OCEAN CITY — Ocean City celebrated its small-town version of Black Friday on Nov. 24.
Known as Christmas in the Downtown — “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue” — it featured carolers and performers between Sixth and 14th streets along Asbury Avenue.
Downtown stores were offering discount shopping for gifts, and many area restaurants were open.
Brian and Jenny Hozack were in town with their three young daughters — Grace, 10, Jane, 9, and Lilly, 4. They have homes in Linwood and Havertown, Pa.
“This is our second year doing this and we are so excited to come,” Jenny Hozack said. “It gets us ready for the holiday season. We did lots of shopping, got our favorite breakfast at Hooked on Breakfast and now we’re here for a carriage ride.”
Dana Gantt and daughter Taylor of Little Egg Harbor Township were shopping small at Stainton’s Gallery, as were Kim Sansil and her mother, Joan Donohue.
Sansil and Donohue were in town for a week with extended family. They visit every year for Thanksgiving week.
“It’s a family affair every year,” Donohue said, noting seeing Santa light the tree is her favorite part of the day.
Al Bronakowski of Shenandoah, Pa., was shopping inside Mia’s Christmas Gallery, which is ready for the most wonderful time of the year.
Along the avenue, Steven Giordano and granddaughter Scarlet, 3, were watching the horse trotting by pulling carriages.
Free horse-and-carriage rides were trotting in loops from the Ocean City Tabernacle to the 800 block
Anthony and Trish Giannone of North Cape May were visiting the city to take advantage of the festive cheer and free carriage rides.
The couple said they like Ocean City more than Cape May.
“Ocean City is beautiful It’s cleaner, it’s nicer and the shops are better,” Trish Giannone said, noting it’s easier to park downtown.
“Around here it’s more open and more stores,” Anthony Giannone said.
“It’s beautiful out so I told him this is what I want to do and now we are going to go shopping,” Trish Giannone said.
Santa was visiting with children in the beach patrol lifeboat at Mark Soifer Park.
Jason and Michele Sobin, new full-time residents from Moorestown, climbed aboard with son Jace, 19, months.
“We love the holidays. They do a really good job for the holidays, it’s very festive,” Michele Sobin said.
Anna Tolar was visiting with her family from Schwenksville, Pa., and stopped by to get a picture of her children — Juliana, 9, and Sammy, 7 — with Santa and his elves Holly and Jolly.
“I got here on Santa’s sleigh. It was a very quick journey,” Holly said. “I’m here to help Santa with the pictures and spread holiday cheer.”
“Some of our neighbors here told us it was an excellent time to come down,” Anna Tolar said.
She said they visited last year for a carriage ride but never before on Black Friday.
“This is our first time coming down the day after Thanksgiving to see all of the decorations,” she said. “This is our first stop to see Santa.”
Entertainment and Christmas carols were offered on the steps of City Hall and the event culminated when Santa Claus emerged on the rooftop. With the help of an Ocean City Fire Department ladder truck, Santa descended to help light the Christmas tree and illuminate City Hall.
Free horse-and-carriage rides will be available from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23.
New this year, the downtown will be celebrating “Festive Fridays” all month, starting Dec. 1 with the annual Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. from Sixth to 11th streets on Asbury Avenue. Festive Fridays will then continue from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 15 and 22.
Other upcoming events include
— Photos with Santa in Lifeguard Boat (through Dec. 23): Noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the Ocean City Music Pier.
— Visits with Santa in the Downtown (through Dec. 23): 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Mark Soifer Park, Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue.
— Train Show (Dec. 2-3): Free admission to model train show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
— “Finding Nemo JR” (Dec. 8-10): Ocean City Theatre Company students in grades 3 to 8 will present this stage adaptation of Disney’s classic story. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8-9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10. More information and online ticket sales are available at oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff