OCEAN CITY — The city prides itself on its family-friendly atmosphere highlighted by its ban of alcohol sales, and organizers of its biggest party of the year take that philosophy to heart.
On New Year’s Eve 2024, Ocean City celebrated the 32nd anniversary of its popular First Night, which was founded in 1992 and modeled after a celebration in Boston that marked the nation’s bicentennial in 1976.
Shellie Hughes of Mount Laurel and 17-year-old daughter Brooke had front-row seats to illusionist Anthony Salazar at the Ocean City Primary School.
“We came here a couple years ago and we had such a good time that we wanted to try to do it again before she went off to college,” Shellie Hughes said. “I just love the fact that they have a low cost to get to enjoy all of these events, and there are so many different things. We’re just going to take advantage of everything that we can.”
Hughes said she also enjoys the alcohol-free nature of the event.
“I don’t want to encourage my teenager, no matter how old they are, to drink. I’m glad that she’s safe here in a family-friendly environment,” she said.
The illusionist used a copy of the Ocean City Sentinel in his act, apparently tearing it into pieces and reassembling it so that avid readers could still get their news.
Ocean City’s first celebration included 25 entertainment acts at five locations with about 800 people attending. Today, attendance is capped at 10,000. This year there were more than 70 activities and entertainment programs at 23 different venues.
The lineup includes something to satisfy every taste and age group.
Things got started at 3:45 p.m. with an opening ceremony at the Music Pier on the boardwalk. Events ran from 4 p.m. to midnight, highlighted by the music of the Eagles and the Yacht Rock Gold Experience.
Offerings included the return of perennial favorites such as outdoor ice skating, a magic show, a mentalist, a ventriloquist, the Harlem Wizards, Japanese drummers and a variety of other shows. The Ocean City Pops (with a Rodgers & Hammerstein Extravaganza), Yellow Brick Road: A Tribute to Elton John, the Cape Shore Chorale, a dueling pianos performance and the Sensational Soul Cruisers were among the additional musical entertainment options.
The Mickey Mouse Show at the Music Pier, inflatables and ice skating at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center and the Ben Lippman Variety Show kicked things off. Open swimming at the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center, an open house at the Lifesaving Station and Historical Museum and a DJ skate party at the skatepark drew early crowds.
Maggie Carlisi and daughter Emily, 9, were watching the Brain Wash Game Show with others from their family from Raleigh, N.C., in the cafeteria at Ocean City High School.
“It’s a really fun way to ring in the new year, something the whole family can participate in,” Carlisi said, noting they had already been to an arcade and walked the boardwalk. “We go to all of the events and stay for the fireworks. It’s just a great way our whole family can be together and celebrate.”
She noted the loss of the free rides at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, which closed in October after nearly 60 years at Sixth Street and Boardwalk.
Carlisi later got in on the act against Christine Crincoli while her husband, Joe Crincoli, and children Ellie, 9, and Charlotte, 6, cheered from the front row.
At the same time, the Ocean City Theatre Company was producing “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus: the Musical” in the auditorium and country line dancing was taking place in the gymnasium.
Over at the Ocean City Tabernacle’s Kull Youth Center, celebrants were enjoying the Mainstage Singers and children were playing with Legos at the Ocean City Free Public Library.
A long line of children were eagerly awaiting their turn at the ice skating rink on the basketball courts outside the Civic Center, where Katie Hofer of Hidden Valley, Pa., was watching as husband Brian and children Carter, 10, and Ellie, 7, cruised around the rink.
Hofer said visiting Ocean City has been a family tradition for years. Her great-grandparents built a house on the island many years ago and they visit a few times each year.
“We are here to celebrate the holiday,” Hofer said, noting it was their first time at First Night. “We’ve always been summer and Easter people before.”
She said she loves the alcohol-free atmosphere.
“It’s perfect for our kids, we really love it,” she said, noting there is something for everyone in the family.
Inside the Civic Center, Patrick McGuigan, 8, brother Brennan, 7, and sister Addison, 5, were enjoying the inflatables and other games with friend Desmond Kissler, 7.
Taking a break for a quick photo were Carson Zaremba, 9, and sister Piper, 5. Avery Rafanan, 5, was waiting her turn at the bouncy house, where Carson Flori, 6, was working up a sweat.
Somers Point resident Dan Flori said he has been bringing his son to the event for the past three years and attended when he was young.
“It’s good to bring the family — there aren’t too many family-friendly things where you can take them out till midnight,” Flori said. “We’re missing that the rides aren’t open this year and that’s all shut down.”
Meanwhile, Matt and Elise Smart of Abington, Pa., were looking over their events schedule, trying to decide what to do next as children Jack, 8, Maeve, 5, and Ryan, 2, blew off some steam.
“It’s awesome. We went last year and we were obsessed so we came back this year,” Elise Smart said, noting the Civic Center was perfect for entertaining her children. “We went and saw the Minions, last year we saw the Trolls, and this bounce house is so nice.”
She said they really feel the loss of Wonderland Pier, it being another perfect venue for her children.
“We went when it closed in September,” Elise Smart said.
Their options included singer Keith Hickman and the Harlem Wizards basketball team at the high school and Jungle John at the Tabernacle Youth Center.
Samantha Parks of Philadelphia was watching Jungle John and his cold-blooded friends — an alligator and python among them — with son Harrison, 5, and daughter Amelia, 3.
A light rain began midway through the evening, driving many who were walking between venues indoors while others continued to get around on the free jitneys.
By 8 p.m. the skies had opened up and spouted forth a deluge, bringing thunder and lightning with it and forcing cancelation of the two drone light shows planned over Carey Stadium. However, the storm was a quick as it was powerful and passed through in time for the fireworks extravaganza at midnight.
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff