Ice Rink Among New Ocean City First Night Attractions

With a block of the boardwalk between Fifth and Sixth streets demolished for an off-season reconstruction project and Gillian's Wonderland Pier unable to open, an array of First Night activities will move to nearby Carey Stadium and to the adjacent parking lot at Fifth Street and Boardwalk.

The new programs will feature everything from the largest ice rink south of Rockefeller Center to “Bouncy,” the world’s tallest snowman, a 30-foot inflatable.

Other new attractions include a Dixie Dragonfly Swing Ride with 10 swings that hold up to 20 adults or 30 children, a trackless train ride around the ice rink and an up-and-down Peanut the Elephant Ride. These attractions will be available from 4 to 8 p.m. Pony rides are scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. at the same location.

Skates will be provided for use at the 80-by-40-foot ice rink at the Fifth Street parking lot or First Nighters may bring their own. The rink can accommodate up to 100 skaters at a time.

The adjacent Ocean City Sports and Civic Center will feature four new inflatables from 4 to 7 p.m. The Fabulous Grease Band will entertain there from 9 p.m. till midnight.

Ocean City’s popular New Year’s Eve Gala roared back on Dec. 31, 2012, just two months after Superstorm Sandy and entertained 10,000 people. Admission remains at just $15 per person, “The Best Entertainment Value at the Jersey Shore.” 

Admission buttons are available on line at www.firstnightocnj.com, can be ordered by credit card by calling (609) 399-1412 and are also available at the Welcome Center on the new Route 52 (Ninth Street) causeway. Buttons will soon be available at Stainton’s Square, 8th and Asbury Ave. in Ocean City.

This year’s program, its 22nd consecutive edition, starts with opening ceremonies at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace 4 p.m. and concludes with a spectacular fireworks display at midnight.

Headliners this year will be the Original Blue Notes performing at the Music Pier Auditorium at 8 and 9 p.m. and the Trammps scheduled at that venue 10 and 11 p.m.

In addition, First Night offers an extensive program of entertainment including a children’s show Rapunzel and the Broadway Hit Smokey Joe’s Café: popular Juggler, Chris Ivey; nationally acclaimed, magician, Chad Juros; the Jungle John Animal Show; Broadway By Request; the Grease Band; the Norristones Doo Wop performers; the Ocean City Pops Orchestra; the Dinosaur Zoo in the High School gym; the Mainstage Singers, Allo Magic and fun, the Turtle Singers; Dan Chain, Mentalist; the Lucky Guess Game Show; world  renowned Abbott and Costello performers; a Barber Shop Quartet; the Bubba Fan Gospel Group, the Paisley Pickles, telescope observation of the skies at the High School Planetarium, the Veggie Tales, the Disney Pixar movie shown hourly at the Moorlyn Theater from 6 to 11 p.m. and more.

The Ocean City Restaurant Assn. will again offer “A Taste of the Jersey Shore” with hourly seating from 4-8 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria. Book reservations and see extensive menu on line at www.EatInOCNJ.com.

There will be free parking at City lots and a free jitney service to take First Nighters to entertainment spots. Complete information will be in the program book provided to all First Night button holders.

First Night will be followed by First Day at the Beach featuring a First Dip in the Ocean at 2p.m., preceded by 5K Boardwalk Run at 1 p.m. beginning at the Music Pier, plus First Day Shopping Bargains all day at downtown Asbury Ave. For information, call 609-525-9300.

— News release from the City of Ocean City