OCEAN CITY — The fall calendar in Ocean City is packed with events that keep residents busy and attract major crowds right through the New Year’s Eve celebration. No fall event may be bigger than the Block Party, which is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 12.
Asbury Avenue gets blocked off from Fifth through 12th streets and will be filled with 400 crafters, food tents, music and community groups in the twice-yearly shindig. Tens of thousands of visitors descend on the island for the day and many come for the entire three-day Columbus Day weekend.
“The Block Party is definitely a signature event for Ocean City. We have so many people come back that are guests who come in the summer, and are second-home owners,” said Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce. “They put this on their calendar a year in advance for weddings, for all different events, for when the Block Party is.”
Gillian said it is a popular event for girls weekends.
“We see a lot of women come down with their friends, whether staying at a hotel, motel or duplex or second home. It’s a real chance for them to shop, which they like to do; eat, which they like to do; and then they can visit different areas around Ocean City in the evening. I think it is a perfect girls weekend,” she said.
“From years and years ago when Carolyn (Murphy) and Mark (Soifer) were doing it, that whole old group understood that highlighting Ocean City in October was a great thing for a three-day holiday,” she explained about the former head of the Downtown Merchants Association and longtime public relations director for the city, respectively.
The Fall Block Party is an event that is as popular with local residents as it is with visitors because of what it offers.
“There are over 400 crafters. We have a waiting list,” Gillian said. “We highlight Ocean City restaurants and some surrounding area restaurants. We have music and entertainment, things for kids to do. It’s a great event for anyone.”
She laughs that when she sees crafters setting up their tables in the morning, she makes a mental note. “I go, ‘OK, I want this, I want this, I want that.’ So you want to get back there real early in the morning to make sure you get what you want.”
“What I really enjoy is that so many local organizations and local people participate. We have the high school, the Ocean City Theatre Company, we have the VFW and American Legion, the Colony Club. We have all the groups,” she said. “We have so many groups participating, it really makes it like a hometown block party. You see so many people you haven’t seen since the summer ended. We have all the teams. The crew teams, the basketball team. It gives it that hometown flavor.
“Even if the weather isn’t perfect, we still have everybody participating,” Gillian said. “The stores really get a great exposure during the Block Party whether people go to the store then or come the next day because we have table sales that weekend downtown and on the boardwalk. So many people will visit the stores on Sunday and Monday if they haven’t gotten to them on Saturday.”
Block Party just one
fall event of many
“There is something going on every weekend right through First Night, so no matter what weekend you come down here there is something going on,” Gillian said. “Whether it’s the Junior Theatre Company, the Trail of Two Cities, Winterfest, Earlier than the Bird, then right into our holiday celebrations with Santa and horse and carriage rides, a tree-lighting and girls weekend — there are so many things going on for people to enjoy.
“There is just something for everyone. There is something every weekend. We have dog days on Oct. 26, which is fun because we get to have our dogs on the boardwalk and a dog parade for Halloween — all these good things that get people involved in Ocean City and makes it like their hometown as well as ours.”
Although the COVID-19 pandemic that hit in early 2020 was a painful time for people and for businesses, there was one plus, according to Gillian. She said people realized Ocean City is more than a summer destination. They found out the weather doesn’t have to be perfect to enjoy Ocean City.
“We see people all throughout the winter, even in January and February. They’re out riding their bikes, they’re running, going to their favorite breakfast place. We still have activities that go on in those months and they participate,” Gillian said. “We have so many great library events for people to come to, we have the Aquatic and Fitness Center. There are so many treasures in Ocean City to enjoy all year long. There is something to enjoy every weekend in Ocean City.”
She said the image of Ocean City as America’s Greatest Family Resort “is something that has been handed down for generations, especially from Mark and Carolyn. I think all of those traditions are important for us to keep.”
OCTOBER
5-6 — Boardwalk & Downtown Merchant Table Sales: Sixth to 14th streets on the boardwalk and Asbury Avenue.
12 — Fall Block Party and Fireworks Spectacular: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Fifth to 14th streets on Asbury Avenue. More than 400 crafters, food vendors, music and more. Fireworks over the boardwalk at 9 p.m. Call (800) 232-2465.
