Ocean City Hosts July 4th Holiday Events
By MediaWize, OCNJDaily
Fireworks will cap off Ocean City’s Fourth of July festivities at 9 p.m. Sunday, July 4. The city is ready to celebrate the return of summer, and the display promises to be spectacular.
The fireworks will be launched from a barge in the ocean near the Music Pier and will be best viewed from the beach and Boardwalk between Fifth Street and 14th Street. A musical simulcast will be broadcast over the Boardwalk PA system and available to stream online at www.ocnj.us.
The fun starts on Wednesday (June 30) with the opening of the weekly Farmers Market and will continue through Monday (July 5) with a concert by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30:
The popular weekly Farmers Market on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle will open on June 30 and continue 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 29. The market features fresh produce from local farms in the region, along with a variety of craft vendors.
Ocean City’s “Wacky But Not Tacky” series of Wacky Wednesdays starts at 10:30 a.m. June 30 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The event invites families and individuals to participate in various activities and contests. The season opener will feature salt water taffy sculpting. No advance registration is required for this free family event.
THURSDAY, JULY 1:
Market Days entertainment and activities on downtown Asbury Avenue will open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 1 and continue Thursday mornings through the season.
A Sand Sculpting Contest will be open to kids, teens, adults and families. Registration is free and begins at 9 a.m. at Sixth Street Beach. Judging takes place by 11 a.m.
Family Night entertainers at various blocks on the Boardwalk will perform Thursday evenings 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. starting July 1.
FRIDAY, JULY 2:
Legendary singer-songwriter Don McLean brings a stellar live show to the Ocean City Music Pier with special guest Steve Forbert. Visit Ticketmaster to reserve your seats.
Don McLean, famous for the song “American Pie,” will perform at the Music Pier. (Photo courtesy City of Ocean City)
SATURDAY, JULY 3:
The South Ocean City Bike Parade encourages riders to dress themselves and their bicycles in the spirit of the holiday. The event is free and no advance registration is required. It will start at 10 a.m. Saturday with registration starting at 9 a.m. in the Our Lady of Good Counsel parking lot at 40th Street and Asbury Avenue. This parade ends at the playground at 52nd Street and Haven Avenue.
The Ocean City Pops will perform a free outdoor concert at 7:30 p.m. July 3 at Carey Stadium (behind Ocean City High School on the beach block of Fifth Street and Sixth Street).
The legendary local orchestra will perform patriotic classics and audience favorites in honor of our nation’s birthday. The Carey Stadium concert is a first for the Ocean City Pops. Bring a beach chair or blanket to sit on the field, and there will be seating available in the bleachers.
SUNDAY, JULY 4:
Registration for the Gardens Civic Association Bike Parade starts at 9 a.m. Sunday, July 4 in the parking lot at the foot of the Ocean City-Longport toll bridge. The route makes its way to East Atlantic Boulevard with a finish near Beach Road. The parade begins at 10 a.m.
The Ocean City Skate Park will host a free Fourth of July Skate Bash 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 4. The event will feature a DJ, snacks, giveaways and a patriotic costume contest. The skateboard park is located at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue.
A kite-flying competition will take place at 7 p.m. on the beach along the Boardwalk. A yo-yo contest and exhibition will also begin at 7 p.m. on the Boardwalk at the Music Pier. Both events are free with registration at the Music Pier. For more information, call 609-399-6111.
MONDAY, JULY 5:
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes will bring their rip-roaring live show to Ocean City to wrap up the Fourth of July weekend in style. Visit Ticketmaster to reserve your seats for this 7 p.m. show at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Kids get into the spirit of Fourth of July at the bike parade in 2019.