Ocean City’s 44th annual Flower Show is set for June 3 to 5 at the resort’s Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace.It will feature artistic design arrangements and horticultural displays featuring roses, orchids, miniatures, etc. Displays from last year’s exhibit are shown above.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE MAY 30 AT VETERANS PARK
Ocean City’s annual Memorial Day Service will be held May 30 at Veterans Memorial Park, Fifth Street and Wesley Avenue, starting at 11 a.m. In the event of rain, the program will be moved across the street to the Ocean City Tabernacle auditorium.
Chief Master Sgt. (ret.) Michael Francis of the Air National Guard, veterans liaison to U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, will be guest speaker. He will talk about numerous assistance programs available to veterans.
(May 27) The colorful BUSINESS PERSONS PLUNGE will be held on Friday at noon at the Ninth Street Beach by the Music Pier. It will be preceded by lifeguards and city officials who will meet there and turn a large wooden key to officially unlock the ocean for the summer season. They also will celebrate Ocean City’s selection as “The Best Beach in America” by Coastal Living magazine.
Next up are several hundred business persons, some in suits toting briefcases, others in clothes that personify their work. The Ocean City High School Band will play “Pomp and Circumstance” as the celebrants march ceremoniously into the water to celebrate the upcoming season. They will be led by John Walton, who leads the event in a spiffy business suit carrying a flag.
You can watch the event from the beach or boardwalk. Take photos. Circulate them on Facebook. The Cumberland Regional Chorus led by Ed Sayre will perform from the loggia of the Music Pier before and after the events. For information, call John Walton (609) 338-7667.
(May 27) OCEAN CITY SURFING EXHIBIT: The Ocean City Historical Museum opens a new exhibit on the history of surfing in Ocean City on Friday, May 27. The exhibit runs through Sept. 10. Information and artifacts from the 1920s (when John Carey was an early evangelist of surfing) to the 1960s (when the Ocean City Surfing Association was first formed) will be on display. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday with extended hours 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday.
(May 28) 4th Annual MEMORIAL BEACH CHALLENGE: The event consists of team and individual entrants in three separate races: a SEAL-team inspired Obstacle Course Challenge, an Ocean Paddle Challenge and a Kids Fun Run, as well as a Patriot Ceremony to honor our veterans and fallen warriors. Race begins 7:30 a.m. at 9th St. Beach. Visit memorialbeachchallenge.com for more information.
(May 28) SINATRA AT THE SHORE with the Jersey Shore Pops, 7 p.m. at the Music Pier. A tribute to the life and times of Frank Sinatra. Featuring Peter Oprisko celebrated Sinatra performer. Program also features Linda Gentille, orchestra conductor-pianist. Tickets are $22-$40, available by credit card, call 1-800-838-3006 or at the Music Pier Box Office, cash or check only. For more information, call 800 number or visit www.jerseyshorepops.org.
(May 29) THE BUCKS COUNTY SINGERS: Continuing a tradition that has spanned more than 20 years, the Pennsylvania-based choral group will present a full concert in front of the Music Pier on Memorial Day Weekend. The performance is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Patriotic pieces, standards, show tunes and pop songs will all be a part of the lively program.
The group is directed by Terry Boyle Greenland, an accomplished vocal performer and professor at the University of the Arts. Accompanist is the talented Tom Baust. The 35-member group performs 10 concerts yearly, and holds two annual fund raisers, a fashion show and Choral Festival.
(May 31) WETLANDS CELEBRATION NIGHT, 6-7 p.m. at Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th and Simpson Ave. Event will showcase student artifacts from Wetland’s classes and field trips at the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall.
(June 2) WONDER’S BIRTHDAY BASH at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, 6th and Boardwalk. Celebrate Wonder Bear’s Birthday 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. All rides only 2 tickets. Fireworks show at 9 p.m. Rides open at 6 p.m. Wonder Bear available all night for photos.
