Uptown Beach Bash Weekend Features Bikini Parade Saturday, Live Concerts Sunday

OCEAN CITY – The first Uptown Beach Bash takes place this week, and Brad Hoffman of Spark Productions is happy to announce that the entire event is free and open to the public.

Starting on Friday, Aug. 24, the Kick-off Bay Party and Paddle Board Regatta will be held at BJ’s on the Water on 75th Street. This event will include pre-registration for Saturday’s Bikini Parade from noon-5 p.m.

Dawn Ehman of OC SUP & Fitness will be on hand to manage the paddle board race. To start off the day, paddle board clinical and lessons will be provided, followed by the race and a themed paddle board parade will finish it up.

“Decorate your paddle board … and we are going to judge you and there is going to be rewards and prizes,” Hoffman said.

On Saturday, an attempt will be made to break the Guinness World Record for the longest bikini parade that will be starting at the Princess Royale and moving north one mile to finish at the Carousel. The Guinness World Record for a bikini parade was recently set with 1,085 participants in China.

The first 450 women to line up for the bikini parade will receive a beach bag and everybody who walks in the parade will receive a certificate of participation.

“It’s building momentum, we are getting some pre-registrations but I just want all the locals, the moms the daughters, the friends, to come out and walk in this thing and show that Ocean City can do it,” Hoffman said. “It’s all free and it’s for charity. We have gotten so much support from the business community with contributions and sponsorships for the bikini parade it is now free to anybody who wants to walk.”

Instead of collecting registration fees from participants, Spark Productions hit the streets and sold bikini team sponsorships to the local businesses and have reached a goal in charitable donations where each charity will receive at least $800 if not more.

All donations will be given to Relay For Life of the American Cancer Society, the Surfrider Foundation, and Diakonia.

Prior to the parade, the Princess Royale will be hosting a kickoff party, 1-3 p.m., and that’s also where final registration for the bikini parade will take place from 11 a.m.-2:45 p.m., with the parade starting at 3 p.m. Following the parade, the Carousel will host an awards ceremony, 3-6 p.m.

Late last week word was received The Travel Channel was interested in including Ocean City’s bikini parade in one of its segments on beach destinations focusing in a light-hearted way on the “seven pleasures.” Big Fish Entertainment, a Bethesda-based production company, plans to film the bikini parade on Saturday from start to finish. Hoffman said producers estimate the show will be aired this winter.

On Saturday night, the celebration will move across Coastal Highway to the Blue Ox for a true Hawaiian style luau party starting at 7 p.m. Colossal Fossil will be playing music while a full pig will be roasting.

“Put on your best Hawaiian shirt and bring your lady out and come to the Luau to wrap up the bikini parade,” Hoffman said.

On Sunday, Aug. 26, Local Palooza will be held at Northside Park from noon-7 p.m. with Sundaes at the Park taking over until 9 p.m. It will include 10 bands playing a variety of genres of music.

“This will be the largest outdoor music festival in Ocean City,” Hoffman said. “You can never see all of these bands all in one place for in Ocean City.”

The band line-up includes Hot Sauce Sandwich, Bryan Russo, Blake Haley, Monkee Paw, Aaron Howell, Full Circle, Electric Company and Fallen Down 20, and Mary Lou and the Untouchables will close the show on the park’s main stage as part of the city’s final Sundaes in the Park event of the season.

An Ocean Art Show will be included where artists will be selling beach-related goods, such as paintings, photos, jewelry, and sculptures. The Monster Energy BMX stunt team will be on the scene to entertain as well as kid games and activities will be offered and other family entertainment.

Following Local Palooza, the Blue Ox will host Ox-A-Palooza with specials and live music.
For more information on the Uptown Beach Bash, visit www.uptownbeachbash.com.

Schedule of Events
Friday, Aug. 24
From 1-5 p.m., Kick Off Bay Party & Paddle Board Regatta at BJ’s on the Water

Saturday, Aug. 25
11 a.m.: Bikini Parade registration opens at the Princess Royale on 94th Street
1-3 p.m.: Start Line Party at Princess Royale
3-6 p.m.: Finish Line Party at the Carousel
7 p.m.: Luau & Bikini Parade party at the Blue Ox Bar & Grill on 127th Street

Sunday, Aug. 26:

Noon-9 p.m.: Local Palooza, featuring 12 live bands, Ocean Arts Show, Bike Stunt Show, kids activities and Sundaes in the Park.