“Due to the passing storm and the probable residual effects of the weather, including wind and rain, it would be logistically challenging to hold the fireworks shows on Friday,” commented Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. “We are expecting some wet weather on Thursday night and into Friday morning, which makes it nearly impossible to set-up the fireworks show on the beach in enough time for Friday night. Alternatively, the weather over the weekend looks beautiful so Saturday is the safest choice.”
Aside from the date change, operations for the holiday will remain mostly the same. The Town of Ocean City will still host celebrations in two great locations offering music and fireworks displays for free. At Northside Park, 125th Street and the bay, patriotic music will begin at 8 p.m. with the spectacular fireworks display lighting up the sky at 9:30 p.m. The U.S. Army Drum Downrange and Baylee Morrison will not perform.
On the south end of town, you can head to Ocean City’s famous Boardwalk with its bright lights, assortment of food, family fun and more fantastic fireworks. Performing the first show on the new Caroline Street Stage, Frankie & the Pack will take the stage at 8 p.m. with fireworks filling the sky beginning at 9:30 p.m.
The $50 flat-fee for all day parking in the Inlet Lot will now be applied on July 5. The fee, which is good for one-entry, will allow visitors to come as early as 5:30 a.m. and stay as late as midnight, without being charged an hourly parking rate. In addition, a late entry fee will be permitted based on availability at 3 p.m. for a fee of $30, also allowing one-entry only. Once the lot fills, visitors will be encouraged to use neighboring parking lots, including Worcester Street, Somerset Street, Dorchester Street, North Division Street, 4th Street and the West Ocean City Park & Ride. The normal “ticketed” parking operations will return at 12 a.m. on July 6.
Parking is extremely limited at both locations. It is recommended that visitors take the bus. Bus service is $3 ride all day. The West Ocean City Park & Ride on Route 50 is just west of the Route 50 Bridge and offers free parking and $3 ride-all-day shuttle service to downtown. Also, area boaters should note that on the evening of July 5, the span of the Route 50 Bridge will remain closed to marine traffic at the usually scheduled 10:25 p.m. and 10:55 p.m. opening times. The Route 50 Bridge will reopen for boaters at 11:25 p.m. on the evening of July 5.
“The expected weather left a lot of uncertainty and several logistical complications on Friday evening,” Meehan continued. “We know a lot of our guests are traveling a long distance to watch our holiday celebration and we would hate to have had to disappoint them. The weather for Saturday, on the other hand, looks beautiful.
With a beautiful setting and two great fireworks events, we hope our guests will come early and stay late to celebrate America’s birthday at the beach.”
For more information about the holiday activities, call Town of Ocean City Communications Manager, Jessica Waters, at 410.289.8967.
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4 comments:
I have to agree with Ocean City on this one.
I'm not sure on this call. One side of me thinks it's a bit premature and the other says maybe it's a good idea. I think I would have waited until tomorrow to decide.
Nuts. At this point in time it is too premature. Call should be made tomorrow evening.
For a $50 parking fee I think I will just stay home watch Obama make an ass of himself.
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