Contests and Concerts Highlight Week of Family Fun

From pie-eating, freckle and sand-sculpting contests to concerts by the Ocean City Pops and a Queen tribute band, Ocean City’s calendar of special events is filled with family fun this week. CONTESTS AND WEEKLY HAPPENINGS Ocean City’s “Wacky But Not Tacky” series of Wacky Wednesdays continues at 10:30 a.m. July 6 at the Ocean City Music Pier with an old-fashioned pie-eating contest. No advance registration is required for this free family event. The July 13 edition of Wacky Wednesday will bring french-fry sculpting. The popular weekly Farmers Market on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 14. The market features the best of fresh produce from local farms in the region, along with a variety of craft vendors. Ocean City’s annual Freckle Contest returns to the Music Pier at 6 p.m. July 6. Registration is free and begins at 5:30 p.m. A Sand Sculpting Contest will be open to kids, teens, adults and families on Thursday, July 7. Registration is free and begins at 9 a.m. at the Sixth Street Beach. Starting on July 7, the weekly Family Nights will bring a variety of bands and entertainers to the Ocean City Boardwalk from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays through the season. On Tuesday, July 12, Mummers Night will return to the Boardwalk from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with string bands providing entertainment. The Ocean City Pops orchestra will perform this Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City) OCEAN CITY POP CONCERTS After two great outdoor concerts to celebrate Independence Day, the Ocean City Pops will return to perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 at 7:30 p.m. July 6 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Originally planned for Beethoven's 250th birthday, this monumental concert brings one of history's most beloved and famous works to the Music Pier. A symphonic choir, four soloists, and a full orchestra will team up in the first-ever, full performance of Beethoven’s 9th in Ocean City history. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 10, Tin Pan Alley comes to the Ocean City Music Pier with the Pops performing songs from George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, among others. “The Great American Songbook” will pay tribute to one of the most important eras of American music. For tickets, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by the Music Pier Box Office. KILLER QUEEN AND SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Killer Queen features Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury, and an exceptional band re-creates the energy of a live show by one of the best-known rock bands in history. The Queen tribute band will perform at 7 p.m. Monday, July 11 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Check the Music Pier Box Office for ticket availability or call 609-399-6111.