Ocean City’s First Night Offers New Year’s Fun for Little Cost

OCEAN CITY – First Night, Ocean City’s New Year’s Eve celebration, offers a variety of entertainment for families and individuals at a reasonable cost.
The holiday gala features 60 entertainment programs at central locations from 4 p.m. till midnight for just $14. There are fireworks at midnight, weather permitting.
Opening ceremonies will be held 4 p.m. at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. It will include a ribbon cutting and greeting by city officials, entertainment by the Main Stage Singers and face painters and a trinket give away.
A First Night admission button will entitle bearer access to Wonderland Amusement Park from 5-9 p.m. and Gillian’s Miniature Golf.
The entertainment program features events for every age group. Back Beat, a Beatles Tribute group is scheduled. Three-time Grammy nominee Trout Fishing in America will entertain as will the popular Ocean City Pops Orchestra, the Grease Band, Hegeman, String Band and Bob Ferris Big Band Orchestra.
There will be an array of entertainment that appeals to children and grown ups alike including the Give and Take Jugglers, the Jungle John Reptile Show, storyteller Jim Albertson, the Allo Magic, Comedy and Puppet Show, Chris Ivey Juggling, the magic of Chad Juros, the Turtle Singer and family-friendly Ryan and Friends comedian and ventriloquist.
There will be Inflatables for children to bounce on, a full-scale production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” by the Ocean City Theater Company, Broadway by Request featuring your favorite show tunes, Doo Wop singers, barbershop favorites, a gospel choir, the Cape Shore Chorale, folk singer Carl Howell, Japanese drummers, Country Joe and the Honky Tonk Heroes, the Keystone Boychoir, youth band 1-2-3 Draw, pianist Andrew Hink playing music from the Beatles, Billy Joel and his own compositions.
For information, contact the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, (609) 399-1412 or the Ocean City public relations office, (609) 525-9300. First Night Admission buttons are on sale at Downtown Gillian’s, 838B Asbury Ave. across the street from City Hall or by calling (609) 391-0060. You can also order buttons on line at www.firstnightocnj.com.
Buy your button now and get a free copy of the Martin Z. Mollusk Story, “Rhyme and Punishment.” Martin Z. Mollusk, the city’s weather predicting Hermit Crab, is being honored by First Night for his 35 years of service to the community. His image will be on First Night Admission buttons and city beach tags in 2011.
Parking will be free throughout the city. Jitney transportation to entertainment sites will be available free from 6 p.m. till midnight.
First Night sponsors an Angel Fund for families and individuals who cannot afford admission buttons. To support the fund or receive buttons, contact the public relations office at (609) 525-9300.