Ocean City’s 2017 Calendar of Events is Taking Shape

OC-Con Comic Convention

The shortest days of the year are behind us and we’ve crossed over into the New Year. That means it’s not too early to start planning for some fun in Ocean City in 2017!

Here is a look at events coming up this month:

Jan. 14: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony: 1 p.m. at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School. Please use the Sixth Street entrance. This ceremony includes a recitation of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, music and reflections on King’s life and legacy. Immediately following the ceremony, stay and enjoy a free Soul Food Dinner. The Southern style comfort menu will include fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, corn bread, collard greens and more. Everybody is encouraged to attend this free community event. For information, call (609) 399-6111.

Jan. 14-15: “Pinkalicious”: The Ocean City Theatre Company presents a musical production based on the popular book series by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann. The show tells the story of Pinkalicious, a girl who can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Shows are free at noon Saturday and Sunday at the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall in the Ocean City Free Public Library (17th Street and Simpson Avenue).

Jan 16: Dr. Martin Luther King Day Of Service: You are invited to contribute to a day of service in Dr. King’s honor. The event consists of a city-wide cleanup from 9 a.m. until noon. Sign up and pick up supplies at the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center, located within the Community Center at 18th Street and Simpson Avenue. A complimentary lunch at the Senior Center follows the cleanup. Call (609) 399-6111 for more information.

Here’s an early look at a few other key dates for the first half of the year:

April 1-2: Two events that debuted last year – Girls Weekend and the OC-Con Comic Convention – return bigger and better.

April 8: Humor and nostalgia join forces as the Mr. Mature Pageant moves to Doo Dah Parade Weekend. All pageant contestants will be part of the parade.

April 16: The Easter Fashion Promenade will welcome the Philly Keys, a dueling piano show, in front of the Ocean City Music Pier.

May 6: The Spring Block Party takes place on its traditional date on the first Saturday of May.

May 10: Tickets are on sale now for Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience. Visit www.ocnj.us/boxoffice.

May 13: Philadelphia Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos (anybody remember the impromptu tryouts on the sideline when he broke his wrist this fall?) will help make sure we see an early summer on Martin Z. Mollusk Day. He returns that night for a magic show.

July 22: Mark your calendars for the highlight of the summer, Night In Venice.