Downtown Ocean City has everything
Discover fun, food, shopping, events and entertainment in downtown OC
When does the summer season start in Ocean City? Different people have different answers to that seemingly simple question. For some, it is a meteorological answer, tied to the solstice on June 20. For others, the season in OC has always been marked by the Memorial Day Holiday.
Employers may tell you it’s the first weekend the seasonal employees start. With the ever-growing shoulder season, some say it’s a festival like Springfest or Boardwalk Rock. No matter what indicator you use, it’s clear that the summer season has arrived and we
are ready for it in Downtown Ocean City.
As June rolls in, expect to see "June Bugs" — that is, carloads of recent high school graduates heading to the beach after their schools wrap up in early to midJune. This marks a shift from weekend family visits, which depend upon good weather, to week-long family vacations in Ocean City, often booked months in advance.
Sunbathers, sandcastles, beach umbrellas, and lifeguard stands become regular sights along the Boardwalk as the weather warms up and the water becomes more inviting. For many, June is the ideal time to visit Ocean City.
Downtown Ocean City had a bustling May, featur-
ing events like the Boardwalk Rock Festival, Cruisin’ Ocean City, and Jeep Week, although Jeep Week technically runs until June 1.
However, June will also bring exciting happenings, starting with the Sand Duels Beach Soccer Tournament on the first weekend. Soccer enthusiasts can catch youth and adult teams competing in 5-on-5 matches on the beach between Wicomico and North Division Streets, making it the largest beach soccer event in the area. Soccer fans can experience further action with the Beach 5 Sand Soccer Series on June 21 between Dorchester and North Division Streets. The OC Air Show returns to June this year (June Continued on page 6
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Downtown Events
June 2025
May 29 – June 1
Jeep Week
A celebration of everything Jeep. Enjoy parades, vendors, and a sand course on the beach. Events will take place throughout town. For more information, visit www.ocmdjeepweek.com.
June 2
“Sun and Sand: 100 Years of Bathing Suits”
The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum will open their newest exhibit, which will showcase 100 years of bathing suits. The exhibit will feature historical examples of bathing suits from the late 1800’s through the 1990’s. Visitors will learn about how swimwear reflected social norms throughout this 100-year period. More info is available at www.ocmuseum.org
June 8
OC Cruzers on Somerset Plaza
The OC Cruzers start their series of classic car shows on Somerset Plaza for the 2025 season. These shows are family friendly and free to the public. Stroll Somerset
Plaza and check out an array of classics, hot rods, and custom cars. The June 8th show will have live music from Full Circle Dou. Shows take place from 3:00-6:00 PM on Somerset Street between the Boardwalk and Baltimore Ave.
June 13
Book Signing “Return of the Terns”
Stop by book signing and program at the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum and learn about the efforts to save island birds. Co-Author of “Return of the Terns” will be on hand to sign copies of the book, which is an illustrated book perfect for young readers. Event takes place from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM. More info at www.ocmuseum.org
June 14 – June 15
OC Air Show
One of the most exciting weekends of the year, the annual OC Air Show will bring jet fights, stunt pilots and other aeronautical acrobats to Ocean City. This year show is headlined by the Blue Angels, with support from F-16 Viper
Demo Team, West Point Parachute Team, A-10 Thunderbolts and many more. Fun for all ages, this show has premier tickets available at the 16th street staging area at www.air.show/oceancity
June 15
OC Cruzers on Somerset Plaza
The OC Cruzers continue their series of classic car shows on Somerset Plaza for the 2025 season. These shows are family friendly and free to the public. Stroll Somerset Plaza and check out an array of classics, hot rods, and custom cars. The June 8th show will have a DJ spinning tunes. Shows take place from 3:00-6:00 PM.
June 18
MSFA Firemen’s Parade
The fire engines and firemen will line up at the inlet parking lot at 1:00 PM and run along Baltimore Avenue between 16th and 30th Streets. You’ll see fire engines of various types from stations from all over Maryland.
June 20
International Horseshoe Crab Day
Taking place from 11Am to 12 PM, the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum will be celebrating International Horseshoe Crab Day with a special program featuring the truly unique “living fossil” that is the Horseshoe Crab. More info available at www.ocmuseum.org
OC Cruzers will appear on Somerset Plaza June 8 and 15 as part of a summer tradition of
classic cars lining up for inspection downtown.
