By MADDY VITALE
The annual Ocean City Fall Block Party has been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But it doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of opportunities for families who make the event an annual tradition to shop, shop and shop some more.
This year, shopping enthusiasts don’t have to leave home to enjoy the best deals, discounts, and merchandise from merchants in town. On Oct. 9, Oct. 10 and Oct. 11, the block party will be offered virtually. Store specials will be posted, and customers can shop online if they choose or shop in person.
“The Virtual Fall Block Party will offer shoppers great discounts and deals from their favorite Ocean City businesses,” explained Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Over the last six months, many mom and pop shops were shuttered due to the pandemic restrictions that were only recently lifted over the last couple of months.
Shopping local not only helps the economy and your favorite merchants, but it also gives customers top quality merchandise at good deals, Gillian noted.
“Small businesses have struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic, and this offers them an additional outlet to showcase their unique merchandise,” she said of the downtown shopping event.
The traditional Fall Block Party, such as this one in 2019, isn't possible amid the pandemic, but shoppers can still get great deals online, at merchant table sales and inside downtown stores.
In addition to the virtual event, Ocean City businesses will also be offering table sales in front of their stores on Oct. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
“Enjoy shopping at our great stores,” Gillian said.
In addition, Gillian said the Chamber and the city are already planning for a traditional Spring Block Party in May of 2021. The 2020 spring event was, like the Fall Block Party, held virtually.
Sisters Candice Kolins and Kristen Vogelbacher, who co-own Cruise Control Gear in Stainton’s Gallery of Shops, are looking forward to the virtual event. They also noted that people may also come to their store to shop.
Kolins said they are planning a lot of great deals to offer to customers both virtually and in person.
“Join us for the Fall Block Party on Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. live on Cruise Control Gear’s Facebook page to shop our entire activewear collection at 25 percent off,” Kolins said of the shopping extravaganza. “Shoppers are automatically entered into a gift card raffle and we are also running a buy-one-get-one free on all performance shirts.”
She added that the specials will also be available at the Stanton’s location at 810 Asbury Ave.
Cruise Control gear is excited for this local ocean city event and the chance to reach out to non-locals with our Facebook live. We hope everyone enjoys our Stainton’s display and loves the apparel that is not yet available on our website.
Councilwoman Karen Bergman said she hopes people will take advantage of the shopping event. Bergman, who is in charge of catering at the historic Flanders Hotel, emphasized shopping local.
“It is important for us to support this year’s Virtual Fall Block Party because so many of the merchants depend on the sales from the block party to get them through the winter,” she said.
For more information visit oceancityvacation.com
