“What’s Happening in Ocean City?”

OCEAN CITY – The City’s popular mile-long Spring Block Party is set for Sat., May 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Normally held the first Saturday in May, the party was scheduled one week later this year so as not to conflict with Mother’s Day.
The event extends from 5th to 14th Streets on Asbury Ave. and features over 400 crafters, plus many food vendors, entertainment, pony rides for children and public service displays. It is one of the largest events of its kind in the state.
Note: Parking will be free on all City lots for Saturday only.
The free parking closest to the block party will be at the Transportation Center, 10th and Haven Ave. in back of McDonald’s, at the Municipal Parking Lot, 5th and Asbury Ave. next to the Fire Department and at lots on Central Ave. between 7th and 9th Streets.
Entertainment is set from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along the Avenue. Scheduled to perform are Tidal Wave, the Bubba Mac Blues Band, Tony DeLuca one man band, the Ralph Roberts Trio, Keith Hickman and Lee Manko, a Frank Sinatra performer.
There will be free pony rides for children at the Tabernacle grounds, 6th and Asbury, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and public service displays at 9th St. between Asbury and Central Aves.
Talented crafters from throughout the East Coast will exhibit and sell their handmade products. Ocean City’s unique downtown stores and boutiques will offer sale items.
There will be a variety of food vendors. The Greek Food Festival that has been a standard with the Block Party since it began in 1979 will return to 9th and Asbury Ave.
Seafood, Caribbean Food, pulled pork, pizza, hot dogs, burgers, pretzels, popcorn, bagels and more will be available plus restaurants along Asbury Ave. and vicinity will be open.
Downtown merchants will also hold sidewalk sales on Sun., May 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Boardwalk merchants will feature table sales Friday through Sunday.
The Cape May County Howard Stainton Senior Center, 1735 Simpson Avenue, will hold an Open House: on Thursday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn about this new facility and its programs. Refreshments will be served, 609-399-0055.
On Sat., May 14 The Ocean City Post Office will be collecting non-perishable food for its annual May Food Drive for the Ocean City Food Cupboard. Please place donations by your mailbox in marked bags. The food items will be collected by your mail carrier and delivered to the Cupboard.
Needed items: Soup, tuna, canned meat, potatoes, beans, vegetables, fruit, macaroni and cheese, cereal and fruit juice. Also, shampoo, soap, deodorant, tooth paste/brushes, shaving cream, razors and lotion. Plus Toilet Tissue and Paper Towels.
On Sun, May 15, a Pancake Breakfast will be held at the American Legion Morvay-Miley Post 524 from 8 a.m. till noon at 3304 Bay Ave. Adults $5, children $3. Includes pancakes, sausage, coffee, tea, milk, juice. Proceeds benefit veteran’s projects.
Barks on the Boards: Ocean City’s popular dog walk on the Boardwalk is set for May 29. Registration begins 11:30 a.m., walk starts at noon at Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Canine Fashion and Talent Contest starts at 1 p.m. For information call 609-399-2018 or access www.hsocnj.org.
The St. Damien Religious Education Program is sponsoring a walk-a-thon on May 15 to benefit less fortunate Children world wide. Registration is $7 for children $10 for adults. All registrants receive T Shirts. There are two prizes for top sponsored walkers. The walk begins at noon on the parking lot of St. Frances Cabrini Church, 2nd and Atlantic Ave.
The public is invited to attend the first Esther C. Weil Student Music Competition on Tues., May 17 at 4:30 p.m. in the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. The program, sponsored by Friends of the Ocean City Pops, features 14 vocalists, seven instrumentalists and two pianists. Admission is free.