SPECIALS
SUNDAY $5 Bloodys & Mimosas Til’ 3pm Late Night Happy Hour 10pm-Close
MONDAY 1/2-Price Wings Til’ 6pm • $4.50 Konas
$4 Coronas, Konas & Grenades 9:30pm-1:30am
TUESDAY $2.25 Tacos • 25% Off Quesadillas • $4 Modelo
$6 Corazon Margaritas Til’ 6pm
$4.50 White Claw, Deep Eddy & Watermelon Old Smokey 9:30pm-1:30am
WEDNESDAY 1/2-Price Burgers • $4.50 Konas & Select
Air show returns to OC’s skies
Continued from Page 1
14-15) after being rescheduled last year to August to ensure top quality talent for the event. Expect thrilling aerial displays from top military and stunt pilots, with practice runs throughout the week leading up to the main event on the weekend. Highlights this year include the return of the Blue Angels, the F-16 Viper Demo Team, the West Point Parachute Team, and many more world class aeronautical acts.
include the OC Life-Saving Station Museum, Jolly Roger rides at the pier, Trimper Rides at the inlet, and numerous arcades — because games are more fun in person!
Feeling hungry after a day in the sun? A food tour of Ocean City offers everything from classic Boardwalk treats like caramel popcorn, saltwater taffy, fries, and pizza to upscale steaks and seafood with stunning waterfront views.
While the planes can be viewed for free throughout most of town, tickets to the best viewing locations are for sale on the promoter’s website and are well worth the upgrade.
In addition to these highlights, Downtown Ocean City will host the Firemen's Parade on Baltimore Avenue (June 18) as an extension of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MFSA) Convention at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center (June 15-19) and the OC Cruzers car shows on Somerset Plaza.
For more details, check the events calendar in this edition of Discover Downtown. June is also a great time for a downtown tour, with local companies offering walking tours that explore haunted sites, maritime history, and culinary delights.
If you miss any of June's special events, don’t fret. As an accredited Main Street Maryland community, Downtown Ocean City has plenty to offer. Start with the beach — miles of clean, well-maintained shoreline perfect for strolling, sunbathing, or boogie boarding.
Unlike some coastal towns, our beaches are always free. Plus, Ocean City has a beach bonfire program. Permits are required, so visit www.ocbonfires.com for details.
If you’re ready for a break from the beach, don’t miss our world-class Boardwalk, nearly three miles long and filled with rides, arcades, museums, shops, bars, and restaurants. Highlights
Thirsty? Downtown Ocean City has a variety of local bars, especially around Wicomico Street, and bayside dock bars where you can enjoy drinks alongside breathtaking sunsets. Many establishments feature lively entertainment schedules, as well.
Still have energy to burn? Head to the bayside for Jetski rentals or book a tour on an ocean-going powerboat. The recently renovated Bayside Park at 3rd Street features the country’s oldest municipal skate park, the Ocean Bowl Skate Park, along with basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts.
You can also stroll along the small boardwalk on the bay for fishing, walking, or stunning sunset viewing. For a more adventurous outing, consider chartering a fishing boat to catch tuna or marlin.
Ocean City features several bike rental shops, so rent a bike and explore downtown and the Boardwalk. Watch out for pedestrians, and make sure your only on the Boardwalk from 2 a.m. to noon.
For more information and local recommendations for just about anything in the downtown area, visit the Boardwalk Info Cottage located between North Division and Caroline Streets.
If you’re visiting Downtown Ocean City for the first time, welcome! We hope you enjoy your stay. If it’s your first visit, it certainly won’t be your last. And if you miss any of June’s events, don’t worry—there’s a full schedule of
The Boardwalk Information Cottage, located on the Boardwalk between Division Street and Caroline Street in Downtown Ocean City, provides the opportunity to speak with a friendly local who knows the town inside and out.
Celebrate resort’s heritage with a visit to new museum
Step into the heart of Ocean City’s history at the brand-new Museum of Ocean City, located at 217 South Baltimore Ave. Tthe museum celebrated its grand opening to the public on May 1, with free admission and a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials, residents, supporters, and history enthusiasts.
The museum is housed in the meticulously restored 1910 McGregor Building that later became the Bank of Ocean City. This renovated landmark offers an immersive journey through the town’s transformation from a quaint seaside resort to a vibrant vacation destination.
Museum Curator Christine Okerblom expressed enthusiasm about the museum’s role in preserving and sharing the town’s unique stories. “This renovation allows us to bring our history to life in new and exciting ways,” she remarked.
The museum features a variety of exhibits that bring Ocean City’s past to life. Explore the “Assateague People and Their Landscape,” delve into “Historic Downtown People and Places,” learn about native wildlife, and discover the evolution of local hotels and restaurants. Interactive displays and engaging narratives create a vivid picture of the town’s heritage. Artifacts such as a 1911 baking powder tin, a 1916 bank ledger, and vintage photographs provide tangible connections to the past.
History enthusiasts and researchers can take advantage of the museum’s second floor research and artifact storage space, accessible by appointment only. Here, visitors can access a wealth of historical records, photographs, and postcards, offering deeper insights into Ocean City’s storied past.
The museum also plans to host book signings with local authors, preservation workshops, and other programs and events focused on the town’s cultural and natural history. Keep an eye out for them at www.ocmuseum.org/events.
