Ocean City, Maryland – (October 10, 2016): O.C.toberfest is back and bigger than ever with spooktacular town events, providing numerous activities for the whole family! Filling the fall season, O.C.toberfest offers music, competitions, unique attractions and children’s activities on October 22-23 and October 29-30. Halloween offerings, a craft beer festival and a costume pageant for pets make O.C.toberfest a “must-do” for residents and visitors looking for a few fantastic festivities to celebrate the fall season.
Most O.C.toberfest events (listed below) are free, thanks to funding from the Town of Ocean City and various event sponsors. For additional information on O.C.toberfest, please visit www.ococean.com.
- HALLOWEEN BEACH MAZE – Located at North Division Street and the Boardwalk.
Come experience the thrill of a giant Halloween Beach Maze during its two weekend run, October 22-23 and October 29-30. Children of all ages, can enjoy a pleasant scream as they meander the sands of the giant, bigger and better beach maze! Wicked witches, pirates of the sand, scary scarecrows, ghouls in the graveyard, creepy clowns, zombies and more will add to the excitement. Hours are 10am to 5pm on Saturdays and 10am to 3pm on Sundays. The maze will be open an additional hour until 6pm on the 29th leading up to the OC Fright Lights laser show and fireworks. Admission is free of charge.
- BOUNCING ON THE BEACH – Located on the beach on the north side of the amusement pier. Two terrific inflatable bonce houses and slides will provide an additional way to burn off you children’s energy. A 5-in-1 combo and Tropical Wave Slide will be available Saturday and Sunday both weekends; 10am-5pm on Saturdays and 10am to 3pm on Sundays. Saturday, October 29 will add an additional hour until 6pm as we build momentum to the evening’s finale event: OC Fright Lights! Admission is free of charge and paid for by the Hotel Motel Restaurant Association.
- OC SCREAMS –14 Worcester Street and Corner of Baltimore Avenue.
A new breed of fear washes up on the sands of Ocean City Maryland with the two-story “Ocean City Screams” at OCScreams.com – the area’s biggest, scariest, most intense, state-of-the-art in-door haunted house ever built in Ocean City Maryland. OC Screams was designed, built and is operated by the creators of Field of Screams Maryland and Scream City Washington DC. Let Ocean City Screams haunted house be on the top of your list of things to do in Ocean City Maryland! Tickets may be purchased online. OC Screams is open from 6pm to 11pm, October 21, 22, 28 and 29. Entry is $20 per person.
- BIG TOYS ON THE BOARDWALK – Located on the boardwalk around the amusement pier and Inlet Parking Lot.
Here is an experience for the kid in all of us young or old. Ocean City will line the walkway around the amusement pier with vehicles to touch, climb in, take photos with and simply enjoy on Saturday, October 22nd. This O.C.toberfest event takes place from 11am to 1pm and will include vehicles such as an Ocean City beach tractor, wheel loader, articulating bus, Beach Patrol ATV, Ocean City Police Cruiser, Boat and more.
- HOWL-O-WEEN PET PARADE – Located at North Division Street on the Boardwalk.
Bring your dog, cat, bird or other family pet for Ocean City’s “Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade”, October 22nd on the boardwalk near North Division Street. Dress up your pets and showcase your creativity on Ocean City’s historic Boardwalk or sit back, relax and cheer for your favorite contestant. Each entry gets their moment in the spotlight. Lots of prizes and surprises will be awarded. While the event is free to participate, donations of pet supplies and monetary donations will be collected to benefit the Worcester County Humane Society. Registration begins at 12noon with the pageant on the boardwalk beginning promptly at 1pm.
- DRIVE IN DISGUISE – from 27th Street south to the amusement pier.
Residents and visitors with a vintage Ocean City license plate are invited to ride down the Boardwalk during the annual OC Vintage License Plate Rally on October 22nd. Continuing with the Drive in Disguise theme, anyone wishing to decorate their car also will be invited to ride down the Boardwalk. Decorated cars will join the OC vintage plate cars during the rally, which will roll-off at 27th Street at 3 p.m. This year, instead of driving into the Inlet Lot, cars will line up on the concrete part of the boardwalk north of the pier. Voting and
award presentations will take place there. The public will be able to vote for their favorite decorated car. Each vote is one dollar. A People’s Choice trophy as well as additional trophies will be awarded. Bicycles are also welcome. Of course, the bicycles need to be decorated and participants need to register. There will be a category for best decorated bicycle and rider. In addition, various local organizations will have information booths set up and a DJ will play music. Several local businesses will offer a 15% discount to participants for the weekend.
There is no fee for those with an Ocean City ‘vintage’ license plate (these are not vintage car tags but the special Ocean City plate). There is a $25 donation fee for non-vintage license plate participants and those vehicles must be decorated. Proof of insurance is required for all participants. Proceeds from the event will be benefit the Ocean City Downtown Association. Registration forms are available at www.downtownassociation.net.
For additional information, contact Nancy Howard at 443-235-4405 or e-mail neffiehoward@comcast.net. If you do not have a City vintage plate and would like to obtain one, visit the City web site at www.oceancitymd.gov.
- TRUNK OR TREAT – On the boardwalk north of the amusement pier.
