The daily boardwalk flag-raising ceremony – a beloved tradition in Ocean City – will continue at the Ocean City Music Pier this summer. The event begins for the season on Friday.

The ceremony will start at 9 a.m. every day from May 27 through Sept. 11 in 2022. The event includes the playing of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A" and the national anthem. A flagpole in front of the Music Pier has been dedicated to the memory of three veterans from Ocean City: Joe Caserta, James “JR” Robinson and Bill Cruice.

Ocean City will celebrate two other events on Friday, May 27 to mark the opening of Memorial Day Weekend and the summer season.

UNLOCKING OF THE OCEAN AND BUSINESS PERSONS PLUNGE

When: Always at noon the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend. That’s 12 p.m. May 27, 2022.

What: City officials and local merchants celebrate the coming of another summer season with a ceremonial “unlocking of the ocean.” They turn a large wooden key to open the beach. That clears the way for fully clothed merchants to take the first dip of the summer – marching into the ocean to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Why: Tradition. The “unlocking” ceremony has been held for more than a century in Ocean City.

Where: Ninth Street Beach in Ocean City, NJ.

Who: Mayor Jay A. Gillian leads the ceremony, which includes representatives of the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, City Council and the Ocean City Beach Patrol. Local Realtor John Walton leads the Business Persons Plunge. Reigning Miss New Jersey Alyssa Sullivan will sing the national anthem.

More Info: Visit oceancityvacation.com or ocnj.us for all information on Ocean City.

Ocean City, New Jersey
861 Asbury Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 399-6111
www.ocnj.us