Ocean City Announces Halloween Events and Welcome Night

OCEAN CITY – In the coming months, Ocean City will host the following events.
(Oct. 26) WELCOME NIGHT sponsored by the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce.  6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Sports and Civic Center, 6^th St. and Boardwalk. This is a NEW LOCATION for this year. Meet local groups, individuals and business organizations. Free admission, door prizes and give-aways from some exhibitors. Plenty of free parking at 6^th St. lot.
(Oct. 27) 69^th annual HALLOWEEN PARADE by The Ocean City Exchange Club from 6^th to 11^th streets on award-winning downtown Asbury Ave. starting 7:15 p.m. This Ocean City tradition remains one of the longest-running Halloween parades in the Tri-State area. Late entries may register the night of the parade at 6^th and Asbury Ave. beginning at 6:30 p.m.
There will be eight divisions including decorated floats competing for prizes and trophies. Music will be provided by several high school marching bands and the ever popular Original Hobo Band of Pitman, New Jersey. Remember to bring a can of food to the parade. The Boy Scouts are assisting the local Food Cupboard by “Scouting for Food” for those in need. For more information, call the Halloween Hotline at 1-800-813-5580.
(Oct. 27) ANTIQUE APPRAISAL NIGHT presented by the Ocean City Historical Museum at the Senior Center of the Ocean City Community Center, 17^th Street and Simpson Ave. Bruce Dooley and Bill Booth will appraise items from the public. If you wish to have something appraised, contact the Museum to register in advance, (609) 399-1801. Cost will be $5 per item, limited to three items per person. Appraisal participants should arrive at 6 p.m. Event is free and open to the public at 6:45 p.m.
(Oct. 29) TRICK OR TREAT IN THE DOWNTOWN: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at participating merchants on Asbury Ave. from 6^th to 11^th Sts.
(Oct. 31) CITYWIDE TRICK OR TREAT: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday.
(Nov. 5) TRAIL OF TWO CITIES: The 5K run/walk from Ocean City to Somers Point over the 9^th St. Bridge, steps off at 8 a.m. at the Transportation Center from 10^th and Haven Ave. The race will finish at John F. Kennedy Park in Somers Point.
Awards will be given to first-place male and female finishers and to the top 3 runners in each age group: 8-and-under, 9-11, 12-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over. The awards ceremony will be held at Kennedy Park after the race.
Cost is $25 in advance and $30 on race day at the Transportation Center at 7 a.m. Mail-in registration ends Oct. 29 and online registration ends 10 p.m., Wed. Nov. 2. Register online at www.ocnj.us/race-events. Race shirts guaranteed to pre-registered runners and walkers. No pets, skateboards or roller blades are permitted. Those who register in advance may pick up their race numbers and shirts 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4 at the Aquatic and Fitness Center, 1735 Simpson Ave. or 7 to 7:45 a. m. on race day at the transportation center. For information call (609) 399-6111.
Note: Transportation is provided to Ocean City before the race. 7:30 a.m. is the last bus leaving from Kennedy Park in Somers Point to bring participants to start line in Ocean City. There are also buses from Somers Point back to Ocean City after the race.   
(Nov. 9) MOSQUITO CONTROL LECTURE: The Ocean City Environmental Commission in partnership with the Ocean City Free Public Library continues its Environmental Lecture Series with a program by the Cape May County Department of Mosquito Control. Featured speaker will be Peter J. Bosak PHD, Department Superintendent. He will speak on Mosquito Biology, County Control Efforts and Mosquito Transmitted Diseases. Lecture is set for 6:30 p.m. in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall at the Library. Program is free and open to the public. For information call, (609) 399-2434 x 5222. 
