By Donald Wittkowski
In Ocean City, the crowds during typical summer weekends can often be huge in their own right. But they’re usually forgotten by the time the next weekend rolls around.
On Fourth of July weekends, though, the crowds can truly be epic. Memories of them may last for years, if not a lifetime.
This Fourth of July weekend may fall into that never-forget category. Sun-splashed skies and temperatures in the low 90s Sunday proved to be an irresistible draw for people wanting to celebrate the holiday at the Jersey Shore.
“It’s got the makings of being one of the best holidays in a long time,” said Wes Kazmarck, president of the Boardwalk Merchants Association, the trade group representing business owners on Ocean City’s iconic promenade.
“The Fourth of July is like the Super Bowl for people in our industry,” added Kazmarck, the owner of the Surf Mall.
Among those benefiting from the holiday crowds was the ice cream man. Rolind Tobko, who was selling ice cream from a freezer attached to a bicycle, reported doing brisk business.
“Business has been very good. I expect to sell out,” Tobko said while serving the beachgoers along East Atlantic Boulevard.
Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, estimated that 120,000 visitors poured into town for the weekend and will probably stay until Independence Day. That figure represents more than 10 times the city’s year-round population of about 11,000.
“We think we’re hitting it out of the ballpark,” Gillian said of the combination of gorgeous weather and enormous crowds.
Anecdotally, Gillian pointed to the long lines of traffic Sunday entering town on the Route 52 Causeway Bridge and the Ocean City-Longport Bridge as evidence of a blockbuster weekend shaping up. The heavy traffic suggests a big surge of day-trippers coming to the city, she noted.
Hotels, motels and rental properties are filling up with vacationers, another sign that the entire Fourth of July week could be exceptional, Gillian also said.
“The indicators look very strong,” she stated.
The calendar has been adding to the city’s good fortunes. With the Fourth of July falling on a Tuesday this year, the weekend will get extended by an extra day, Kazmarck said.
“When you have the Fourth of July fall on a Tuesday, instead of having two incredibly good weekend days, you get four really strong days,” he said. “But the day after the Fourth is also really strong. People still stay around for an extra day.”
As usual, the beaches were prime real estate throughout the weekend. Mark Jamieson, chief of the Ocean City Beach Patrol, said this year’s holiday crowds ranked right up there historically “with the busiest times.”
“The beaches and the island itself are just packed,” he said.
Unseasonably cool water temperatures in the 60s are expected to warm up in coming days with the summer heat, making trips to the beach even more enjoyable, Jamieson said.
One sunbather, Katie Jacoby, of West Grove, Pa., had a front-row seat for all of the action unfolding at the Surf Road beach. She parked her beach chair right at the water’s edge, allowing her to dip her toes in the surf and cool off in the gentle ocean breeze.
Jacoby, who has a summer home in Ocean City’s Gardens section, was joined by her husband, Keith, her sons, Connor, 8, and Mason, 5, and her 2-year-old daughter, Elise.
“The water feels cool, but it’s fabulous,” Jacoby exclaimed. “We wait all year to get down here for the holiday.”
Another beachgoer, Dara Kimmerley, of Egg Harbor Township, came prepared for an entire day at the beach. Joined by her daughters, Rebecca, 13, and Lily, 4, she brought beach chairs, an umbrella, towels, sunscreen, sandwiches and a cooler stocked with cold drinks.
Kimmerley was preparing to meet up with friends who were arriving from North Carolina. After spending time on the beach, she was planning to stroll the Boardwalk, get something to eat and perhaps jump on some amusement rides with her daughters.
“We’re locals, but we’re going to act like out-of-towners and do all the things they usually do. It’s fun to do that once in a while, especially during the holiday,” Kimmerley said.
