By MADDY VITALE
Ocean City is back at its best and perhaps zaniest form with the ceremonial kickoff to the summer season on Friday.
Revelers sported business attire and took a dip in the ocean to welcome summer and city officials watched as a historian “unlocked” the ocean with a wooden key.
A crowd watched with amusement during the event on the beach adjacent to the Music Pier.
Led by John Walton, a local real estate broker, the Business Persons Plunge has been a part of Ocean City’s event lineup for years.
Last year, while there wasn’t an official plunge because of the pandemic, Walton and a few others in the business community sent a briefcase off into the ocean to signal the time for summer.
Plungers awaited Walton’s arrival Friday to revive the tradition for this Memorial Day weekend. When he appeared, members of the media waited to speak with him. The Ocean City High School Marching Band performed throughout the beginning of the ceremony to add to the celebratory mood.
“It’s been two long, cold winters. Even though we ceremoniously did the plunge last year, no one went in the water,” Walton explained in an interview. “This is our 18th year and what is so great about it is, it is post-COVID,” Walton noted.
He added as he scanned the beach, “Look at the crowd of people here. When I talked to the business people, I said we would hold it rain or shine and here they are.”
A banner plane flew by, signifying the celebratory 18-year milestone for the plunge. Local surfers also took the plunge.
Friday also marked the first day of the lifting of the mask mandate by Gov. Phil Murphy.
And then for the big moment, on Walton’s countdown, the participants slowly paraded down the beach and into the chilly water.
Plungers wore dresses, high heels, formal suits and costumes and carried signs showcasing their businesses.
There was even a surfer in a cow costume and another plunger in a shark costume.
When they emerged from the water, some cheered in celebration of the momentous occasion.
“It is a wonderful community event. The business community starts off the big weekend right, kicking off a weekend of shopping local and enjoying Ocean City,” said Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Gillian continued, “We have great representation here today. It shows that the business community and the rest of the community are really one and the same.”
Just before the plunge, Mayor Jay Gillian, City Council members and other officials did the ceremonial countdown to “unlocking” the ocean as local historian Fred Miller turned a large wooden key in the sand.
The mayor told the crowd that the weekend is not just about the official kickoff to the summer, but about honoring veterans who have served and made the greatest sacrifices.
“It just is a testament to Ocean City. All of the people are here. Everyone is back to Ocean City and it is very great seeing them come back,” Gillian said of the beach filled with spectators and business people ready to take the plunge.