(June 2 through the month of June) The Ocean City Fine Arts League celebrates “THE BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS OF SUMMER” at a flowers-themed art show and exhibition. There will be a “Meet the Artist Reception” and awards presentation on Fri., June 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Gallery, 608 Asbury Ave. The event is free and open to the public. All artwork is for sale. Call (609) 814-0308.
(June 3-5) OCEAN CITY FLOWER SHOW, staged by the Garden Club of Ocean City, presents its 44th Annual Exhibit at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Theme this year for the Artistic Design Division is Island Hopping, with arrangements depicting interpreting various locations like Nantucket, Bermuda, Japan, Ireland, etc. There will also be an extensive Horticultural Division featuring Roses, Shrubs, Orchids, Miniatures, etc. There will be musical entertainment by Shawn Quigley. To enter show, call Kay Reilly (609) 399-1199.
Show Hours are 2-9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. There will a Sales Center in the Pavilion of the Music Pier offering plants and flower products for sale.
(June 4) SKATO WITH KATO: A skateboard competition for all ages begins 4 p.m. at the Skate Board Park, 5th and Asbury Ave. Best Trick Awards will be given in 3 age brackets. Registration begins 3:30 p.m., entry fee $10. All proceeds benefit the Ocean City Humane Society. The event will feature music by the Sheckies. For information visit www.hsocnj.org or call (609) 399-2800.
(June 4) YOUTH EMPOWERMENT LEADERSHIP EXPLOSION: Rescheduled from May 21 due to inclement weather, this event is designed to empower our youth and give them the tools they need to thrive. It now will be held at noon Saturday June 4, at the Peck’s Beach Village Family Courtyard, 204 4th Street in Ocean City. It will include food vendors, music, prizes, and appearances by speakers talking about overcoming life’s challenges. All proceeds benefit the Maliha Chowdhury Scholarship Fund, Ocean City High School. For more information, contact Alesia Watson, executive director of the Ocean City Housing Authority at (609) 399-1062.
(June 5) CAPE SHORE CHORALE presents “On Broadway” directed by Scott J. Breiner at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 30th and Bay. Program begins 3 p.m. Admission is free. Music from a variety of Broadway Shows including the Sound of Music and Kismet. Made possible by a grant from the Cape May Cultural and Heritage Commission from funds granted by the NJ State Council on the Arts.
(June 10-16) RESTAURANT WEEK: Sit down and relax at one of Ocean City’s fine restaurants. Choose from participating members fixed price menus. Visit www.eatinocnj.com for more information.
(June 8) GRACE KELLY HIGH TEA: Tickets are now available for the second Grace Kelly High Tea set for the Flanders Hotel at 2 p.m. This year’s Tea will highlight Grace’s life as a princess in Monaco. Ken Cooper and Al Crescenzo will talk about her life as a princess. A replica of her wedding dress will be displayed as well as photos and artifacts pertaining to her reign. Tickets are $35 for members, $38 general admission. No tickets sold at the door. Call (609) 399-1801.
HERE ARE JUST A FEW UPCOMING PROGRAMS at the Ocean City Free Public Library, 17th and Simpson Ave: June 2, 4 p.m., The Adult Health and Well Being Series continues with “Improve Your Financial Awareness,” learn about identity fraud and wealth planning; June 2, 6:30 p.m., Sean Gaskell and the Music of the Kora, an educational demonstration of an ancient, 21-Stringed West African Harp; June 14 and 15, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day, AARP Smart Driving Course; June 15, 5 to 8 p.m. Game Night for Grown-Ups, play table top games, meet new people; June 16, noon to 4 p.m. Bloomsday Celebration, honoring James Joyce through readings, music, artwork, discussion. For information, call (609) 399-2434, Ext. 5222 or email jbrown@oceancitylibrary.org.
NOTE: The Music Pier Box Office is now open weekends. During the week O.C. Pops, 0.C. Theatre tickets, etc. are available at City Hall Welcome Center, 9th St. entrance, Bridge Welcome Center or call (609) 399-6111. Tickets available online at www.ocnj.us/boxoffice. Monday Night Series tickets sold at Box Office only.
NEVER SWIM AT AN UNGUARDED BEACH. PASS THE WORD!