Plus, events leading up to the big holiday celebration
One of South Jersey’s most anticipated spectacles is Independence Day at the Jersey shore.
For many, it’s a fixed tradition to be on the beaches and boardwalks for the shore towns’ display of fireworks. Natives and vacationers to the Jersey shore can testify that America’s birth is best celebrated in sandals and a bathing suit, accompanied by a tasty boardwalk treat.
Ocean City’s Independence Day weekend kicks off with a romantic comedy by Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna, It Had To Be You, from Friday to Sunday (June 29-July 1) at the Ocean City Repertory Theater. The play is being directed by the founder and producing artistic director Flossi Micciolo. Asbury Avenue is pressing on this summer into its second decade with new In-House Director Eddie Shiffler, appointed by Micciolo. Shiffler was a key component in Ocean City’s 125th Anniversary celebration and will now be helping to reorganize the non-profit organization.
The theater has been gaining a reputation for professional material and is the first time Ocean City has an official Performance Arts Center in its downtown.
“We’ve discovered that there was such a need in this community for an outlet for performing arts, especially amongst the kids,” said Flossi.
This Saturday, June 30, Ocean City is hosting the free Exchange Club Craft Show at the Music Pier. Vendors express their artistic sides and invite shoppers to check out their personal crafts that are for sale.
Sunday, soccer heats up at Carey Stadium where the Ocean City Nor’easters take on the Bermuda Hogges. The half-time events include a Zumba workout experience and a Euro 2012 Soccer Celebration. Meanwhile, Franklin, Tennessee composer, author and recording artist Michael Card, is playing a free concert at the Ocean City Tabernacle. Card is an American Christian singer-song writer, musician and radio host who has recorded over 31 albums and authored or co-authored over 24 books. He seeks to encourage his audiences to join in meaningful discussions with one another.
Sunday through Thursday, the Ocean City Pops will be presenting Crazy For You at the Hughes Performing Arts Center. In collaboration with the Ocean City Theatre Company, the musical is described as thrilling song and dance tunes of George Gershwin.
The arts in Ocean City spill over into Monday night with Beatlemania Now: a live musical concert experience that is said to be the ultimate tribute to the Beatles. The event will be held at the Music Pier with proceeds going to benefit the Ocean City VFW Post 6650.
America’s 236th birthday will be celebrated with two morning bike parades sponsored by the South O.C. Improvement Association and the Gardens Civic Association. Registration begins an hour before the parades at the Longport Bridge parking lot and 40th Street and Asbury Avenue. The Ocean City Tabernacle will also be having its weekly Farmer’s Market.
Preceding the highly anticipated fireworks display, Ocean City is also hosting a kite flying competition on the 9th Street Beach. Participants and visitors are invited to get settled in early for the fireworks by watching the skies for the kite competition. 9:30pm marks the start of Ocean City’s July 4 fireworks display on the 9th Street Beach just as Atlantic City begins its celebration to the north. Between the two islands’ simultaneous fireworks shows, the skies of Independence Day eve will carry on a true American tradition at the Jersey shore.
UPCOMING OCEAN CITY EVENTS
Friday, June 29 to July 1
‘It Had To Be You’
Ocean City Repertory Theater, 813 Asbury Ave. The Ocean City Repertory Theater presents It Had To Be You, a romantic comedy play by Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna directed by founder and producing artistic director Flossi Micciolo. $15. Sat. 8pm, Sun. 2:30pm. 457-6686. ocrep.org.
Saturday, June 30
Ocean City Exchange Club Craft Show
Music Pier Loggia, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Free. 9am–3pm 525- 9300.
Sunday, July 1
Michael Card in Concert
Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave. American Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author and radio host. Free. 7pm. 399-1915. octabernacle.org.
Nor’easters vs Bermuda Hogges
Carey Stadium, 6th Street & Atlantic Avenue. Half-time events include a Zumba workout Experience and a Euro 2012 Soccer Celebration. $8 Adults $4 Kids. 7pm. 525-9999. OceanCityFC.com.
Sunday, July 1, Tuesday, July 3, and Thursday, July 5
Ocean City Pops - ‘Crazy For You’
Hughes Performing Arts Center, 6th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Song and dance tunes of George Gershwin. In collaboration with the Ocean City Theatre Company. $25. 7:30pm each night. (Also a matinee show Thursday, 2pm). Tickets $25. ocnj.us.
