Get Ready For Girls Weekend and OC-CON

Two major events this weekend will help kick off a full schedule of family fun for Ocean City in 2022. Reigning Miss New Jersey Alyssa Sullivan will emcee the April 1 Fashion Show that opens Girls Weekend, and the celebration will continue through Sunday, April 3 with shopping and dining specials, accommodations packages, wellness classes, craft projects and more at various locations throughout Ocean City’s downtown. A special appearance by “Red Dead Redemption II” actor and voice actor Roger Clark will be just one of the highlights of OC-CON 2022 on Saturday and Sunday (April 2-3) at the Ocean City Music Pier. OC-Con features meet-the-artist sessions, discussion panels, costume contests, and the display and sale of comic books and memorabilia. Show hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (April 2), and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday (April 3). The annual Girls Weekend kicks off with its traditional fashion show at a new and larger location, the Ocean City Yacht Club (100 Bay Road), at 7 p.m. Friday, April 1. It features clothes and accessories for sale in Ocean City’s retail shops and modeled by local men and women. The lighthearted event will include light fare and refreshments. Miss New Jersey Alyssa Sullivan, who is from Cape May Court House, will host the show. The event typically sells out each year, but you can check on availability of tickets by clicking on the “Buy Now” button on the event blog page. Girls Weekend features hotel and bed-and-breakfast packages, dining offers, shopping discounts, prizes, yoga and wellness classes, craft projects and demonstrations at various locations throughout Ocean City. Accommodations package deals are being offered by the Flanders, Port-O-Call, Scarborough Inn and the Ocean City Mansion bed-and-breakfast, among others. For a detailed schedule of Girls Weekend events, accommodations and participating businesses, visit the Facebook event page or call 609-399-1412. OC CON will feature costume contests, comic book vendors and more. Now in its sixth year, the OC-CON FESTIVAL returns to the Music Pier on Saturday and Sunday. General admission to the show is free. Best known for portraying Arthur Morgan through performance capture in the 2018 video game “Red Dead Redemption 2,” Roger Clark will hold meet-and-greet sessions 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Featured artists include Tony DiGerolamo (“The Simpsons” and “Bart Simpson” comic books), Bob Petrecca (Marvel Comics), Luke Petrecca (Upper Deck and the Dear Hunter), Michael S. Bracco (“The Creators” and “The Monuments”), Galica Graphics, Pharos Creative Studios and more. One highlight is the annual 1-mile “superhero” run on the Boardwalk (9 a.m. Saturday) and “superhero” obstacle course race (10:15 a.m. Saturday). Sign up for either or both events at the Ocean City Civic Center (Sixth Street and Boardwalk). The weekend also features two performances by the Ocean City Pops Orchestra playing themed music on Saturday and the Saber Guild Zeffo Temple will conduct lightsaber training for young show attendees on Sunday. The Cosplay Contest will cap off the event on Sunday. Visit www.ocnjcon.com for complete information on all artists, discussion panels and scheduled events for OC-Con. KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD JOINS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Ocean City announced Monday that the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band will be part of the 28th season of the Music Pier Summer Concert Series with a show at 7 p.m. August 22. Tickets for the show go on sale Thursday with special presale on Wednesday. The guitarist is a legend among fans of blues rock, and he has topped the Billboard blues charts with seven different singles.  The shows is presented by the City of Ocean City and the series is co-produced by BRE Presents and Rose Productions. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com starting at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 31. A special presale (use code BRE) will take place 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 30.  The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band will perform at the Music Pier on Aug. 22. ALSO COMING UP IN APRIL April 9 – 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. The route travels Asbury Avenue to 12th Street, then turns up to the Boardwalk and finishes at Sixth Street. Dietz & Watson is the event sponsor. April 9 – The Great Egg Hunt: The traditional event returns to the Boardwalk again this year. Participating merchants will invite children up to age 7 to visit stores with their families to collect eggs filled with treats and surprises. The event will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. or while supplies last. Flyers will direct families to participating stores. Rain date is April 10. April 16 – The Great Egg Hunt: The second of two Great Egg Hunts will take place on the Boardwalk. Participating merchants will invite children up to age 7 to visit stores with their families to collect eggs filled with treats and surprises. The event will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. or while supplies last. Flyers will direct families to participating stores. Rain date is April 17. April 17 – Easter Sunrise Service: A traditional non-denominational service by the sea. All are welcome. 6:30 a.m. at the Music Pier. April 17 – 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. Free fun for the entire family. The Philly Keys will take a break for our annual Easter Fashion Stroll. April 17 – Easter Fashion Stroll: Come dressed in your Easter’s best for a Fashion Stroll and meet the Easter Bunny at the Ocean City Music Pier. Judging begins at 1 p.m. Prizes awarded for Best Dressed Children, Teen, Adults and Family. April 30 – Sports Memorabilia Show: Former Philadelphia Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel and former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner will be part of the show at the Ocean City Music Pier. They will greet fans and lead Q&A sessions. Vendors with merchandise and items representing a variety of sports and teams will be for sale at the show. Check back for more detail on how to purchase tickets for meet-and-greets. Vendors interested in participating in the event, can email [email protected] or visit www.ocnj.us/sportsshow for more information. The popular comic book and sports memorabilia show will feature 15 vendors.