The Fall Block Party is a major event each year. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
Ocean City’s premier autumn event – the Fall Block Party – will go off rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8.
More than 400 crafters, food vendors and entertainers will line a mile of downtown Asbury Avenue between Fifth Street and 14th Street. The Block Party helps draw tens of thousands of people to Ocean City for Columbus Day Weekend.
Entertainers and bands will perform at various spots along the Avenue between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Just a few of the perennial favorites include Big Daddy, the Pennsport String Band, Keith Hickman and Chad Juros with Captivate Entertainment.
Pony rides for children will be available on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle (at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors including Asbury Avenue restaurants will offer food of every variety.
Street parking will be free at all metered spots and all municipal parking lots in Ocean City, including at the Transportation Center lot (Ninth Street and Haven Avenue) and at the municipal lots on the 700 and 800 blocks of Central Avenue.
A 9 p.m. fireworks display over the ocean caps off the evening. The show will be launched from a barge off the Ocean City Music Pier and will be best viewed from the Boardwalk and beach between Fifth Street and 14th Street.
The Indian Summer Weekend (Oct. 8 to 10) celebration also includes table sales by downtown and Boardwalk merchants with discounted merchandise set up between Sixth Street and 14th Street on the Boardwalk and Asbury Avenue throughout the weekend.
The Halloween House Decorating Contest is a fun event for families to showcase their spooky displays. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
OCEAN CITY TO SPONSOR HALLOWEEN HOUSE DECORATING CONTEST:
Registration is open for the third annual Halloween House Decorating Contest in Ocean City. The contest encourages everybody to get in the spirit of the holiday in a fun way.
Judges will award prizes for homes in each of the city’s four wards and for businesses. Deadline for registration is 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21. A list of participants will be posted, so everybody can see the decorated homes.
For more information and to sign up, visit www.ocnj.us/halloweenhouse.
OCTC MUSICAL FEATURES DOO-WOP, DANCING AND COMEDY:
With performances running from Oct. 7 to Oct. 15, the Ocean City Theatre Company presents “Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream,” a show that will leave you laughing, singing and cheering.
The '60s hits say it all: “Fools Fall in Love,” “Tears on my Pillow,” “Runaround Sue,” “Earth Angel,” “Stay,” “Unchained Melody,” “Lonely Teardrops,” and “The Glory of Love.” Show dates are 7 p.m. on Oct. 7, 8, 14 and 15, and 2 p.m. on Oct. 16 at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Tickets are available by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or calling 609-399-6111.
Full of doo-wop music, dancing, and comedy, Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream is set in the early 1960s and follows Denny and the Dreamers, a fledgling doo-wop singing group preparing to enter the Big Whopper Radio contest to realize their dreams of making the big time.
ALSO COMING UP IN OCTOBER:
ALL OF OCTOBER – “Prints in Motion” Exhibit: The Gallery at the Ocean City Arts Center will exhibit “Prints In Motion,” featuring linoleum prints by Kit Donnelly. The show opens Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 29. A “Meet the Artist” reception will be held on Friday, Oct. 14 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Gallery is located in the Ocean City Arts Center, 1735 Simpson Ave., 2nd Floor.
OCTOBER 9 – Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk: The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides is a 5,000-plus participant breast cancer fundraising 5K walk honoring over 250 survivors in Ocean City. Check-in starting at 8:30 a.m. at the practice field on the beach block of Sixth Street. Stage program starts at 9 a.m., Survivor Runway Lap at 9:50 a.m., and walk at 10 a.m. Participants can register online at makingstrideswalk.org/OceanCityNJ.
Get ready to have some fun at the Fire Department's Open House.
OCTOBER 13 – FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE: The Ocean City Fire Department and IAFF Local 4032 will hold their annual Open House at the station at 550 Asbury Ave. from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13. The annual event coincides with national Fire Prevention Month and gives the community a chance to learn more about how the department works.
OCTOBER 15 – Porsche Boardwalk Reunion: Porsches will be displayed from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Boardwalk from 6th Street to 14th Street. More than 350 Porsches of all models and years between 1954 and 2021 are expected. Free Tech Sessions on Porsche related topics are open to all at the Music Pier.
OCTOBER 16 – John R. Elliott HERO Walk & 5k Run: HERO 5k run will take place at 9:30 a.m. HERO ceremonies are at 10:30 a.m. The walk is a 5k walk along the Ocean City Boardwalk. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Sports & Civic Center. For more information, visit herocampaign.org or call 609-626-3880.
OCTOBER 22 – Dog Day and Howl-O-Ween Parade: Leashed dogs will be permitted on the Boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All are welcome and encouraged to bring their favorite furry canine friend. Activities for the day include dog-specific vendors along the Boardwalk, photo-op stations on the Boardwalk, and the Humane Society of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year” announcement.
Hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City, Howl-O-Ween Parade contestants are encouraged to dress themselves and their pooch in zany, fun Halloween costumes in the spirit of the season. Registration begins at 2 p.m. at the Sports & Civic Center. The parade begins at 3 p.m. and the procession is from 6th to 12th Street on the Boardwalk. Vendor and parade registration is now open at www.ocnj.us/DogDay.
OCTOBER 26 – O.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Welcome Night: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center. Meet Ocean City groups, businesses and organizations during this free event.
OCTOBER 27 – Halloween Parade: 7:15 p.m. on Asbury Avenue from 6th to 11th streets. Sponsored by the Ocean City Exchange Club. For more information call 1-800-813-5580 or visit ochp.blogspot.com.
OCTOBER 29 – Halloween Costume Skate: The Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue will celebrate Halloween 4 p.m. to dusk on Saturday, Oct. 29. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants.
The dog parade, where owners and their pooches dress up for Halloween and stroll down the boards, returns Oct. 22.
