Community Corner

Ocean City to Thank Visitors with August Fireworks Display

A summer 'Thanksgiving' celebration will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Ocean City will celebrate Thanksgiving twice this year. Later in November, but first on Saturday, Aug. 24, when it will treat its loyal vacationers to an evening of entertainment capped by a gigantic fireworks display.

“We have a lot to be thankful for,” said Michele Gillian, executive director of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

“First we were able to bounce back quickly from Hurricane Sandy, thanks to immediate and decisive action by the city and the efforts of an army of volunteers headed by OCNJ CARE. Assistance Centers were set up immediately in order to feed and clothe those in need. By New Year’s Eve, we were able to host 10,000 visitors during our popular First Night celebration.

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“We are fortunate to have very loyal residents, vacationers and summer residents who enjoy living and vacationing in a family-oriented town," Gillian said. "We were blessed by the completion of a new $400 million causeway that has become a major attraction in itself. It provides an immensely popular recreational facility including biking and walking paths overlooking the scenic Great Egg Harbor Bay and Ocean City landscape plus fishing and boating docks."

The celebration will begin at 7:30 p.m. in front of the Ocean City Music Pier with a program of nondenominational “prayer and song” by local clergy and area choirs. At 8 p.m., entertainment on the Boardwalk will feature bands, strolling entertainers and costumed characters. At 10 p.m., there will be a fireworks display ignited from a barge in the ocean and visible from the Boardwalk.

Find out what's happening in Ocean Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Our business community is bouncing back, for which we should be very thankful. We should have a decent season if the weather continues to cooperate,” Gillian said. 

“We would also like to thank the generous sponsors who are making this celebration possible. They include the Pepsi Cola Company, the Wagman Corp., a major supplier of the new causeway construction, Shamrock Towing, the Ocean City Tourism Commission and the Boardwalk Merchants Assn. with special assistance from Chuck Bangle of Manco and Manco.”

Rain date for the celebration is August 25. For information, contact the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-BEACH-NJ.

— News release from Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer


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