12-14 — Boardwalk & Downtown Merchant Table Sales: Sixth to 14th streets on the boardwalk and Asbury Avenue.
19 — Porsche Boardwalk Reunion: Cars will be displayed from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Sixth to 14th streets on the boardwalk. More than 350 Porsche cars of all models and years between 1954 and 2021 are expected. Free tech sessions on Porsche-related topics open to all at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and boardwalk.
23 — OC Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Welcome Night: Local groups, businesses and organizations from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center.
24 — Halloween Parade: 7:15 p.m. from Sixth to 11th streets on Asbury Avenue. Call (800) 813-5580 or visit ochp.blogspot.com.
26 — Halloween Costume Skate: The Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue will celebrate Halloween from 4 p.m. to dusk. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, as well as candy for participants.
26-27 — Dog Days: Leashed dogs will be permitted on the boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Activities for Saturday include dog-specific vendors, photo-op stations and the Humane Society of Ocean City’s Pet of the Year announcement.
26 — Howl-O-Ween Parade: Contestants are encouraged to dress themselves and their pooch in zany costumes in the spirit of the season. Registration at 2 p.m. at the Sports & Civic Center, Sixth Street. The parade begins at 3 p.m.
NOVEMBER
2 — Trail of Two Cities 5K/Walk: Route 52 causeway from Ocean City to Somers Point. Pre-registration and race day. 8 a.m. start. Visit ocnj.us/race-events for registration and email lrumer@ocnj.us or call (609) 525-9317 for information.
11 — Veterans Day Program: 11 a.m., Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave.
16 — Winterfest by the Sea: The fifth annual holiday shopping extravaganza featuring craft vendors, food vendors and strolling Santa., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sports & Civic Center at Sixth Street.
23 — Earlier than the Bird Downtown Shopping Extravaganza: 8 a.m. to noon. Holiday shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving. Shop in pajamas for early bird specials.
23 — Horse & Carriage Rides: noon to 3 p.m., Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
28 — Annual Fast & Furriest 5k Turkey Trot: Foot race down the boardwalk. Call (609) 398-9500, ext. 4, or visit hsocnj.org.
29 — Christmas in the Downtown – Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue: 2 to 5 p.m. kicking off old-fashioned downtown Christmas.
29-30 — Horse & Carriage Rides: noon to 3 p.m., Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
30 — Photos with Santa: 1 to 3 p.m. at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and boardwalk.
DECEMBER
1 — Horse & Carriage Rides: noon to 3 p.m., Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
1 — Photos with Santa: 1 to 3 p.m. at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and boardwalk.
6 — Christmas Parade: 6 p.m. from Sixth to 11th streets on Asbury Avenue. Registration at ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
7-8 — Santa in the Downtown: 9 to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park, Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue.
7-8 — Train Show: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace.
7-8 — Horse & Carriage Rides: noon to 3 p.m., Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
7-8 — Photos with Santa: 1 to 3 p.m. at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and boardwalk.
13 — Festive Fridays: Merchants celebrate the holiday season with shopping specials. Horse & carriage rides 4 to 7 p.m., Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
14-15 — Santa in the Downtown: 9 to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park, Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue.
14-15 — Horse & Carriage Rides: noon to 3 p.m., Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
14-15 — Photos with Santa: 1 to 3 p.m. at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace.
20 — Festive Fridays: Merchants celebrate the holiday season with shopping specials. Horse & carriage rides 4 to 7 p.m., Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
21-22 — Santa in the Downtown: 9 to 11 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park, Ninth and Asbury.
21-22 — Horse & Carriage Rides: noon to 3 p.m., Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.
21-22 — Photos with Santa: 1 to 3 p.m. at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace.
31 — First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration: A complete schedule of entertainment leading up to fireworks at midnight. Visit firstnightocnj.com.
JANUARY
1 — First Day Shopping Extravaganza: Post-holiday bargains from Sixth to 14th streets on Asbury Avenue.
1 — First Day 5k Boardwalk Run: Preregistration at ocnj.us/race-events or 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. race day at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and boardalk. Race start 1 p.m.
1 — First Day at the Beach: Polar plunge, 2 p.m. at the Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and boardwalk.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff