Bronco Beach Bash coming to Ocean City

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer

(July 21, 2023) The increasing popularity of the new Ford Bronco has prompted a local event promoter to invite owners of the niche vehicles to celebrate their common taste in SUVs during an Ocean City fall weekend that was previously reserved for Corvettes.

At a meeting Monday, council members approved a private event request for the first-ever Bronco Beach Bash, set Oct. 14 and 15, on the south end of the inlet lot, and beach from 29th Street to the end of the Boardwalk.

Brad Hoffman, the CEO of event producer Live Wire Media, presented plans for the new event, which he said is the first of its kind to be held on a beach nationwide.

“We could be on the front side of something with this event,” Hoffman said.

He is expecting between 300 and 400 Broncos to take part in a beach obstacle course, similar to the one set up for Jeep Week, and beach-based parades. The event will also feature vendor tents and other accompanying festival-style offerings.

Hoffman said Bronco owners have committed copious amounts of effort and money to outfit their vehicles, which have made a comeback from the old versions that were popular in the ’90s.

Craig Huffnagle, the owner of Krawl Works Motorsports in Pennsylvania, is hosting the event with Hoffman. He said Monday that Bronco owners are customizing their vehicles similar to Jeeps, and that the market is growing fast.

“It’s never ending,” he said. “It’s going to be amazing.”

Hoffman also said that Special Events Director Frank Miller fully supports the Bronco event, especially since it is scheduled for the former Corvette weekend. City staff learned several months ago that the organizer of the annual show decided not to bring the event back to Ocean City this year.

“[Miller] felt this was a niche event that could fill that void,” Hoffman said.

According to a staff report, the organizer is paying the town more than $4,000 in private event and asset and support fees to put on the Bronco Beach Bash.