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SEPTEMBER 1, 2023
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Oceans Calling deal awaits one signature Tourism staff, event promoter meshing well as they handle festival’s remaining details By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Sept. 1, 2023) The countdown is on for the Oceans Calling Festival in downtown Ocean City, and as of earlier this week, resort officials were awaiting a signed contract from promoter C3 Presents. Tom Perlozzo, the city’s tourism and development director, said Wednesday that the document, which outlines the shared and allocated responsibilities between the parties for the three-day event, was in the hands of C3. The festival, which will feature dozens of big-name bands on three stages set up in the inlet lot and surrounding beach, is slated for Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.
The working contract is based on the same memorandum of understanding created for the festival that was canceled last year because of stormy weather. The current contract has been edited several times since the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners granted organizers a promoter’s liquor license with an expanded footprint, said City Solicitor Heather Stansbury. Perlozzo opened with the contract status in his update about the music festival See CITY Page 4
School begins Tuesday for 7,141 county kids No kickoff for employees as system adjusts to flat budget imposed by commissioners
PHOTO COURTESY CONNIE ALDERFER
CARAVAN OVER SAND
Jeeps drive north near the inlet during a beach crawl on the first day of Ocean City Jeep Fest last Thursday morning. Scores of Jeeps participated in sand parades each morning during the four-day weekend event.
By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Sept. 1, 2023) As summer winds down, the first day of school approaches, and students may harbor mixed feelings as they look back on the three fleeting months of break. For them, the return on Sept. 5 could make for an abrupt adjustment. Teachers and school personnel, however, have been preparing for the past two weeks, with Worcester County Public
Schools’ Facebook posting pictures of bus inspections on Aug. 22 and a welcome meeting for new support staff on Aug. 23. Employees of the public school system will have to do without the traditional kick-off event for staff because it was canceled due to the maintenance of effort funding Worcester County Commissions provided the school system this year. Wednesday night brought along several back-to-school events for students and families, including the Pocomoke Block Party and the Big Bash for all Stephen Decatur schools. On Thursday, Ocean City Elementary See CAREER Page 6
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The Ocean City Boardwalk is home to many of the local businesses, restaurants, and hotels that tourists from all around flock to every year.
Mixed reports received from local businesses pre-holiday By Remy Andersen Staff Writer (Sept. 1, 2023) Like most summer seasons, the one now wrapping up had moments of financial volatility, with local businesses, restaurants, and hotels, suffering from poor weather at the start of the season before bouncing back after June. “It seems as though the oceanfront hotels/motels fared better than others,” said Susan Jones, the executive director of the Ocean City HotelMotel-Restaurant Association. “We have a huge variety of restaurants and some have been okay, while others stated it felt a little soft. In speaking with a couple of attraction members, they were happy with the clientele.” As with Memorial Day, Labor Day is weather-dependent as some
schools are already back in session. “Time will tell, depending on the sunshine outlook,” Jones said of the holiday weekend’s prospects. Apart from weather, the biggest factor that brings people down to the resort town is time. “Labor Day is a quick driving trip to many metro areas, so it is easy to hop in the car if the forecast is good,” Jones said. “Additionally, disposable income is a factor and impacts of inflation and increased cost of running a household is still at the forefront of travel decisions.” While July’s room tax has yet to be reported, the room tax reported for both May and June of this year was up considerably over the year before. Ocean City has been collecting Airbnb, VRBO, and short-term rental See BUSINESSES Page 8
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