The Fall Block Party draws a crowd to Ocean City's downtown for shopping, food and fun. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
The Fall Block Party — one of Ocean City’s premier events — will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, along a mile of downtown Asbury Avenue.
More than 400 crafters, food vendors and entertainers will line Asbury Avenue between Fifth and 14th streets for the block party. The event helps draw tens of thousands of people to Ocean City to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather.
Entertainers and bands will perform at various spots along the Avenue between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Just a few of the perennial favorites include the Robert Boney Band (Seventh Street), Big Daddy (at Ninth Street), String Band (13th Street) and Keith Hickman (at 14th Street).
Pony rides for children will be available on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle (at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors including Asbury Avenue restaurants will offer food of every variety.
Street parking will be free at all metered spots and downtown parking lots, including at the Transportation Center lot (Ninth Street and Haven Avenue) and at the municipal lots on the 700 and 800 blocks of Central Avenue.
The weekend celebration also includes table sales by downtown and Boardwalk merchants with discounted merchandise set up between Sixth and 14th streets on the Boardwalk and Asbury Avenue throughout the weekend.
BREAST CANCER WALK ON SUNDAY:
The American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides” is a fundraising 5K walk on Sunday. The event supports breast cancer survivors, caregivers and families and is staged from the Ocean City Civic Center at Sixth Street and Boardwalk. The event starts at 8:30 a.m., with the walk going off at 10 a.m. Participants can get more information and register online at makingstrideswalk.org/OceanCityNJ.
OCTC CELEBRATES THE SIXTIES WITH “SHOUT:”
“SHOUT! The Mod Musical” takes audiences back to the music, style and freedom of the 1960s. The show features terrific new arrangements of such classic tunes as “To Sir with Love,” “Downtown,” “Son of a Preacher Man” and “Goldfinger.” Performances are at the Ocean City Music Pier at 7 p.m. October 11, 12, 18 and 19 and at 2 p.m. October 13 and 20. Tickets can be purchased at www.oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
The HERO Walk is held each year in Ocean City. (Photo courtesy of the HERO Campaign)COMING UP THIS MONTH:
OCT. 19 — Volunteer Beach Sweep: Volunteers are sought for the Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Check in and pick up supplies at the Ocean City Music Pier before the event. Please consider bringing a bucket for trash collection. Call 609-399-6111, ext. 9712 or email pwoc@ocnj.us to sign up.
OCT. 19 — Porsche Boardwalk Reunion: Porsches will be displayed from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Boardwalk from Sixth to 14th streets. More than 350 Porsches of models and years between 1954 and 2021 are expected. Free tech sessions on Porsche-related topics open to all at the Music Pier.
OCT. 20 — John R. Elliott HERO Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run: Support the HERO Campaign's efforts to raise awareness about the importance of safe and sober designated drivers, and to honor and remember those who have lost a loved one to a drunk driver. Check-in 9 a.m. at the Ocean City Civic Center. Register at www.herowalkrun.org.
OCT. 23 — Ocean City Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Welcome Night: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center. Meet Ocean City groups, businesses and organizations. Free event.
OCT. 24 — Halloween Parade: The 76th annual Ocean City Halloween Parade is set for 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. Registration is open for anybody who would like to participate. For more information, visit Ocean City Halloween Parade (ochp.blogspot.com).
OCT. 26 — Halloween Costume Skate: The Ocean City Skate Park at Fifth Street and Asbury Avenue will celebrate Halloween from 4 p.m. to dusk. Skateboarders are invited to come dressed for the holiday. There will be prizes for best costume and best trick, and candy for the participants.
OCT. 26 and 27 — Dog Days: Leashed dogs will be permitted on the Boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. All are welcome and encouraged to bring their favorite furry canine friend. Activities for Saturday include dog-specific vendors along the Boardwalk, photo-op stations, and the Humane Society of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year” announcement.
OCT. 26 — HSOC “Howl-O-Ween” Parade: Hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City. Contestants are encouraged to dress themselves and their pooch in Halloween costumes in the spirit of the season. Registration begins at 2 p.m. at the Sports & Civic Center. The parade begins at 3 p.m. and the procession is from 6th Street to 14th Street on the Boardwalk. Former Philadelphia Eagles player Vince Papale will be grand marshal. For registration and more information, visit ocnj.us/DogDay.
Nina and Arthur Galpern and their Irish setters Macca, left, and Hannah, get into the Halloween spirit at the 2023 Ocean City Howl-O-Ween Parade.
