titleholder Bill Quain. (Photo courtesy City of Ocean City)