Trunk or Treat will take place on the boardwalk south of Caroline Street and north of the amusement pier as the Drive in Disguise (October 22nd) gets parked and set up. Drive in Disguise participants have the option of participating in this candy and treat give-away. The event is expected to begin at approximately 3:40 p.m. and will last as long as the participants have treats to give.
- SEASIDE 10 AND 5K – Inlet Parking Lot and Boardwalk.
The 23rd consecutive year for this wonderful family-oriented event promoting health and fitness will take place on October 29. This scenic Ocean City run is a fantastic way to gear up for the Halloween holiday. All are welcome to come wearing the most outrageous costumes you can dream up. The course utilized Ocean City’s historic boardwalk and main artery through the center of town to 69th Street and back. All 10 Miler finishers will receive a finisher’s medal. Register online at OCtrirunning.com or on site, October 29. Packet Pick-up begins at 7am with the 10 mile run starting at 9am followed shortly after by the start of the 5K race at 9:15am. Call 443-497-4324 or go to OCtrirunning.com for additional information, online registration, packet pick-up locations, age groupings and awards. This well-known event takes place rain or shine starting from Ocean City’s Inlet Parking Lot.
- THE GREAT PUMPKIN RACE – Located on the sand at North Division Street and the Boardwalk.
The fun continues with “The Great Pumpkin Race” on Saturday October 29th on the Boardwalk. Build your own pumpkin race car to bring and compete in this wacky and zany side-by-side down-hill race. Plus there will be lots of room to watch these exciting races with live play-by-play by the event announcer. Prizes will be awarded in each division as well as for creativity. If you’re ready to start building your ghastly but spirited race car, download the complete event rules from OCocean.com or SpecialEventPro.com. Registration and team check-in begins at 12noon with racing commencing at 1pm.
- SHORE CRAFT BEER FEST – Located at Sunset Park, S. Division Street, Bayside
The 2nd Annual Shore Craft Beer Fest will take place on Saturday, October 29th and will feature 15 Delmarva breweries, as well as two food trucks and live music by Alex and Shiloh. This event is sponsored by the Ocean City Development Corporation, the Town of Ocean City, and shorecraft.com. Mark your calendar and start planning to sample Delmarva’s best craft beers in a beautiful setting on the bayside in downtown Ocean City. Event hours 1:30pm to 4:30pm (with a special VIP admission at 12:30pm). General admission is $35 with VIP tickets set at $45. Designated drivers are $10. For additional information visit ShoreCraftBeer.com for additional information.
- POKEMON-GO BOARDWALK HUNT – Boardwalk from the Inlet to 1st Street.
PokemonGO took the world by storm in July and brings its “trainer” players out to capture Pokemon creatures and find new items to inventory at virtual Pokestops scattered around the globe. Ocean City’s historic boardwalk is a hotbed of activity for PokemonGO players with numerous Pokestops and several Pokemon Gym locations. Ocean City will “light up” the boardwalk for two hours from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday, October 29th by placing virtual lures at each Pokestop along the boardwalk from the south end to 1st Street. Charge your phone or other mobile device and don’t for get to bring a back-up battery to keep those devices charged for the length of your stay!
- LIVE CONCERT – “THE JANITORS” – At the Caroline Street Stage on the Beach by the Boardwalk
Bring your beach chairs and blankets for one last free outdoor concert by the ocean on Saturday, October 29th. “The Janitors” will bring you to your dancing feet in the sand, fueled by front man Danny Morgan’s soulful singing and enthusiastic footwork. Dave Kirkman’s funky drums, Raye Smith’s solid bass lines, Dale Leftwich’s tasteful guitar work and Randy Melton on keyboards round out the group. The Janitors emit an energy level and sonic fullness that rivals larger bands. Simply put, this band demands the audience’s attention. Their tight blend of Rhythm & Blues, 60s Soul, 70s Funk, Country, Classic Rock and current Top 40 Dance keep people of all ages dancing from the first song until the last. The band will take the stage at 4:30pm until 6pm allowing spectators enough time to grab food and walk the boards prior to the evenings OC Fright Lights finale event.
- OC FRIGHT LIGHTS – On the Beach next to the Boardwalk from N. Division Street to the Amusement Pier.
Ocean City, in partnership with Special Event Productions, TEAM Productions and Image Engineering, lights up the sky over the beach one more time for 2016. Lasers and active imagery on a 60’ diameter sphere will kick off the evening experience east of N. Division Street on Saturday, October 29th. Immediately following the conclusion of the laser show, the sky will come alive with fireworks all set to Halloween-themed music. Bring your beach chairs and blankets, grab your seating location early while capturing the other events the day will offer including a late afternoon concert nestled between the laser and fireworks shows. This dual event is free to attend and will begin promptly at 6:30pm. Event is subject to weather and wind.
- HALLOWEEN SPOOK OUT PARTY Northside Park Recreation Complex, 200 – 125th Street, Ocean City, bayside.
Get your Halloween costume ready and join all the other goblins at the Halloween “Spook Out” Party. Participants of all ages, including parents will fill the Northside Park gym for carnival games, arts & crafts, hayrides and snacks! Costume contests will be scheduled throughout the event. Event hours are 1pm to 3pm on Sunday, October 30, 2016. Price of Admission: A bag of individually wrapped candy per child. No preregistration is required.