Major Events Kick Off Busy Weekend in Ocean City

A Super Hero Run, Cosplay Contest and Lightsaber Training will be just a few of the highlights of OC-Con 2023 on Saturday and Sunday (March 25-26) 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 (March 25), and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday (March 26). Reigning Miss New Jersey Augostina Mallous will emcee the Fashion Show that opens Girls Weekend on March 24, and the celebration will continue through Sunday, March 26 with shopping and dining specials, accommodations packages, wellness classes, craft projects and more at various locations throughout Ocean City’s downtown. Now in its seventh year, the OC-Con Festival returns to the Music Pier (Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace) on Saturday and Sunday. General admission to the show is free, and free parking will be available at municipal lots adjacent to the Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace, Eighth Street and Ninth Street. OC-Con will give kids an opportunity to meet Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, create their own lightsabers, find their way through an inflatable maze, and get made over with “faerie hair.” The latest spring and summer clothing lines for sale in Ocean City’s retail shops are modeled by local men, women and children. Featured artists include Tony DiGerolamo (“The Simpsons” and “Bart Simpson” comic books), Bob Petrecca (Marvel Comics), Luke Petrecca (Upper Deck and the Dear Hunter), Neil Vokes (American Mythology Comics), Corey Sosner, Christian Espiritusanto, Steven Farkas, Brian DuBois, Niko Lopez, Momo, Galica Graphics and Jude Martys. Another highlight is the annual 1-mile “Super Hero Run” on the Boardwalk (9 a.m. Saturday) and “Super Hero Obstacle Dash” (10 a.m. Saturday). Sign up for either or both events at the Ocean City Civic Center (Sixth Street and Boardwalk) starting at 8 a.m. Saturday. Pre-registration is available online at ocnj.us/OCCONSUPERHERORUNDASH. 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 Saturday and Sunday. The Cosplay Contest will cap off the event on Sunday at 3 p.m. The event schedule is as follows: Saturday, March 25 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• 8 a.m.-8:45 a.m.: Check-In & Day of Registration for Run (Civic Center)
• 9 a.m.: Super Hero Run (Civic Center)
• 10 a.m.: Super Hero Obstacle Dash (Civic Center)
• 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: Anime Mad Libs
• 12 p.m.-12:45 p.m.: Live music by the Ocean City Pops
• 1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: Saber Guild: Zeffo Temple Demo
• 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.: Live Music by The OC POPS
• 3-3:45 p.m.: Saber Guild: Zeffo Temple Demo

Sunday, March 26 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

• 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Fandom Trivia with John Wallace
• 1 p.m.-2 p.m.: Saber Guild: Zeffo Temple Demo
• 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m.: Fandom Trivia with John Wallace
• 3-3:45 p.m.: Cosplay Contest (registration at the library table throughout the weekend)

Both Days

• Free face painting
• Get your picture taken at the photo booth
• Meet Optimus Prime and Bumblebee
• Get your hair decorated with Faerie Hair (Bowfish Braid Co.)
• Meet the 501st Legion: Northeast Remnant Garrison and Saber Guild: Zeffo Temple
• Craft table: Create your own “lightsaber”
• Come see the “Back to the Future” DeLorean

Visit www.ocnjcon.com for complete information on all artists and scheduled events for OC-CON. The event is sponsored by the Ocean City Free Public Library and the City of Ocean City.