Array of festivities planned for July 3, 4 and 5

By Mallory Panuska, Staff Writer

Fireworks will not blast off in Ocean City limits on July 4, but an array of other activities are planned in and around the resort this weekend and beyond to celebrate America’s independence.

As of earlier this week, these are the events listed for July 3, 4 and 5 along the shore:

Ocean City

Contestants compete in the 2021 hot dog eating contest at Fish Tales Bar and Grill in Ocean City. The annual contest is set once again for noon on July 4. FILE PHOTO

• The resort’s festivities will kick off at 7 p.m. on July 3 with a free concert by Mike Hines & the Look, followed by an “intimate” fireworks show at 9 p.m. at Northside Park as part of Sundaes in the Park.
• At 8 p.m. on July 5, American Idol star Jay Copeland will perform a free concert at Northside Park on 125th Street.
• Live music is set to begin at 8 p.m., July 5, on Caroline Street downtown, followed by a show by Celebration Fireworks Company at 9:30. City officials said the show will be different and “more intense’ than the ones the original vendor was planning for July 4 downtown and at Northside Park.
• Fish Tales Bar and Grill’s annual hot dog-eating contest will begin at noon on July 4, in the south parking lot of the restaurant on 22nd Street. The amateur contest is open to anyone over the age of 18 and the winner will receive at least $1,000 cash prize, a trophy and bragging rights for a year, according to a news release.

The contest will be made up of the first 20 people to pre-register. To register, visit the Bahia Marina Tackle Shop or Fish Tales Small Bar to sign up. Registration is $10 and required to hold a spot. Contestants must sign a waiver to participate.Ocean Pines

Ocean Pines

• According to a news release, the community’s annual July 4 festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. and last until 8:45 on Monday, July 4, at Veterans Memorial Park on Route 589 and Cathell Road. The event will feature carnival games, dry slides and bounce houses for children, as well as live music, and food and drink vendors.

Children’s wristbands are required for slides and bounce houses and will be $10. General admission is free and open to the public.

• At 9:15 p.m. until about 9:45, fireworks are set to launch from the north side of the pond by Cathell Road. A viewing zone will be fenced off from Manklin Creek Road to the Veterans Memorial. No viewing is allowed on Ocean Parkway, from Cathell Road to Manklin Creek Road.

Guests may bring lawn chairs and blankets and parking will be available in a marked area just south of the Sports Core Pool. In case of inclement weather, the fireworks show will move to Tuesday, July 5.

• At 8 a.m. on July 4, the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department’s annual Freedom 5K will begin at Veterans Memorial Park. A news release said a course will be set up through the scenic areas of the Pines and runners are encouraged to wear U.S.A.-themed gear.

Awards will be given to male and female first- through third-place finishers in nine different age groups, from 10 and under to 70 and older. An award will also be given to the best dressed runner.

Preregistration is $35 and open through July 3. Visit raceentry.com/races/ocean-pines-association-freedom-5k/2022/register to register. Day-of registration is $40 and starts at 7:15 a.m.

• Ocean Pines Farmers & Artisans Market is also set to piggyback on the popularity of the Fourth of July holiday by hosting hundreds of shoppers on Saturday, July 2. A news release from the community said the market takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at White Horse Park and will feature fresh, local produce, including local sweet corn, red tomatoes, summer squashes and blueberries.

Many Community organization, including the Town Cats, Kawanis Club, Jesse Klump Foundation, Friends of the Ocean Pines Library, and the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department will be at the market and the fire department will sell raffle tickets for the chance to win a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport 4×4. The winning ticket will be drawn on Dec. 10. For more information about the market, visit oceanpines.org/web/pages/farmers-artisans-market

Berlin

• The Town of Berlin’s annual fireworks show is set from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Heron Park. Allison Earley, the town’s economic and community development administrator, said spectators can watch from the nearby parking lot across from Burley Oak Brewing Company.

Snow Hill

• At 5 p.m. on Friday, July 1, the Town of Snow Hill is hosting its First Friday and Independence Day Celebration.

Shops on Green Street will have extended business hours, sales, specials and kids activities and Klassic Soul will play live music. Drinks will be on sale at Downtown Snow Hill Inc.’s cash bar. Local artisan vendor booths will set up on Bank Street, and a bounce house, food vendors, and music from DJ Smack will be at Sturgis Park.

The night will end with a fireworks show above the Pocomoke River.

This story appears in the print version of the Bayside Gazette on June 30, 2022.