Ocean City Happenings: “Footloose,” Fishing Pier Tour This Week

The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company and the Ocean City Pops orchestra will team up to present the musical “Footloose” for its summer showcase.

There will be eight performances from Tuesday, Aug. 5, to Thursday, Aug. 14, in the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School.

“Footloose” was a groundbreaking film released in 1984 starring Kevin Bacon. The movie helped to popularize dancing and featured an acclaimed soundtrack.

Now, "Footloose" has made the transition from film to Broadway stage and will open up for its local shows at the Hughes Performing Arts Center. It is presented by the city of Ocean City, the Ocean City Theatre Company and the Ocean City Pops.

The shows run on August 5, 6, 8, 12, 13, and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and on August 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. For tickets ($27 to $32), visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office.

Second 14th Street Fishing Pier Open House and Fishing Tournament:

Visitors set new records for attendance, food and money donated to benefit the local Food Cupboard during the Ocean City Fishing Club’s first Open House at the 14th Street Pier on July 24.

The club will host a second open house at the pier from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 7. Friday would be the rain date, if needed.

Visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or make cash donations to help feed the needy.

At each open house, OCFC volunteers station themselves at various locations on the pier to answer questions and to help take photos for visitors with the ocean and Boardwalk as scenic backdrops.

During the first open house on July 24, 1,750 people filled barrels with 290 pounds of non-perishable food and stuffed $2,433 into a huge jar, all headed to the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard.

“I can’t help but feel a sense of pride in a community that steps up to help those less fortunate,” OCFC President Augie Conte III said. “Even in towns like ours – shore towns with so many summer residents and visitors – there are still people who need help to put food on the table. We’re glad to host these open houses to help stock the food cupboard.”

    The Ocean City Fishing Club's open house features picturesque views from the pier at 14th Street. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
  

The OCFC, a private fishing club, has a strong commitment to community involvement through programs that include the annual Boys and Girls Youth fishing tournament, which is scheduled for Saturday August 9.

Any child or teen from ages 8 to 16 can enter the tournament for free. Sign-ups (parent signature required) will begin at 9 a.m. on the beach at the north end of Ocean City near the Ocean City-Longport Bridge. All participants receive a prize.

More family fun and music all week:

Wednesday (August 6) brings Wacky Wednesday with families invited to join the free event at 10:30 a.m. at the Music Pier. This week’s theme is a Prince and Princess Party. Use your creativity to design your own prince or princess crown.

The popular weekly Farmers Market on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle is open 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Wednesday. The market features the best of fresh produce from local farms in the region, along with a variety of craft vendors.

Family Nights on Mondays and Wednesdays include stilt walkers, magicians, favorite characters and more set up at different spots between Eighth Street and 12th Street on the Boardwalk.

The annual Twins Contest on Wednesday will award prizes to those who look the most and least alike. Open to all ages. Registration is free and begins at 5:30 p.m. The contest begins at 6 p.m. in front of the Music Pier.

Thursday (August 7) starts with a Sand Sculpting Contest open to kids, teens, adults and families. Registration is free and begins at 9 a.m. at the Sixth Street Beach. Judging takes place by 11 a.m.

    Mummers nights on the Boardwalk are among the popular family-friendly attractions throughout the summer. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
  

Mummers Nights feature string bands strutting on the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14th Street from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday through the summer.

Downtown Asbury Avenue will feature entertainment, face-painters, balloon sculptors and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through the summer.

Saturday (August 9) features the annual Miss Ocean City Pageant, with 2025 Miss Ocean City Taylor Mulford on hand to crown her successor. Contestants will compete in the interview, talent, swimsuit, evening gown and onstage question categories at 7 p.m. at the Music Pier.

The public is invited to watch young ladies compete for the title. Miss Ocean City represents the city at events throughout the year, and all proceeds from the event benefit local scholarships. Tickets ($20) are available at the Music Pier Box Office, online at www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by phone at 609-399-6111.

On Sunday (August 10), the Ocean City Pops orchestra will perform “Love, Scandal and Intrigue: Opera Night” at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Pier. Featured operas will include “La Bohème,” “Turandot,” “The Marriage of Figaro,” “La Traviata” and much more. Tickets ($20) are available at the Music Pier Box Office, online at www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by phone at 609-399-6111.

On Monday (August 11), the Boardwalk Summer Concert Series will feature Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets are available at etix.com.

Tuesday (August 12) features the annual Pamper Scamper baby-crawling race. Registration is free and begins at 8:30 a.m. Contest begins at 9 a.m. at the Sixth Street beach. For babies up to 15 months.

Registration now open for 115th annual Baby Parade:

The 115th annual Baby Parade in Ocean City is set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 14. Registration is open.

All families with children ages 10 and under are invited to participate. Bands, performing groups and commercial floats are also encouraged to join in the fun.

Complete information and registration for the parade are available at ocnj.us/BabyParade.

    The Baby Parade will celebrate its 115th anniversary. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)