Downtown “Earlier Than the Bird” Celebration Set for Saturday
By MediaWize, OCNJDaily
The early forecast calls for clear weather on Saturday – ideal conditions to kick off the holiday season along downtown Asbury Avenue. In Ocean City, that means shopping in your pajamas for the “Earlier Than the Bird” celebration.
The annual downtown shopping extravaganza takes place 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 20 – the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Anybody (pajama-clad or not) can take advantage of early-bird shopping specials at stores on Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14th Street.
But free turkeys will be awarded to the best-dressed, and shoppers can text in to win gift certificates and prizes from downtown merchants.
Free coffee will be available at Jon & Patty’s (637 Asbury Avenue) and Ocean City Coffee Company (917 Asbury Avenue). Shoppers also can enjoy a free standard doughnut at Drip ’N’ Scoop (960 Asbury Avenue).
Free horse-and-carriage rides will be available starting on the weekend of Nov. 20 and 21. Ride the downtown the old-fashioned way noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Board at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
Seasonal beach tags for summer 2022 will be on sale at the City Hall Welcome Center (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue) starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.
TICKETS FOR 2022 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES SHOW ON SALE:
A new show in the 2022 Summer Concert Series at the Ocean City Music Pier was announced Monday, and tickets are on sale starting Friday (Nov. 19).
The “Happy Together Tour 2022” will feature the Turtles, Chuck Negron (formerly of Three Dog Night), Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, the Association, the Vogues and the Cowsills on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.
The lineup showcases the vocal harmonies of the Turtles (“She’d Rather Be With Me,” “You Showed Me” and “Happy Together”) and the sounds of the ‘60s. A presale at www.ticketmaster.com (use code BRE) runs 10 a.m. Wednesday to 10 p.m. Thursday. The public sale opens on Friday, Nov. 19.
COMING UP:
Free Horse and Carriage Rides (weekends through Dec. 18-19): Noon to 3 p.m., with boarding at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Fast & Furriest 5k Turkey Trot (Nov. 25): The annual Thanksgiving morning 5-kilometer run begins at 8:30 a.m. and follows a course down the Ocean City Boardwalk. The event also includes a 5K walk and a one-mile fun run. Sponsored by the Humane Society of Ocean City.
Online registration is at runsignup.com, and race day registration opens at 7 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. For more information, call 609-398-9500 ext. 4 or visit hsocnj.org.
Christmas in the Downtown – “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” (Nov. 26): 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Join Ocean City’s downtown merchants and the Chamber of Commerce in kicking off an old-fashioned Downtown Christmas. As part of tradition, the Ocean City Fire Department will be on hand with a ladder truck in case Santa Claus decides to land atop City Hall to pay a visit. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Visits With Santa (weekends Nov. 27-28 through Dec. 18-19): 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park (Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue). For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Photos With Santa in an OCBP Lifeguard Boat (weekends Nov. 27-28 through Dec. 18-19): Noon to 3 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ.
Free horse and carriage rides add to the downtown’s festive atmosphere.