(Nov. 10) QUIET FESTIVAL: Opening Ceremonies will be held at noon, at Mark Soifer Park across from City Hall, 9^th and Asbury Ave. Event features quiet relaxing entertainment including the inspirational Yawn Along to the tune of Beautiful Dreamer, Quiet Kites, Paper Airplanes in flight, the world’s only Wind Chimes Band playing their chart topper “Brother Can You Spare a Chime,” Nancy Fox, the Quiet Soprano, Quiet inspirational relaxing poems, bubbles galore and more. All in attendance will receive an “I Survived the 2016 Presidential Campaign Certificate” to celebrate the conclusion of the noisy, aggravating event and The Quiet Festival’s soothing programs that are assisting in the recovery from the weeks of hassle.
(Nov. 11) VETERAN’S DAY PROGRAM: 11 a.m. in the Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave.  For more information, call (609) 399-6111.   
(Nov. 12) The QUIET PET CHALLENGE of the Quiet Festival in the Senior Center of the Community Center, 17th and Simpson Ave. A contest for mice, hamsters, turtles, rabbits, ferrets, birds etc.  They will be judged for cuteness, most unusual pet, best decorated display/habitat, best costume, Super Hero themes and anything else the judges deem worthy. Also the public is invited to display a favorite teddy bear. Ribbons will be awarded and there will be a Best of Show award. The Turtle Singers are organizing a tortoise and the hare race and cartoonist Jerry Lukas is drawing free cartoons.   Ken Thorpe and crew will teach you how to make a paper airplane. There will also be a “Snore at the Shore” contest for quiet snorers. 
(Nov. 12-13) & (Nov.19-20) There will be two CHRISTMAS FINE ARTS & HANDICRAFT FESTIVALS. 60 different master crafters will be featured each weekend at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center, 6^th St. off Boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Crafters will feature quality items made only in the U.S.A.  You will find items ranging from Christmas décor, ceramics, gourmet foods to wreaths, jewelry, fine art and photography, toys, American Doll Clothes and much more. A $3 donation and rental fees benefit the Ocean City Food Cupboard and Atlantic City Rescue Mission. There will be free parking at the 6^th St. lot.  For more information, (609) 365-2239 or 1-800-822-4112.
(Nov. 19) EARLIER THAN THE BIRD in award-winning Downtown Ocean City from 8 a.m. to noon. It will be stuffed with savings and full of fun!  Shop in your PJs for a chance to win a prize! FREE Turkeys for the Best Dressed! Enjoy free coffee and give-aways at Jon & Patty’s Bistro, 6th and Asbury, Ocean City Coffee Company, 9^th and Asbury and Starbucks, 11th and Asbury. Register while you shop for a chance to win up to $150 in gift certificates from downtown merchants. There will be Horse and Carriage rides from noon to 3 p.m. For more information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ, access www.oceancityvacation.com  or Facebook at DowntownOCNJ.
(Nov. 25) Christmas in the Downtown, OUR MIRACLE ON ASBURY AVE., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Join merchants and the Chamber of Commerce in kicking off an old-fashioned holiday Christmas. Includes holiday entertainment, strolling carolers, a string band quartet, an appearance by the Phillie Phanatic and performers from the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company. Santa Claus will emerge from the City Hall roof top to cap the festivities. Call 1-800-BEACH-NJ for more information.
(Dec. 2) CHRISTMAS PARADE: 6:30 p.m. on Asbury Ave. from 6^th to 11^th St. Register at www.ocnj.us/christmas-parade.
(Dec. 3-4)  TRAIN SHOW: One of the City’s most popular Holiday attractions. NEW LOCATION: Ocean City Sports and Civic Center, 6^th and Boardwalk.  Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $3 for adults, $1 for Children. Features include trains, train parts, holiday decorations for home train displays, and memorabilia for sale. Large running displays by Lionel and the Garden Railroad Club. Train repairs by Dick Yard.  Dedicated to Jay Eggly who helped start the show.
THE OCEAN CITY FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY continues to offer an extensive array of free entertainment, educational programs and practical computer instruction. To receive its free newsletter with complete information, contact Julie at (609) 399-2434 ext. 5222.