Monday, July 2
‘Beatlemania Now’
Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. The Ultimate tribute to the Beatles. A live musical concert experience. Proceeds to benefit Ocean City Post 6650 VFW. $18. 525-9248. ocnj.us/boxoffice.
Wednesday, July 4
Fourth of July Celebration
9th St. beach. Kite flying competition at 5pm followed by entertainment. A spectacular fireworks display off 9thStreetbeach tops off the evening at 9:30pm. 525-9300. ocnj.us.
July 4th Bike Parade
Two locations:
Sponsored by the Gardens Civic Assoc. Registration 9am at the Longport Bridge parking lot. Parade begins at 10am. For more information call 609-525-9300.
Sponsored by the South OC Improvement Assoc. Registration 9am at 40th & Asbury Ave. Parade begins at 10am. For more information call 609-525-9300.
Farmer’s Market
O.C. Tabernacle, Wesley Avenue. Farmer’s Market every Wednesday. 8am-1pm. 525-9300.
Friday, July 6
Nor’easters vs New Jersey Rangers
Carey Stadium, 6th Street and Atlantic Ave. Half-time events include continuation of the July 4th celebrations, celebrate American Independence with the Nor’easters. $8 Adults $4 Kids. 7pm. 525-9999. OceanCityFC.com
Sam Robb Memorial Beach 5k & Fun Run
40thSt. beach. A beach run to benefit the Sam Robb Fund within Cure Childhood Cancer. The Sam Robb Fund supports a pediatric research fellow in oncology. Cure Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding target research and support of patients and families. For more information visit samrobb.comor call 1-800-443-CURE.
Saturday, July 7 to July 8
Ocean City Pops
Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Rodney Mack’s Big Band Brasscomes to the Music Pier, along with the POPS’ brass and percussion musicians. Tickets $15/10. 8pm. ocnj.us. 525-9300.
Sunday, July 8
Glad In Concert
Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave, free admission. 7pm. 399-1915. octabernacle.org.
Attractions:
Ocean City Arts Center
1735 Simpson Ave. Ocean City. June Exhibit: “I Remember Wanamaker’s.” Hours Mon.-Fri. 9am-9pm, Sat. 9am-3pm. Visit oceancityartscenter.org.
Ocean City Fine Arts League
608 Asbury Ave. June: “Flowers.” Gallery Hours: 10am-6pm Mon.-Sat. 10am-1pm Sun. 814-0308 or oceancityfineartsleague.org.
Ocean City Historical Museum
1735 Simpson Ave. Hours: 10am-4pm Tue.-Fri., 11am-2pm Sat. Free. Call 399-1801 or vist ocnjmuseum.org. n
Catch the fireworks on Wednesday, July 4!
PHOTO BY DON KRAVITZ
All money raised through a $10 cover charge will be divided and dispersed among two non-profit organizations — the Brigantine Marine Mammal Stranding Center and the Ocean City Repertory Theatre — each of which was severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
Although July 4 falls on a Wednesday this year, it doesn’t mean that the holiday fun will be in short supply in the southern New Jersey and Atlantic City region.
June is almost over and the newly finished Ocean City–Somers Point Bridge has been put to the test as vacationers have made their way onto the six-mile island. As the temperatures start to rise and July’s expected heat waves start sweeping across the Jersey shore, Ocean City is preparing for one of the island’s most popular weeks — the July Jubilee (June 25-29). The late Elsie Gillespie, who was the former president of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, came up with the idea of a “lead up” week to Ocean City’s July 4 celebration. “Elsie wanted to set up something special for people to do when they would come down...
“My first gig with Art Blakey’s two-drummer Big Band was ironically at the Berklee College of Music [where Peterson now teaches],” says Peterson. “It was a scary band.”
“We are very excited about all the new things to do and see in the Wildwoods in 2012,” says John Siciliano, executive director for the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority.
With the long awaited colossal marvel of concrete glistening in pre-Memorial Day weekend sun, spectators, local residents and reporters gathered at the waterfront of John F. Kennedy Park in Somers Point to celebrate the grand opening of the largest project ever undertaken by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
It’s Memorial Day weekend in Ocean City and that can only mean one thing: The ocean that has been chilled all winter long is about to be warmed up and set free, unlocked for a new summer season.
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