Businesses hope it is sign of good things to come
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
OCEAN CITY — Easter weekend is the traditional time for many summer residents to open their homes for the season and take part in the family-fun activities hosted by the city.
It’s also the time many merchants begin opening their shops for the weekends through spring.
With Easter coming late this year, city merchants and the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce decided to have two weekends of celebrations starting with The Great Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 27.
This year the traditional beach event moved onto the boardwalk, where participating merchants provided eggs filled with treats and surprises to children.
Michele Gillian, the chamber’s executive director, said the city had a “very good weekend” and she hopes it was a preview of the summer.
“The downtown was very busy. We had a great turnout Saturday and it was a little slow Sunday but the boardwalk hit it out of the park with the Easter egg hunt,” Gillian said.
She said the new egg hunt was well-received.
“People liked it and it was a great way to get people to participate in the local tourism industry on the boardwalk and visit their favorite stores,” Gillian said.
Despite a fire over the winter, Playland’s Castaway Cove was offering rides at its amusement park. Likewise, Gillian’s Wonderland Pier was up and running.
“People are ready to get out and ready to start the season,” Gillian said. “After a slow start last summer, it was a welcome boost for the boardwalk merchants.”
Gillian said city merchants put a lot of energy into getting ready to open last year only to have the COVID-outbreak delay their start, then allow only limited capacity for the remainder of the summer.
“With the season starting in March, hopefully it will be a nice jump and help with business for 2021 on the boardwalk and downtown,” Gillian said.
Many tourists are feeling pent-up energy and desire to visit the shore.
“During the stay-in-place order last year, March through June, people stayed pretty much in their homes then we saw an uptick, but people are ready to get out,” she said. “The boardwalk is a great place to visit stores but also a place for recreation such as riding bikes, walking and going on the beach. People can also go to the back bays for fishing or crabbing and fun things with boating.”
She said the city is ready for them.
“The City of Ocean City has done a great job preparing for 2021. The merchants helped guide us through 2020. The business community helped with interpretation of what the governor wanted and keeping everyone safe, but they were able to take party only in outdoor activities,” Gillian said. “This year outdoor and indoor activities are available and we hope it’s getting back to the way it was in 2019.”
More events are scheduled for this weekend.
The Great Egg Hunt is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 3. Boardwalk merchants will provide children with a second opportunity to participate in an egg hunt. Fliers will direct families to participating stores.
A traditional nondenominational Easter Sunrise Service is scheduled to begin at 6:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and boardwalk. Call (609) 399-6111 for more information.
The same day,The Philly Keys will perform Dueling Pianos starting at noon in front of the Music Pier. The Philly Keys will take a break for the Easter Fashion Stroll and then resume.
Come dressed in your Easter best for Easter Fashion Stroll in front of the Music Pier. Judging begins at 1 p.m. Prizes awarded for Best Dressed Children, Teen, Adults and Family. For more information, call (609) 399-6111.
