By MADDY VITALE
Tourists looking for something exciting and different to do during the week need not look far.
All they have to do is head to the Ocean City Boardwalk for entertainment throughout the summer with Mummers Night on Tuesdays, which began July 6, and Family Night filled with family-friendly entertainment on Thursdays.
The events are from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the Boardwalk between 6th and 14th streets.
Wes Kazmarck, president of the Boardwalk Merchants Association, said things are getting back to normal as the pandemic eases.
“All of the traditional things that make Ocean City special are coming back and Mummers Night and Family Night are a big part of that,” he noted.
Kazmarck said just looking at the Boardwalk each day with a flurry of activity it appears that everyone is coming back to Ocean City to visit.
“People are really excited to be here,” he said. “We want to keep the momentum going. Mummers Night and Family Night are back to add to the summer excitement on the Ocean City Boardwalk.”
Kazmarck emphasized that this is a special summer, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic created fears and led to temporary business shutdowns last year.
“Everyone was on edge last year. Everyone had to wear masks and people were afraid of the risks,” he explained. “Everyone was walking on eggshells. But this year feels like Ocean City as we know it.”
For years, family-friendly events have created what Ocean City is all about – tradition and attracting generations of families to the resort year after year, officials said.
“Ocean City is all about families, family activities, and tradition. For over 25 years the Mummers participated in Family Nights and Mummers Night on the Ocean City Boardwalk and have been enjoyed by generations,” said Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“America’s Greatest Family Resort welcomes the tradition of the Mummers’ families,” Gillian continued. “This is what Ocean City is all about.”
She explained that the Mummers originally were part of Family Nights on Thursdays.
“They were so popular that we started Mummers Night on Tuesdays. It is fun to watch everyone dancing along with them,” she said. “You’ll often see three generations — grandparents, parents, and children, laughing and dancing together, making memories they’ll have forever. You can’t help but to smile when you see them strutting down the Boardwalk.”
Mummers and Family Nights run through Aug. 26. For more information call 1-800-Beach-NJ or visit OceanCityVacation.com. Also stay up to date with the Ocean City app.
