Friday Night Fireworks Display Highlights Fourth of July Week Festivities

Independence Day is nearly upon us, and Ocean City has a full slate of events set for this weekend, highlighted by the fireworks display Friday night.

The Musical Fireworks Display begins at 9:30 p.m., with fireworks fired from a barge at sea off the Music Pier. The show will be a spectacular event visible from the Beach and Boardwalk.

In recent years, there have been private groups setting off their own fireworks. Ocean City Police have adopted a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to this situation.

Police Capt. Steven Ang told the Ocean City Gazette this weekend is the biggest event of the year in terms of volume of traffic and number of visitors, and that the Fourth of July is the busiest day of the year.

The fireworks display will be preceded by events sponsored by Air Circus on the beach starting at the Music Pier.

These include a Kite Festival competition with registration at 6 p.m. Entry is free. Kite awards in various categories will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Categories include Most Patriotic, Largest, Smallest, Highest Flying, Best Homemade, Best Stunt Flyer, Youngest Flyer and Oldest Flyer.

At 8 p.m., there will be a yo-yo demonstration and contest followed by a hula hoop competition at 8:30 p.m.

The popular band Tidal Wave will entertain in front of the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace, starting at 7:30 p.m. until about 8:45 p.m. The band will play again after the fireworks conclude.

During the day, there will be two bike parades.

The South Ocean City Association’s Parade starts at 10 a.m. at 40th and Central, with registration at 9 a.m. at 40th and Asbury.

The Gardens Civic Association’s Bike Parade also starts at 10 a.m. with registration at 9 a.m. at the Longport Bridge Parking Lot. Entry is free for both events.

Beyond the Fourth of July, the city has a whole slate of events lined up, beginning Wednesday with Julliard pianist Joseph Mohan performing a Gershwin Medley plus his American Tribute at the Music Pier, 8 p.m.

Baritone Neil Nelson will sing Gershwin favorites and the Pops plays Sousa and other patriotic songs. Tickets are $15/$10 at www.ocnj.us/boxoffice or call 609-525-9248.

On Thursday, July 3, the British Invasion Tribute begins at the Music Pier, 7 p.m. It will be a benefit for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post of Ocean City. The program will include the Beatles and much more.

There will be classic songs by British groups such as the Moody Blues, Dave Clark Five and Herman’s Hermits.

An American response follows with memorable hits by the Monkees, the Turtles, The Mamas and the Papas, Tommy James and more.

Tickets are $20 at Music Pier Box Office, (609) 525-9248 or www.ocnj.us/BoxOffice.

On Saturday, July 5, the Ocean City Nor’easters FC men’s soccer team hosts New Jersey LUS Parma at Carey Stadium, 6th and Boardwalk, 7 p.m.  Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for youth under 16.  Call 609-525-9999. There will be a mascot race at halftime.