The Ocean City area continues to sprawl westward across the bay and toward Berlin and Ocean Pines. It is part of the Ocean Pines Micropolitan Statistical Area. The resort area now accommodates hundreds of thousands of vacationers a year.

Ocean City now extends just over 9 miles (~15 km) from the southern inlet to the Delaware line. The strip now supports hotels, motels, apartment houses, shopping centers, residential communities, and condominiums. The southern tip houses the Ocean City Boardwalk. The boardwalk is the main shopping district and entertainment area of the town. The boardwalk has many prominent businesses including Fisher’s Caramel Popcorn & Thrashers French Fries. Other notable boardwalk businesses are Dollies Salt Water Taffy, the Atlantic Stand & Dumser’s Dairyland. The Boardwalk has two amusement parks, Trimper’s Rides and The Pier, which was recently renamed Jolly Roger at The Pier, after its sister uptown local amusement park. The downtown neighborhood is marked by Victorian style houses and other older buildings, many of which have been razed in recent years to construct more parking lots, hotels and condos.

Ocean City has a long history of fishing, both commercial and recreational. The town bills itself as the “White Marlin Capital of the World.” During the summer numerous charter and private boats fish for billfish, tuna, Wahoo, and other game fish. In early August, one of the largest fishing tournaments in the world, the White Marlin Open, is held. Prize money for the largest White Marlin, Blue Marlin, and Tuna can range over 1 million dollars.

The town supports a year-round population of about 8,000, with the town itself being a major employer. Summer employment in Ocean City rises many multiples above that level, supported by a large number of college-age and young adults – many native to Eastern Europe and the United Kingdom – attracted by numerous job opportunities. In the summer, businesses and government agencies are augmented with about 100 seasonal police officers, plus extra firefighters and other workers.

Tourism in the winter has picked up pace. Where once even many traffic lights were shut down or bagged up, increased traffic from golfers and Ocean City Convention Center conventions has convinced many seasonal restaurants and hotels to remain open. Many bars and restaurants that close during the winter re-open for St. Patrick’s Day.

The city has erected a memorial to the firefighters who lost their lives on September 11. This memorial is located on the boardwalk, about six blocks from the inlet. The memorial consists of a firefighter statue, engraved brick and stone, and a piece of one of the twin towers that collapsed in New York City.

Effective 26 April 2010, the town of Ocean City began diverting all of its recyclable waste into the main waste stream. Ocean City’s waste, including all of its recyclable waste, is being incinerated at a waste facility in Pennsylvania in order to generate electricity.

Thank you to the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.

It’s hard to believe that Labor Day weekend is upon us. But that doesn’t mean that the fun is stopping at the beach.  There’s a lot going on in our “2nd Season”.  The month of September highlights many activities as well as gorgeous weather and warm ocean water temperatures.  Come capture an Ocean City memory this fall.

Labor Day Weekend Art & Craft Festival - Ocean City Convention Center – 40th Street and Coastal Hwy

September 3 – September 5, 2010

Delmarva Bike Week

September 16 – September 19, 2010

Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show - Ocean City Convention Center – 40th Street and Coastal Hwy

September 17 – September 19, 2010

Sandcastle Home Tour

September 23 – September 24, 2010

Sunfest – Inlet Lot – Southern most tip of the Ocean City Boardwalk

September 23 – September 26, 2010

Sunfest Kite Festival – On the beach from 1st – 6th Street

September 23 – September 26, 2010

Cruisin' Ocean City, Md.

Come on down the beach May 20- 23, 2010 and check out “Cruisin’ Ocean City”.  This popular car show features over 3,000 hot  rods, customs, classics, street machines, muscle cars and more.  There is live entertainment, celebrity guests, special attractions, boardwalk parades, manufacturers vendor midway and more.

It’s held at the Convention Center on 40th Street & the Inlet parking lot. This year some special guests are scheduled to appear.  Henry Winkler,  the “Fonz”, Cruisin Gold Deejay Mike Wilson, Celebrity Stars Deejay Tim Beasley and more.

The Boardwalk parades are scheduled at 8am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. So many things to see and do, so make sure you cruise on down to Ocean City, Maryland for the 20th Annual Cruisin Ocean City.

There is so much going on in April, come to the beach to join us for some, or all, of these wonderful events.

Easter Art & Craft Fair

April 2^nd – 4^th

10am – 5pm

Ocean City Convention Center

40^th St. & Coastal Hwy

Exhibitors displaying unique hand-crafted items including wearable art, jewelry, lawn & garden décor, toys, florals, fine art, caricatures and more. Door prizes given. Admission includes the Easter Kids Fair.

Easter Kids Fair

April 2^nd – 4^th

10am – 5pm

Ocean City Convention Center

40^th St. & Coastal Hwy

Continuous events, activities & entertainment including Beanny the Easter Bunny, egg hunts, coloring tables, magic and puppet shows, clowns, face painting, dancing, games, contests and more.

Reach the Beach All Star Internationals

April 9^th – 11^th

8am – 10pm

Ocean City Convention Center

40^th St. & Coastal Hwy

American Cheer and Dance competitions. One of the largest all star & college events in the country.

