"Girls" Get Ready For an O.C. Weekend

By MADDY VITALE This weekend in Ocean City will be dedicated to women when Girls Weekend kicks off the start to the shopping, dining, and fun-filled season. From discounts and deals to boutique-style fashions at shops along Asbury Avenue, a memorable weekend awaits friends and families at the shore. “Girls Weekend has become a staple to the downtown to highlight over 100 boutique stores and restaurants,” Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, said of the event. In 2020, the popular event was canceled due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions. In its place was a virtual event. However, like other attractions for the 2021 season, the downtown merchants and the Chamber have made changes, when necessary, to ensure that everything is strictly adhered to for safety and health protocols. “Due to COVID-19, there were some obstacles to overcome, and downtown Ocean City stepped up to make slight adjustments based on CDC guidelines,” Gillian explained. The Girls Weekend annual fashion show was cancelled for Friday, but the downtown merchants will present a parade of fashions on Asbury Avenue during the weekend, Gillian noted of the Chamber-sponsored event. “The businesses along Asbury Avenue will be offering fabulous shopping opportunities, restaurant specials will be featured, and there will be giveaways and prizes throughout the weekend,” she added. So, residents and visitors need only to head downtown for their weekend of dining and browsing the latest fashions, jewelry and accessories. In addition, there will be exercise and wellness classes, craft demonstrations and spa specials at businesses throughout town. Cheryl Perry, of Ocean City, with her daughter, Sarah Ferrari, of Estell Manor, enjoy Girls Weekend in 2019. And for those coming a distance, or just wanting to get away for a weekend, there will be plenty of accommodations for all tastes from high end to casual. Hotels, inns and motels are offering packages and discounts to add to an enjoyable, relaxing weekend for visitors. “We have participating accommodations throughout the city such as The Flanders Hotel, Inn the Gardens, and Ocean City Mansion with Girls Weekend specials,” Gillian said. “Girls Weekend has become not just a downtown celebrated event, but citywide. What a great way to begin the unofficial start of the season.” For a full schedule of Girls Weekend events, accommodations and participating businesses, call 609-399-1412, visit OceanCityVacation.com or go to the Facebook event page. The Flanders Hotel is one of the locations offering deals and discounts during the weekend.