By MADDY VITALE
Whether lounging on the beach, strolling along the Boardwalk or flying a kite, tourists and residents in Ocean City had one thing in mind – relaxing and enjoying the Fourth of July weekend.
The resort, known for its family-friendly attractions, has a major lineup to entertain guests and residents, from two concerts by the Ocean City Pops, two bike parades, one in the north end of town and one in the south, among other activities.
Oh, and yes, of course a grand fireworks display will cap the holiday off in style. The spectacle can be viewed from Fifth Street to 14th Street beaches.
On Sunday, visitors had plenty to do. Emma Bittenbender, 21, whose family has a home in Ocean City, invited a group of her friends and fellow Boston College students down for the holiday.
Bittenbender and her friends were enjoying cool drinks, ice cream and chips as they walked along the boards.
“My parents have a home here,” Bittenbender noted. “I’ve been coming here my whole life. My grandparents also had a home here.”
The unofficial “itinerary” for the vacation was pretty simple. It entailed the beach, swimming, eating and going on some rides, she said.
Like Bittenbender and her friends, Matt Fox, Eliza Altman, Nick Namias, Julia Borger, Raegan Martin and Henry Minnick, the goal for visitors was to have good plain fun, soak up some rays and cool off with a splash in the ocean.
Lifeguards Jackson Rennix, Roland Fricke and Charlotte Giacobetti kept watch at Eighth Street beach.
“We concentrate on preventative measures,” Rennix said, adding that they are making sure bathers stay between the flags.
The air temp was in the 80s and humid. But the water’s edge provided a breeze to up the comfort level. And there was always the opportunity to jump in the water, which was around 68 degrees.
Sean and Rachel Davidson, of Doylestown, Pa., were among the many families who spent the afternoon on the beach with their children.
The Davidson’s son, SJ, 3, was busy with a specific task, albeit an exciting one.
“Oh man!” SJ exclaimed every time his kite dipped into the sand.
“I am trying so hard to make sure it doesn’t hit anyone,” Sean Davidson said with a chuckle.
And then something happened.
The wind picked up and SJ’s kite and a newfound hobby – lifted a few feet in the air.
And it was enough to make the little boy very happy.
“Yay!” SJ shouted and then giggled.
There is still plenty to keep visitors and residents busy throughout the Fourth of July holiday celebration in the next two days.
The north end and south end bike parades on July 4th will give spectators and participants lots of fun. They both begin at 10 a.m. The Ocean City Pops Orchestra will perform at 8 p.m. on both July 3 and July 4 on the field at Carey Stadium.
And Fourth of July wouldn’t be special without fireworks. Ocean City is planning a spectacular show, which will begin at 9 p.m. off a barge and can be viewed from Fifth to 14th Streets.
