(March 8, 2018) The Ocean Pines 50th Anniversary Parade will step off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 2 along Ocean Parkway, with a Community Family Day celebration immediately following the parade at Veterans Memorial Park.

“Most of us know how much fun we had with previous anniversary parades,” parade Chairwoman Carol Ludwig said. “This one should top them all.”

The Anniversary Committee is now accepting registration for parade participants. The committee invites marching bands, local businesses, organizations, clubs, groups and families to register.

“I am so proud of our three Worcester County high schools. Snow Hill, Pocomoke and Stephen Decatur are forming a combined marching band to strut down Ocean Parkway on our very special day,” Ludwig said.

The cost is $25 per group entry. The registration form is available online at www.oceanpines.org and at the Ocean Pines Administration Building, at 239 Ocean Parkway.

The parade, sponsored by Mediacom, The Power of 2 Team and Avery Hall Insurance, is free to onlookers and open to the public. There is no entry fee for eligible sponsors, but registration is required.

The Ocean Pines Police Department and Neighborhood Watch volunteers will direct traffic on the day of the event. Ocean Parkway will be closed northbound from Mumford’s Landing Road to St. Martin’s Lane from 9 a.m. until the parade ends. Parking will be prohibited along northbound lanes of Ocean Parkway.

The judges’ viewing area will be along Ocean Parkway at White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway. Three judges’ choice awards will be presented.

“We hope the entire community will save the date and come out to participate in the parade and the activities that will be available at the Community Family Day to follow,” Anniversary Committee Chairwoman Jennifer Cropper-Rines said. “It will be a great chance to get outside, meet your neighbors and have some fun.”

Ocean Pines will host a variety of anniversary events throughout the year, including a license plate raffle/auction fundraiser on Saturday, March 24 at 10 a.m. in the community center on 235 Ocean Parkway.

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, with the assistance of the Ocean Pines Association, will roll out an official Ocean Pines, Maryland license plate. Only 50 license plates will be available at the March 24 fundraiser. The first 10 will go to the highest bidders and the others will be raffled off.

Raffle tickets are $50 each and available for purchase at the Ocean Pines Administration Building. Raffle winners do not have to be present at the March 24 fundraiser to redeem their license plate.

For more information on anniversary events or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Denise Sawyer, director of marketing and public relations for the Ocean Pines Association, at 410-641-7717 ext. 3006 or dsawyer@oceanpines.org.