Congratulations to our new Miss Ocean City, 16-year-old Ocean City High School junior Taylor Mulford, who was crowned Saturday on the Ocean City Music Pier. Another week of pageantry in Ocean City includes the Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant on Wednesday (August 14), the Little Miss Ocean City Pageant on Friday (August 16) and the Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant on Saturday (August 17). 

The original beauty contest for crustaceans returns on Wednesday. In an annual tradition, Ocean City celebrates the beauty of hermit crabs with contestants vying for the coveted Cucumber Rind Cup. All families, kids, businesses and organizations are invited to enter their crustacean in the competition on August 14. 

The pageant begins at 6 p.m. on the beach at Sixth Street with registration for competitors opening at 5:30 p.m. The pageant promotes responsible ownership of hermit crabs and features them displayed in elaborately themed dioramas. The winner gets to travel a flowery runway to take its reign.

The pageant is followed immediately by the annual Hermit Crab Races with the speediest crustaceans competing for the top prize. Both events are free to watch or join. For more information, call 609-399-6111. 

The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The pageant will include girls ages 8 to 11 competing in talent and other categories. Reigning Little Miss Stella Fleming will crown her successor at the conclusion of the pageant. Tickets for the event are $15 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.

The Music Pier will host the annual Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17.  Contestants will compete in interview, talent, evening gown and onstage question in the pageant. Junior Miss Ocean City 2024 Sarah Avellino will crown her successor after a dynamic year of service.  Contestants range in age from 12 to 15 and are either year-round residents in Ocean City, attend Ocean City High School, or are the daughters of Ocean City property owners. Like the Little Miss Pageant, tickets for the event are $15 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.

Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Ocean City serve as ambassadors for the City of Ocean City at iconic traditions like Night in Venice, Pamper Scamper, Baby Parade, Christmas Parade, Wacky Wednesday activities and more.

FISHING PIER OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, AUG. 15

The rescheduled open house at the Ocean City Fishing Club pier at 14^th Street and Boardwalk is set for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, August. 15. It had originally been scheduled for Aug. 8 but was postponed due to rain and thunderstorms.

The public is invited to tour the private pier. The OCFC encourages visitors to bring non-perishable foods or make a cash donation to benefit the Ocean City Food Cupboard. More than 1,000 people at the first of two open houses on August 1, brought 220 pounds of non-perishable food and donated $895 to help feed the needy. The OCFC has been holding open houses on the pier to benefit the local food agency since its centennial celebration in 2013.

The OCFC, a private fishing club, has a strong commitment to community involvement through programs that include its open houses, the youth fishing tournament, awarding scholarships and advocating for recreational fishing. Founded in 1913, it is the oldest, continually operating fishing club in the United States.

TICKETS ON SALE FOR ‘GREASE’ THROUGH AUG. 15

The Ocean City Theatre Company and the Ocean City Pops invite you to rock and roll with the hit musical “Grease” at the Hughes Performing Arts Center with performances on August 13, 14 and 15. 

The show features many recognizable hits like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin' ” and “We Go Together.” Additionally, several songs from the iconic movie including “You're The One That I Want,” “Sandy,” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” will be included with special arrangement by Robert Stigwood.

This collaborative production features a cast selected through a professional audition process and the talented musicians of the Ocean City Pops. 

Performances run August 13, 14, and 15 at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on August 15 at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center (within Ocean City High School at 501 Atlantic Avenue). Visit www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or call 609-399-6111 for tickets.

TICKETS ON SALE FOR ELI YOUNG BAND ON AUG. 21

Tickets for a summer country music concert featuring the Eli Young Band are on sale now. The band will bring its “10 Years: 10,000 Towns Tour” to the Ocean City Music Pier at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 21.

College classmates formed the band 20 years ago, and the Associated Press has celebrated the group as “a smart, relevant antidote” to clichés in country music. The band has amassed 14 Billboard charting singles, including four No. 1 hits, including “Crazy Girl,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” “Love Ain’t” and “Drunk Last Night.” The band won an Academy of Country Music award for Song of the Year and received nominations for multiple Grammy, CMA, CMT, ACA and Teen Choice awards.

The musical band of brothers – Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson – play their own instruments, write their own songs and cling fast to their Texas roots. While selling out venues from coast-to-coast as strong headliners, the Eli Young Band has also shared the stage with Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Chris Young, Darius Rucker and Dave Matthews Band. 

Visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by the Music Pier Box Office to purchase tickets.

GREEN FAIR RETURNS TO MUSIC PIER ON FRIDAY

Ocean City will host a Green Fair under the covered loggia of the Ocean City Music Pier from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. The community-wide event is designed to educate and encourage people of all ages to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. The displays will allow attendees to learn about energy efficiency and incentives, participate in interactive activities, and receive promotional items. The Green Fair is sponsored by the City of Ocean City and the Ocean City Environmental Commission. The event is free to attend, and the Music Pier is located on the Ocean City Boardwalk between Eighth Street and Ninth Street.

ALSO THIS WEEK

AUGUST 18 – Star Wars & Beyond, The Musical Legacy of John Williams: With a career spanning eight remarkable decades, John Williams has touched the lives of millions around the world with his movie music. Expect to hear big hits (Star Wars, Jaws), epic soundscapes (War Horse, Far & Away), along with first-ever performance in the state of New Jersey of music from Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker! The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Visit www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or call 609-399-6111 for tickets.

AUGUST 19 – The Machine Performs Pink Floyd: The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets available at etix.com. 

AUGUST 20 – Let’s Sing Taylor, A Live Band Experience Celebrating Taylor Swift: The concert begins at 5 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets available at etix.com.