2^nd Annual Ocean City Surfrider Foundation Best Ball Surfin’ Golf Tourney

April 9^th

10am – 6pm

Glen Dale Golf Club (Near Bowie)

Contact Kat Morgan 443-758-4824

This is a fund-raiser to help promote our initiates such as our “Please Leave Only Your Footprints” campaign, beach clean-ups, scholarship funds and environmental awareness. We’re looking for both golfers and sponsors who want to help protect our beaches and oceans and have a great time doing it!

Ocean City Alzheimer’s Star Search Gala

April 11^th

3pm – 8pm

Clarion Resort Hotel

13^th Annual Ocean City Alzheimer’s Gala. This year, the gala will feature a “Star Search” theme with performances by local musicians, and dancers. Live music by Dawn & the Williams Project and DJ Andy Bulles. Silent auction with lots of great items including golf outings, hotel and dining packages, spa sessions, etc.  $40 admission includes full course sit down dinner. All proceeds to benefit the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Surfrider Foundation FUNraiser

April 12^{th (rain date April 18th)}

7pm – 11pm

Market Street Inn

130 West Market St.

Salisbury, Md.

Join us for a night of music, fun, dancing, drinks, and good times for a good benefit!

Earth Day Wetlands and Sand Dunes Clean-up

April 17^th

8:30am – 12:30pm

Meet at Ocean City Town Hall

Join the Maryland Coastal Bays Foundation, the Ocean City Chapter of Surfrider Foundation and the Town of Ocean City to celebrate Earth Day. Join us in picking up trash in the wetlands and on the sand dunes. Form a team, register a team by calling 410-213-2297, ext 107, and then meet us on Saturday morning, April 17^th to pick up your assigned clean up area, gloves, bags for trash, your free Earth Day Tee Shirt and the most amazing gift of knowing that you personally contributed to our efforts of keeping our coastal waterways clean.

3^rd Annual Ocean City Chamber Business Marketplace Expo

April 21^st

5pm – 7:30pm

Seacrets at 49^th Street and the Bay

The Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce’s 3^rd Annual Spring Business Marketplace Expo is a fantastic opportunity to see some of the cutting edge local products and services offered by area businesses.

Delmarva Birding Weekend

April 22^nd – 25th

Ayres Creek Adventures – contact 888-602-6288

6:30am – 7pm

Special tours are available for Delmarva Birding Weekend

Md International Kite Expo

9am – 9pm

April 23^rd – 25^th

Ocean City Boardwalk

5^th Street to the Inlet

Expo features impressive ground and air demonstrations of color and imagination. Activities include sport kite demonstrations, giant kites, and lessons in kite making. Events and other competitions such as candy drops and rokkaku battles throughout the weekend. Come enjoy one of the largest kits festivals in the USA.

Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition & Art Festival

April 23^rd – 25^th

10am – 5pm

Ocean City Convention Center

40^th Street and Coastal Hwy

Carvers & visitors from across the world convene for the most prestigious competition of wildfowl art. Event includes judging, benefit auction, classes & seminars, demonstrations, children’s activities and over 100 exhibitor booths of artisans & art supplies.

Region 19 Sweet Adelines Competition

April 23^rd – 24^th

8pm – 10pm

Ocean City Convention Center

40^th Street & Coastal Hwy

27 choruses from the Mid-Atantic region compete for medals and the opportunity to represent Region 19 at the international convention. Exciting chorus and quartet performances along with the “Show of Champions”.

Come to the Beach and Have fun at one of the many Activities that are continually offered!!

The 26th Annual Home, Condo & Garden Show will be held at the Convention Center starting this Friday March 19th and continuing through Sunday March 21st, 2010.

It’s a wonderful event and there is also an arts and crafts show. The weather will be gorgeous so come on down to the beach and enjoy.

Only two days to spring!

A fund raiser was held today at the Ocean City Convention center, it featured a chinese and silent auction, contributions from the Art League of Ocean City and a fashion show. Pictured left to right; Ruth Waters, Monica McNamara, Joanne Cropper and Alma Seidel.

Ocean City Convention hosted fundraiser for Lower Shower American Red Cross

Ocean City's Winterfest of Lights

Winterfest of Lights - North Side Park – 125th St. & The Bay –  November 19th – January 2nd

Enjoy the displays of dazzling lights as you ride through an animated wonderland on the Winterfest Express. Visit the Winterfest Village located inside the tent to see Santa, sip hot chocolate and shop for Holidays gifts. While in Ocean City, drive along the Avenue of Trees on Baltimore Ave. from 15th-32nd Street.

Winterfest Gala – Princess Royale – November 20th – Black tie Holiday celebration kicking off the lighting of the Winterfest of Lights and celebration of the Holidays.

War On The Shore Wrestling – Ocean City Convention Center – December 4th & 5th

Area schools from the Mid Atlantic region compete in this wrestling event sponsored by Stephen Decatur High School.

Ocean City Christmas Parade - 100th Street North to 115th Street – December 5th – 11am

Holiday Parade with high school bands, floats and marching units. There are many activities that follow the parade that are held at Gold Coast Mall on 115th Street.

American Cancer Society Fashion Show - Convention Center – December 8th

Largest gathering of Ocean City and the surrounding area’s women to raise funds, have Holiday cheer and watch a wonderful fashion show. All to benefit the American Cancer Society.

October Calendar of Events – Ocean City, Md.