Ocean City will present its sixth annual Tribute to the Philippines on Saturday (July 18).
A new feature of the event will be the New Jersey State Yo-Yo Championships that will be held inside the Music Pier during the day and conclude with the final Freestyle Championships starting at 8 p.m. Admission is free to the event.
The yo-yo was invented in the Philippines and means "Return! Return!" in its language.
The championships are hosted by Air Circus Kite Shop. The owner of the shop, Doug Jewell, is a world-renowned yo-yo performer. He and his team will be entertaining on the Boardwalk and in the Pavilion area during the day. Jewell was responsible for bringing the state event to Ocean City.
Opening ceremonies for the Philippines tribute are set for 9 a.m. in front of the Music Pier at Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, will join Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. of the Philippines. The two will discuss ongoing cooperation and mutual projects.
Following opening ceremonies, there will be entertainment on the Boardwalk in front of the Pier. This will include the Rowan University Filipino dancers, the Mutya Philippine Dance Company and the PCS Youth Company groups.
Representing the city and American music will be Rock ‘n Roll Hall Of Fame member Dick Richards and his Ready Rockers. Richards was the original drummer of Bill Haley’s Comets and was also a featured actor on Broadway and in TV and movie productions. He will present a rousing program of rock favorites. International vocalist Rene P. Sese will perform with the band.
An exhibition of Filipino crafts, foods, goods and services will be featured from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the pavilion area of the Music Pier. Filipino nurses will offer blood pressure and blood sugar testing. Admission is free.
“This will be a fun day of free entertainment that will be highlighted by the informative exhibition” noted Sese, a native of the Philippines and resident of Ocean City. Sese was instrumental in the formation of a Sister City relationship between his home town, San Jose Occidental Mindoro and Ocean City. Thousands of Filipinos now live in the Northeast Corridor of the United States and represent a new visitors market for Ocean City.
Also this weekend:
July 17: The
OCEAN CITY NOR’EASTERS vs Electric City Shock: The City’s premier soccer team takes on the “Shock” in a friendly match, 7 p.m. at Carey Stadium, 6
th and Boardwalk. Tickets on sale at
www.oceancityfc.com/tickets.
July 18: The finest in American Crafts will be exhibited and sold Saturday at the 1oth Ocean City
FINE ART & HANDCRAFT FESTIVAL, on the Tabernacle Grounds, 550Asbury Ave. Produced by JoAnne Schaut, director of the Jersey Shore Artisans Guild.
The show supports local charities and over the years has raised $317, 451 for the Ocean City Food Cupboard, Atlantic City Rescue Mission, Gilda’s Club of South Jersey and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Many of the artisans will be demonstrating their fascinating and colorful crafts. If they don’t have the item in their display, many will create it while your browse. Every item is made in the USA, by the person you are purchasing it from. Imports are never permitted.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3.
July 18: 36
th T. John Carey
MASTERS SWIM. Pre-registration $25 online at
www.LMsports.com. Day of registration $35 at beach patrol station, 34
th St. and Beach starting 8 a.m. Race starts at 10 a.m. For more information, call (609) 399-6111 ext. 9200.
July 19: OCEAN CITY NOR’EASTERS vs. Jersey Express “Fan Appreciation Night.” City’s premier soccer team takes on Express in a Mid-Atlantic Conference Match-Up, 7 p.m., Carey Stadium, 6
th and Boardwalk. Tickets at
www.oceancityfc.com/tickets.
July 19: OC POPS Broadway Spectacular with Jennie Eisenhower & Jeremiah James. Two of the hottest talents on stage join us as Maestro Scheible leads the Pops in a program of sizzling Broadway favorites. Featuring selections from many Broadway favorites including Les Miserables, Cats, A Chorus Line and more. Sponsored by the Ocean City Board of Realtors. 8 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets $20/$15. For more information, call (609) 399-6111 or (609) 525-9248 or visit
www.ocnj.us/boxoffice.
