Will More Free Special Events Hurt Boardwalk Businesses?

OCEAN CITY — While most agree the value-added free special events on many nights throughout the summer season are successful in enhancing the visitor experience in Ocean City, a new perspective on their possible detriment for Boardwalk merchants and other businesses in the resort was revealed this week.

Ocean City’s Tourism Committee this week got a first look at the proposed 100 Nights of Lights free special event proposed for the downtown Boardwalk area this summer. TEAM Productions, which produces many of the value-added special events throughout the summer including the weekly fireworks and laser shows along with other events such as Sundaes in the Park at Northside Park and Octoberfest events in the fall, for example, first pitched the 100 Nights of Lights event to the Mayor and Council two weeks ago.

The event would light up the downtown sky several times each night from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The proposed special event would feature a dozen large spotlights with filters of various colors lighting up the beach and Boardwalk about every 20 minutes from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night, creating iconic images and enhancing the Boardwalk experience for visitors and residents alike. The spotlights could be mounted on lifeguard chairs along the Boardwalk or on portable supports.

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