'Surprising' Turnout for Block Party Despite Weather

Crowds filled nine blocks of Asbury Avenue for Ocean City's annual Fall Block Party on Saturday (Oct. 12), despite lingering rain from a slow-moving coastal storm.

Ocean City saw intermittent drizzle on Saturday morning, but the weather didn't scare off faithful visitors to the marquee event of the resort's fall season. 

Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer said the city could not yet estimate how many people attendied the Block Party, but looking out over a crowded intersection of Asbury Avenue, he said, "It's a surprisingly good turnout."

Patches of blue sky showed up in the early afternoon, and it appeared that the storm was moving away. But one final round of heavy rain and wind sent visitors and vendors scrambling for cover at about 3 p.m.

Ocean City's spring and fall Block Parties include hundreds of craft vendors setting up tables and tents along a mile of downtown Asbury Avenue between Fifth and 14th streets. The event includes food, musical entertainment and kids' activities, including pony rides on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle.

Because the craft vendors that form the foundation of the event typically travel to similar festivals throughout the year, Ocean City's block parties have always been rain-or-shine events, according to Ocean City Communications Manager Laurie Howey.

A fireworks display that had been scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 12) following the block party was canceled. Rough seas prevented a barge from launching the display safely.

A seafood festival continues as scheduled at the Ocean City Music Pier 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday (Oct. 13 and 14). The event features local seafood restaurants and vendors.  The seafood festival will be held rain or shine.

Boardwalk merchants will hold table sales starting Saturday, Oct. 12, and ending Monday, Oct. 14. Downtown merchants will hold sidewalk sales on Sunday and Monday.

Customer Appreciation Weekend at Playland's Castaway Cove includes a $10 wristband good for unlimited rides 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 13 (Sunday).