The Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday this year, and with good weather in the forecast, Ocean City is expected to be jammed all week.

Ocean City survived a powerful line of thunderstorms on Saturday, June 30, that left much of the region without power. And sea breezes have been taking the edge off the heat that has been baking the mainland.

Here's everything you need to know to take advantage of the holiday week.

The Traffic

The new Route 52 causeway is open to four lanes of traffic (two in each direction) between Somers Point and Ninth Street in Ocean City. Officials celebrated the completion of the roadway portion of the project in May, and work on the mid-causeway visitors center, boat ramps and bike paths and other amenities is expected to be complete by the end of 2012.

But even with the new causeway complete, traffic is expected to back up on the holiday (July 4).

Check for traffic backups and accidents in real-time on Ocean City Patch's traffic map.

__________

Bring Ocean City to your news feed. "Like" Ocean City Patch on Facebook.
__________

The Vitals

• Beach tags are required for all beachgoers 12 and older. Where to Buy 2012 Beach Tags. 
• The Ocean City Beach Patrol protects 43 beaches in Ocean City from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Swim only at protected beaches. The OCBP does have extended hours at three downtown beaches on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.
• The city sponsors a trolley service that runs along the beach blocks in the evenings. See more information.
• Guide to finding WiFi in Ocean City.
• Survival guide to Ocean City's crosswalks.
• The city is testing new parking meters that accept credit cards.
• The separated sidewalk is not complete, but the new Route 52 causeway in now open to bicycle traffic.

The Events

• Fireworks: Ocean City's fireworks display starts at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. The display will be fired from a barge in the ocean off the Music Pier (between Eighth and Ninth streets on the Boardwalk). Music will piped through speakers on the Boardwalk and the downtown Asbury Avenue shopping district to accompany the display. Kool 98.3 FM will simulcast the music, and it will be available at that frequency through the tune-in app on smartphones.
• Bike Parades: In Ocean City, kids don't watch the Fourth of July Parade — they ARE the parade. Two bicycle parades — one at each end of the island — are scheduled for Wednesday morning (July 4). The South Ocean City Parade begins at 40th Street and Asbury Avenue at 10 a.m. with registration starting at 9 a.m. The Gardens Civic Association Bike Parade forms at 10 a.m. at the base of the Ocean City-Longport Bridge. Registration is 9 a.m.
• Kite-Flying Contest: Air Circus will sponsor a kite-flying contest on the beach at Ninth Street at approximately 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4.
• Family Events All Week: The Ocean City Boardwalk sponsors a Mummers Night, a Family Night and a Character Night. The downtown shopping district has a farmers market and entertainment on various days. See this events schedule.
• Saturday, June 30: Ocean City Exchange Club Craft Show 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ocean City Music Pier Pavilion. 
• Sunday, July 1: Recording artist, Michael Cord will be featured in Concert, 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave. Call 609-399-1915 or visit www.octabernacle.org. 
• Sunday, July 1: Nor'easters Soccer Team vs. Bermuda Hogges 7 p.m. at Carey Stadium, 6th and Atlantic Ave. Half time events include a Zumba Workout and Euro 212 Soccer Celebration. Admission $8 for adults, $4 for children, free entry to any player on FC summer teams. Call 609-525-9999 or visit www.OceanCityFC.com. 
• July 1-3-5: (Thurs. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) the Ocean City Pops presents the Broadway Musical CRAZY FOR YOU, the thrilling song and dance tunes of George Gershwin. The program is in collaboration with the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company, Michael Hartman, director, at the Hughes Performing Arts Center, 6th and Atlantic Ave., 7:30 p.m., matinee Thurs. at 2 p.m. Tickets $25, available at the Music Pier Box Office 609-525-9248 or visit www.ocnj.us. Sponsors: Jilly's in memory of Beverly Kreisberg, Primo Pizza, Joel Mott lll and the McMahon Agency. 
• Monday, July 2: BEATLEMANIA NOW will be performed at 8 p.m. at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terr. Tickets $18 at the Music Pier Box Office, 609-525-9248 or www.ocnj.us/boxoffice. Proceeds benefit Ocean City VFW Post 6650. See more information.
• Tuesday, July 3: The former Philadelphia mayor and Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell signs his new book at Sun Rose Words & Music. See detail.