Patriotic Fun Set In Ocean City For July

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City is planning special events from Wednesday, July 1, through Monday, July 6, as the city celebrates Fourth of July weekend and the nation’s 250th anniversary. The schedule includes free family activities, concerts, parades, fireworks and the start of a weekly patriotic drone show.

The lineup begins July 1 with Beach Exercise — Pilates Yoga at 8 a.m. at the beach at Sixth Street, followed by the Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon at the Ocean City Tabernacle grounds at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue. Wacky Wednesday starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier with a pie-eating contest open to all ages and limited to the first 150 participants. A Freckle Contest follows that evening, with registration at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Music Pier and the contest at 6 p.m. Family Night on the Boardwalk will place entertainers between Sixth Street and 14th Street, and a free guided Beach Walk begins at 6:30 p.m. near 59th Street and Central Avenue.

On Thursday, July 2, the Sixth Street Beach will host a free Sand-Sculpting Contest starting at 9 a.m., with judging by 11 a.m. Market Days will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the downtown shopping district along Asbury Avenue. Mummers Night will bring string bands to the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14th Street from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. At 8 p.m., the Ocean City Pops will perform a free outdoor concert at Carey Stadium, followed by a patriotic drone show above the beach and Boardwalk.

The holiday schedule continues July 3 with Beach Exercise — Low Impact and the Walking Club, both beginning at 8 a.m. at the Music Pier area. That night, Broadway Under the Stars will be performed at Carey Stadium at 8 p.m. Ticket information is available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

On July 4, three bike parades are scheduled in the Gardens, South Ocean City and Riviera neighborhoods, each with morning or midday registration and parade times. The Greater Kensington String Band will perform outside the Ocean City Music Pier at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Ocean City Pops will give a free outdoor concert at 8 p.m. at Carey Stadium, and fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. from a barge off Ninth Street. The city says the show will be best viewed from the beach or Boardwalk between Fifth Street and 14th Street.

The events continue after the holiday. Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA Performing with the OC POPs is set for 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at the Music Pier. On Monday, July 6, Bruce in the USA begins at 7 p.m. at the Music Pier. Also on July 6, Ocean City will begin its “America 250: Lights Over Ocean City Drone Show,” a 15-minute weekly show after dusk on seven Mondays through Aug. 17. According to the schedule, the event is supported by a $25,000 grant from the Cape May County Board of Commissioners, sponsorships from Boardwalk merchants and city funding.