Another location drawing you into the past is the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum. Nestled at the southern tip of Ocean City’s famous Boardwalk, this museum offers a powerful glimpse into the brave men, daring rescues, and rich maritime culture that shaped Maryland’s coastal legacy.
Built in 1891 as part of the U.S. Life-Saving Service — the precursor to today’s Coast Guard — the station once served as a vital outpost where surfmen patrolled stormy shores, risking their lives to rescue shipwrecked sailors. Today, the carefully restored building invites visitors of all ages to explore that heritage through engaging exhibits, authentic artifacts, and hands-on displays.
The moment you step inside, it’s like crossing into another century. The museum’s wooden walls whisper stories of nautical valor, while the surfboat and breeches buoy on display showcase the tools used in daring rescues. One of the most compelling exhibits tells the story of the 1933 hurricane that forever changed Ocean City by carving a new inlet and setting the course for making the town a thriving resort.
Children can delight in kidfriendly exhibits, marvel at the aquariums filled with local sea life, and even watch live feedings. On June 13 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the museum will host a book signing with Kim Abplanalp, co-author of the children’s book, Return of the Terns: How Scientists Are Saving Island Birds. A hands-on program from Maryland Coastal Bays will start at 11:30 on that day.
The museum’s newest exhibit is scheduled to open on June 2. “Sun and Sand: 100 Years of Bathing Suits” showcases a hundred years of bathing suits and offers an up-close look at both men and women’s swimwear from the late 1800s through the 1990s.
Visitors will have the chance to see how swimwear reinvents itself through the decades, reflecting costumes, status, and social norms. This exhibit is included in paid admission to the museum.
Both museums are open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all the summer long. Admission costs are $6 for adults, $4 for veterans, active military, seniors, and youth ages 12-18, and free for children 11 and younger, making this an affordable experience for the whole family. You can find out more information about the Museum of Ocean City and the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum at
The red fox still counts downtown as home.
State Sen. Mary Beth Carozza offers remarks at the museum’s formal opening.
On display in the museum is this upright piano from the Henry Hotel.
J1 students bolster Ocean City’s workforce
By Kimberly Henn Contributing Writer
Have you ever wondered why your morning coffee was served in a Romanian accent, or noticed that the front desk clerk at your hotel spoke three languages?
If you’ve spent a summer in Ocean City, chances are high you’ve crossed paths with some remarkable young people from around the world. Each year, our beach town quietly transforms into an international hub thanks to the Summer Work Travel Program, a Bridge USA initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs.
Through this program, thousands of university students from across the globe come to live and work in the U.S. for up to four months during their school’s summer break. You’ll find them scooping ice cream, bussing tables, selling sunglasses, or ringing up groceries. They are gaining real-world experience, practicing their English, and building connections that can last a lifetime.
The program allows young people, many of whom would not otherwise have the financial means, to experience the United States while earning money to help offset the significant cost of participation. Jobs must be seasonal, unskilled, and must not displace American workers.
These exchange visitors provide much-needed support to local businesses during their busiest season, specifically in tourism-driven communities like Ocean City. In fact, in 2024, Ocean City welcomed over 3,000 exchange visitors, the highest number in the country. Employers benefit from having dependable summer staff, and the local economy thrives
from the increased staffing and spending. In 2023 alone, Bridge USA participants contributed more than $811 million to the U.S. economy, all at no cost to the American taxpayer.
But the impact goes far beyond the job site. The Summer Work Travel Program is about people-topeople connection. It’s about breaking down stereotypes, expanding worldviews, and forming friendships that cross oceans and time zones. This is a cultural exchange program after all, and participants are required to engage with American life beyond work. That might mean sharing a meal with a local family, visiting a museum, going to a concert, or watching fireworks on the Fourth of July. These exchange visitors return home with a deeper understanding of American life, and we, through our everyday interactions, get a small window into the wider world. It’s a reminder that people to people exchange builds bridges in ways no policy ever could.
While in the U.S., all exchange visitors are under the care of a designated program sponsor—a U.S.based organization approved by the Department of State. Sponsors that help with everything from job placement and housing to safety and cultural integration. Ultimately, sponsors are responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of each participant.
That’s where I come in.
I’m a director with ASSE Aspire, an affiliate of ASSE International, a nonprofit organization with decades of experience in youth exchange. Aspire’s mission is rooted in supporting Summer Work Travel students and the communities that host them and today we place more students in Ocean City than any other sponsor organization.
Before joining Aspire, I was an employer here in
Ocean City and had the privilege of working alongside hundreds of these exchange visitors. My businesses benefitted from their hard work, and my worldview grew thanks to the conversations we shared. Now, in my role as a sponsor representative, I get to be part of each student’s journey from preparing them for life in the U.S. to supporting them during their stay and hearing their reflections before they head home.
