Normally Deedra Bowen, rental department manager at Berger Realty, finds that things start to slow down in late August, but this week she said the agency was almost at full capacity with rentals and that a lot of rentals were coming in last-minute for the week of August 25 as well.

"We're normally at full capacity for three weeks out of the season," she said. "We've actually had six this year where we've been fully booked."

She said that she thinks a combination of good weather and more people trying to vacation locally might account for the uptick in business.

Coastal Realty rental agent Eileen Lilly said that the "last two weeks in August are always slower," because families with children are getting ready to send their kids back to school, and some of those children play sports that start back up a few weeks before school starts.

But, she said, this is when she sees more senior citizens come down, because most do not have school-aged children.

Owner of Heritage Surf & Sport Jim Hennessy noticed that things have not been slowing down much in August at his stores, either.

"It's normal for things to kind of mellow out this time of year," he said. "But we just had someone in yesterday, and he said he tried 10 different places to get a four-bedroom rental, and didn't get one for this past week."

As for Hennessy's business, he said, "Everything is still quite robust. We're starting to get a transition, still getting a good amount of summer interest, but people are starting to do back-to-school shopping."

This is the time of year when Hennessy still rents out boards while, at the same time, sells long-sleeved shirts, pants and hooded sweatshirts.

"This was definitely a better year," said Hennessy. "Definitely seeing people were more comfortable with their spending habits; definitely trending upward as far as sales."

Although the schedule of events in Ocean City is also starting to slow down as the season comes to an end, there are still some upcoming events that should help attract vacationers and locals alike:

• On Monday, Aug. 20, American rock band Little Feat will perform at the Music Pier at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through TicketMaster at 1-800-745-3000 or at www.ticketmaster.com.
• On Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 21 and 22, the Ocean City Pops will present "Dancing and Romancing," a tribute to the 1930s, beginning at 8 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets are available at the Music Pier Box Office, or by calling 609-525-9248.
• On Saturday, Aug. 25, the Ocean City Theatre Junior Company will perform "Xanadu" at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for children younger than 12. For more information, call 609-525-9300.
• On Sunday, Aug. 26, the 30-piece Dave Stahl Orchestra will play its big band style beginning at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Tabernacle, free admission. The Ocean City Pops will also perform "Broadway at the Pops" at 8 p.m. on the Ocean City Music Pier.