Visitors Enjoy Beach Day in Ocean City

mvitale

Visitors stroll on the Boardwalk on a busy Sunday afternoon.

By MADDY VITALE Vacationers and residents in Ocean City were relishing balmy temps and breezes at the beach, Boardwalk amusements, foods from ice cream to pizza and some shopping, a week ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start to the summer season. Like many visitors to the resort on Sunday, inland and city residents wanted to escape the heat. Parking lots were filled, street parking was at a premium and stores, restaurants, amusements and arcades were bustling with activity. Mark and Lisa Treilman, of Philadelphia, and their daughters, Shoshana, 3, and 2-year-old Jocelyn, decided to come down for the day, especially with temps reaching 94 in Philadelphia. “It was so hot in the city. We thought we should get outside with the kids, instead of being stuck inside at home with the air-conditioner,” Mark said.

Lisa and Mark Treilman, of Philadelphia, with daughters, Shoshana, 3, and 2-year-old Jocelyn, take an ice cream break. The family picked Ocean City for the Boardwalk, Lisa noted. “There is more to do there for the kids than anywhere else,” she said. They sat on a bench at the Boardwalk on Eighth Street, while the girls enjoyed their ice cream cones, albeit melting ones. The family spent the morning on the beach. They even dipped their toes in the water. “The water was cold,” Lisa said. “But it was still nice.” Paddleboarders, surfers and a few swimmers headed into the ocean, while other beachgoers sat next to the water to take in the cool breezes. Gail and Larry Wilkinson, of Haddonfield, N.J., own a vacation home in Ocean City. They decided to head to shore for the breezes and beautiful weather.

From left, Katie, Gail and Larry Wilkinson, of Haddonfield, enjoy lounging on the beach. The Wilkinsons, and their daughter, Katie, sat near the water’s edge, read books and just relaxed. Gail noted that while Sunday was busy with tourists, Saturday seemed even busier. “We had nowhere to park. We didn’t expect it to be as busy as it was Saturday,” she said. “It was as busy as Memorial Day Weekend.” Katie relaxed next to her parents in a beach chair and soaked up the rays. “It’s a beautiful day,” she said. “What could be better than being at the beach?”