The work/travel program that brings international students to Ocean City includes a visit to Washington D.C. and cultural centers around the country.
Students work hard at beach
These exchange visitors aren’t just passing through. They’re here chasing the same kind of summer many of us grew up with. They’re working hard, saving up, living with roommates, and navigating a new world far from home. They’ve invested a lot to be here, financially and emotionally.
If you’re curious about the program, interested in hosting exchange visitors, or want to get involved in supporting them during their stay, stop by and say hello. ASSE Aspire’s local office is located at 5000 Coastal Highway and we’d love to meet you.
You can also connect with the Greater Ocean City Community Sup-
port Group of which I am a Co-Chair. It is the first and one of the most active Community Support Groups in the country. Our group is made up of local residents who help provide a warm welcome to students through volunteer-led events, outings, and educational activities. If you’re interested in joining, please feel free to contact me. We’d love to have you on board.
After all, behind every accent is a story and a student who’s working hard, learning fast, and making Ocean City their summer home. Let’s treat them as just that: another kid in the neighborhood, here for a season they’ll never forget.
International students brought to the country under a work/travel program celebrate their temporary home.
OCDC grant programs could help downtown businesses
From a new roof and siding to business fit out, OCDC provides financial help to revitalize Downtown Ocean City.
Is the exterior of your home or business looking a little rundown? Perhaps your siding is faded and damaged, your roof has lost too many shingles this past winter, or maybe your drafty front door is practically air conditioning the outdoors.
Maybe you want to open a new business, but the cost of rent makes the interior fit out of your commercial space cost prohibitive. With the rise in construction prices, your renovations could drive you into the red. Perhaps your solution is to utilize one of the many grant programs that the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) has to offer residents and businesses in Downtown Ocean City.
If business is your thing, you should know that assisting businesses in Downtown Ocean City has always been a mission of the OCDC. With all the new grant opportunities available from the OCDC, there’s no time like the present to renovate that commercial property or open a new business in a downtown location.
Perhaps you’ve been eyeing a certain vacant property and imagining it as a
new coffee shop, a restaurant, or a surf shop. Or maybe you’ve walked past a construction site and wondered if you could do the same for an older property. Whatever your line of business is, the OCDC may be able to contribute some funding to bring that business to life.
The OCDC has been helping businesses with renovations for the past two decades. From the Boardwalk to the bay, we have provided grant funding to assist with major construction projects in the downtown area. The OCDC sees the importance of putting a fresh face on current businesses and helping new or expanding businesses with reactivating vacant commercial spaces. We want to see Downtown Ocean City become more attractive while still retaining its turn of the 20th century charm.
But we don’t provide our funding to businesses only. The OCDC provides several grant programs to help fix up homes, apartments, small condominiums, rental units, and workforce housing. We feel that a revitalized community requires ample residential properties that are safe, attractive, and energy efficient.
That’s why we created our grant programs to help revitalize residential and commercial properties in our area. The OCDC hosts fundraising events and
OCDC offers aid to businesses
seeks grants from local and state governments to make these programs possible.
To date, hundreds of properties have received our assistance. In fact, you probably can’t walk down any street in Downtown Ocean City without see a property that one of our programs has helped to improve. Here’s a rundown of what the OCDC has to offer businesses who qualify for our grant programs.
Business Assistance: Up to $10,000 to help businesses build out interior spaces of downtown locations; can be used by owners starting a new business or existing businesses expanding to a new location.
Commercial Façade Improvement: Up to $10,000 to help businesses make exterior improvements to their buildings; examples include rollup doors, awnings, siding, railings, porches, windows, and doors. Businesses can stack this program with other programs at the OCDC.
Façade Improvement: Up to $7,500 to help make exterior improvements to your building, such as new siding, railings, porches, windows, and doors.
Green Building Initiatives: Up to $7,500 to improve the energy efficiency of your building, such as installing new windows, doors, and improved insulation.
Roof Improvement: Up to
$2,000 to replace a roof.
Streetside Fence: Up to $2,000 to install or replace a fence.
Downtown Lights: Up to $500 to install new exterior lights or upgrade current ones. The goal is to light up dark areas throughout the downtown area.
Development and Assistance (Workforce Housing): Up to $25,000 for property owners to develop new employee housing, rehabilitate existing employee housing, or convert existing properties into employee housing. This can be accessory or non-accessory workforce housing located at the place of business or at a separate property.
These grant programs are restricted to downtown properties generally located south of 17th Street. Other eligibility requirements must be met, as well. If you want to apply, please make sure you contact the OCDC before beginning any construction work. You may contact the Program Manager, David Noonan, at (410) 289-7739 or david@ocdc.org to start your application.
Funding for these programs are in part provided by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Main Street Maryland Program, Worcester County, the Town of Ocean City, and the fundraising efforts of the OCDC.
