Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian
Dear Friends,
I hope you enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving with family and friends. We have much to be grateful for here in Ocean City, and I want to personally thank all of the residents, guests, businesses, city team members, educators, clergy members and volunteers who make our hometown so special.
I want to thank our local American Legion post for hosting Coast Guard recruits for Thanksgiving dinner, as they do each year.
I hope to see you today at our Miracle on Asbury Avenue Christmas celebration. Downtown stores will offer discount shopping for gifts, and many Asbury Avenue restaurants will be open.
Free horse-and-carriage rides will be available noon to 3 p.m. with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. Santa will visit with children 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue).
Entertainment and Christmas carols will begin at 4 p.m. on the steps of City Hall at Ninth Street and The Fire Department will be on hand with a ladder truck at 5 p.m. in case Santa makes a landing on the roof of City Hall as he has in the past. He’ll then be on hand to help illuminate City Hall and the city’s tree.
We'll have a van parked near City Hall and will be collecting donations of non-perishable food and goods for our local Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard. Some of the things on Santa's wish list for this food drive include: canned meats, canned ravioli, canned fruit, peanut butter, jelly, microwavable rice, mac-and-cheese and meals, instant oatmeal and mashed potatoes, laundry and dish detergent, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and body soap.
Remember to shop and dine local as our downtown and Boardwalk merchants celebrate Small Business Saturday tomorrow. Children can visit with Santa from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park (9th Street and Asbury Avenue) or take a photo with Santa in a lifeguard boat from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. outside the Music Pier. Free horse and carriage rides will be available 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. with boarding at 6th and Asbury.
The Ocean City Pops will perform its annual holiday concert at the Ocean City Music Pier at 6 p.m. tomorrow evening, and that's always one of the highlights of the season. Tickets will be available at the Music Pier Box Office or at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.
Seasonal beach tags for summer 2025 are on sale now. The discounted price of $30 will remain in place through May 2025. Visit store.ocnj.us for more information on how to purchase online or in-person.
First Night buttons are also on sale. Ocean City’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration returns this year, and the lineup of entertainment and activities looks great. Visit firstnightocnj.com to see the schedule and get in on the fun.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian
